High School Musical On Rockdale Stage

Disney’s High School Musical is set to take to the stage at Rockdale Town Hall (NSW) from September 26 to October 5, 2014.  Chris Scarpellio (pictured below), who directs this Rockdale Musical Society production, talks Disney movies, and putting High School Musical on the stage.

High School Musical Director Kenny Ortega has created some of Disney's most iconic movies - which of these is your favourite and why?

As much as I want to stand behind the High School Musical Franchise, hands down it has to be Hocus Pocus. For me, this film is a real testament to the magic of Disney. I think to this day the film still holds its own as an excellent and very entertaining Disney live-action piece. When this movie came out, I was but a youngster and I guess I fell in love with it then as not only was it a way to re-position the adventure genre in terms of content (not a gun, rocket or pirate in sight), I suppose it was one of the first movies where I really bought into the concept of suspending my disbelief (and believed that I was watching 3 actual witches, rather than 3 well-known actresses in costume).

What is your favourite scene in HSM? Do you think you'll find a new favourite during rehearsals?

Ooh - that's a tough one. If I had to pick, I would say it's the moment where Troy and Gabriella first discover their ability to sing alone and then with each other. It's such a pivotal moment in the show and the way that Cassidy (Gabriella) and Josh (Troy) are playing it makes my heart melt every time - so I know the audience will follow suit. As for a new favourite - let's just say I have a new found respect for "Getcha Head in The Game" in Act I after this week's rehearsals thanks to the work of our very clever choreographer - but you'll have to come and see the show to find out why....

Why do you think the High School Musical story has resonated so much with audiences all over the world and what can Rockdale Musical Society bring to it that no one else can?

High School Musical is one of those phenomena that I believe is so very successful as it references many of the great classics in contemporary Musical and allows many of the archetypal moments, characters and themes that a wide range of audiences can recognise and relate to immediately. At its heart, High School Musical has taken the 'best of the best' from the world of Musical Theatre and hand delivered a story that really gives audiences of all ages the best bang for its buck. I think audiences of all ages respond to this show so well because it is both familiar and surprising at the same time. We see characters and a story that reflects back to us our own high school experiences, classic storylines and archetypal characters but with an exciting, fresh and new look and feel. What appeals to me personally is the really clever way in which the book and the score deliver a story that we already know (or feel we know) - and that's the reason that audiences young and old have fallen in love with it time and time again to create what is now a new classic.

As for our production? This is a show that has been produced and performed by a countless number of companies and schools alike and I believe that each production is interpreted in its own way and brings something unique which cannot be recreated. The fact that there is so much potential to continually add layers to this story means that RMS can bring what we are most famous for - talent, commitment and heart. We have a great team on board and I'm very sure that our audiences will be blown away with the energy and collectively pulsating heart of the cast as they strive to deliver the story to perfection, with outstanding (and incredibly snazzy) choreography by Steph and equally fabulous Musical Direction by our talented MDs Ellie and Hannah.

Disney’s High School Musical On Stage!

September 26 – October 5, 2014

Rockdale Town Hall

www.rockdalemusicalsociety.com

0433 990 896