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"High School Musical" was a phenomenon for the ages.
So nobody in the entire world was surprised when "High School Musical 2" came along.
The stage version of "High School Musical" was also a phenomenon for the Ephrata Performing Arts Center, becoming the biggest hit in the theater's history.
So, surprise, surprise. Here's "High School Musical 2," stage version.
Director Kevin Ditzler is back as are some, but not all, of his cast.
Most of the leads in "HSM" have graduated from high school and are in college now.
"Kind of like real life," says Ditzler, who was planning to have a low-key fall, but then "HSM2" beckoned.
"I wanted to relax this fall," Ditzler says. "But when I heard they might be doing 'High School Musical 2' I definitely wanted to be involved."
Why? After all, Ditzler describes directing the 31 teenagers in the show as "herding cats."
"I liked the fact that we had created our own little group (in 2007) and it still exists today," he says. "The kids support each other, they've become great friends. It's so neat to see the relationships form and stay. It's a nice group to be a part of."
And, Ditzler says, it's great seeing how the teens are fitting theater into their lives.
For some, it's extracurricular, for others, it's more.
"I got a lot of e-mails asking 'Can I consider this as a career?' They have enjoyed it so much," he says.
But how does the story of "HSM2" go forward? After all, when last we saw Gabriella and Troy, everything was hunky-dory.
They had each come clean about who they were and how they felt about each other. Heck, the entire school was happy happy happy. Even Sharpay was being nice. Sort of.
Well, the school year is now over and everyone is looking to get a summer job, especially Troy Bolton (being played this time around by Devin Lewis, who played Zeke in "HMS") who is worried about being able to afford college.
Sharpay (Jill Wiley) and Ryan (Donovan Hoffer is reprising the role) are off to spend the summer at their parent's country club.
And since Sharpay still wants Troy for her own, she gets him a terrific job there.
But then Troy convinces Sharpay's Uncle, Fulton (Rob Adams, the only adult in the entire cast), to hire Gabriella (Melanie Bieler).
Pretty soon, everyone is working at the country club, including Troy and Gabriella's best friends, Chad (Zach Minecci) and Taylor (Kassidy Allaire).
Sharpay is not happy. She wanted all of Troy's attention. Being devious, she has plenty of plans.
Will Sharpay be able to break up Troy and Gabriella? Will Troy betray her and his friends? Will there be a big talent show at the end, which gives everyone a chance to sing?
You can bet on it.
Ditzler says the supporting characters have more to do this time around.
And, the stage version is really opened up from the movie version.
A lot of solos are now group numbers and there are plenty of songs with four- and five-part harmony.
"That made for a challenging rehearsal schedule," Ditzler says. "But I really like how it all fits together."
"High School Musical 2"
Cont. through Oct. 11
Thurs. and Fri. 7:30 p.m.
Sat. 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m.
$17 adults, $12 kids 12 and under
Ephrata Playhouse in the Park
320 Cocalico St.
Ephrata Community Park, 733-7966
www.ephrataperformingartscenter.com
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