A message of acceptance, an eclectic cast of high school students and dedicated theatre professionals have all come together to bring Disney’s High School Musical to life.
C-R Kids Productions at the historic Cohoes City Music Hall is presenting the musical.
`The first time I watched the movie it was like watching a marriage between ‘Grease’ and ‘Fame.’ I called a friend at Disney and said I have to bring this to our stage,` said Tony Rivera, co-founder of C-R Productions and director of the show.
C-R Productions is a nonprofit cultural and educational organization founded in 2002 by Artistic Director Jim Charles and Rivera.Through this C-R Kids Production, students are afforded an opportunity to work with professional directors, musical directors, costume designers, and set designers.
`The students were advised they would be treated as professional, the same way we treat our adult performers, and they have thrived from it,` said Rivera.
The worldwide popularity of Disney’s `High School Musical` has become somewhat of a phenomenon, bringing new life to high school drama clubs across the country. Rivera said shortly after publicizing tryouts, more than 175 students from the region responded. The two days of actual tryouts, more than 200 teens came in hopes of winning a part in the production.
`We were one of the first companies nationally to announce we were producing the show. The number of students who showed up and the range of talent were incredible,` said Rivera.
The story in of the show resonates with teens as it tells the tale of a high school basketball star, Troy Bolton, and a brainiac, Gabriella Montez, whose worlds come together during tryouts for the high school’s musical. Their friends discourage them from trying out because it is stepping out of their character. It is a story of labels, comfort and cliques that teens struggle with in school and how they can overcome those boundaries.
Academy of Holy Names sophomore Alexa Veeder plays the female lead, Gabriella, and says the experience has been amazing,
`I love it, it’s been so much fun. It is a great cast that works well together. With so many of us from all over it’s been interesting to see how well we have all come together,` said Veeder.
Veeder has performed with the Park Playhouse II and the Green Room Players.
`This is my first time at the Cohoes Music Hall and I have learned so much here,` said Veeder.
Augie Abatecola of Hudson High School is playing the male lead, Troy. Abatecola is a junior who has previously performed in `Ragtime` for C-R Productions. He said the experience has been not only exciting but he has learned a lot as well.
`I had no ides how much I would get out of this unbelievable cast. I have met so many great kids and the whole experience has exceeded my expectations,` said Abatecola.
Other members of the cast include Shenendehowa’s Cara O’Brien, Colleen Trainor, Tommy Swimm, Kasey Scanlon and Christina Manion; Brittanie La France of Saratoga High School, and Olivia Baaches of Shaker High School.
Rivera said that through the play, the audience has a chance to feel more involved with the characters.
`The kids really seem to get the message in this show. The casting for the play came at a time when there was so much negativity in the news about our schools, like the schoolhouse shooting in Pennsylvania. We had so many calls from people in our community saying they were happy to see the theater bring such a positive light and outlet for our children,` said Rivera.
Rivera said he was overwhelmed by the response to this show and he is impressed by the amount of talent in the Capital District.
`Each part in the show had two or three students who a good fit, it was hard to choose,` said Rivera,
The show will run Thursday and Friday, Feb. 1 and 2 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 4 at 2 p.m. Reserved seats are required. Ticket prices range from $20 to $30. For information, cal 237-5858 or visit the Web site at cohoesmusichall.com. “
