Be prepared for an evening of song and laughter as the Marlboro Players bring “High School Musical” to the stage of the Marlboro Civic Center.
Directed by veteran Emmie Beck, the show will run this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (March 16, 17, and 18) beginning at 7 p.m. each night.
Hayden Snyder brings his experience and exceptional voice to Troy Bolten, East High School’s star basketball player, who has a chance encounter with the shy Gabriella Montez over winter break. Scotland County newcomer to the Marlboro Players productions, Hailey Odom, shines as the studious Gabriella, who feels an immediate connection to Troy when they are paired in a karaoke contest (“The Start of Something New”).
As classes resume, Gabriella has unknowingly transferred to Troy’s school and these opposites are drawn back together by a hidden talent. Hesitant Gabriella wants to audition for the Spring Musical, which has been written by the underappreciated but very talented fellow student Kelsi Nielsen (Madison Woodle). When Troy helps Gabriella sing, the drama teacher, Mrs. Darbus (Ashley Hamer), thinks she has exciting new talent on her hands.
When Troy’s dad and coach, Jack Bolton (Brandon King), Troy’s best friend Chad Danforth (Malachi Vazquez), and Gabriella’s new friend Taylor McKessie (Kara Hodge) find out about the auditions, chaos ensues. Everyone starts revealing their hidden talents (“Stick to the Status Quo”) and thespian twins Ryan (Luke Chavis) and Sharpay Evans (Sarah Crouch) are none too happy with the new changes. Will their scheme to keep Troy and Gabriella apart succeed?
Announcements from Jack Scott (Luke Eaves – another newcomer to our stage) keep the students up-to-date on all the activities (along with a bit of commentary on the shocking new friendships).
When he reveals that the basketball championship game, the scholastic decathlon competition, and the spring musical call-back auditions are scheduled simultaneously, Troy and Gabriella fear their efforts at “Breaking Free” from their expected roles have failed. The students and adults alike, however, begin to discover it is ok to be more than just one thing, and when they all work together, everyone wins! (“We’re All in This Together”)
Once again, the Marlboro Players have showcased the many talented youths in our community bringing to the stage numerous veterans and talented newcomers from Marlboro, Scotland, Chesterfield, and Richmond Counties.
The main characters are backed by cheerleaders, basketball team members, brainiacs, and cool kids who bring the fun with dancing and singing thanks to music director Sandra Widejko and choreographer Jasmine Brown.
The cast also includes Amanda King, Sarah King, Lilah King, Copeland Snyder, Aubri Gibson, Maddie Scott, Izzy Crane, Mara Hardy, Ward Hardy, Viva Lang, Shelby Helms, Tapanga McKenzie, Zoey McKenzie, Peyton Hamer Cody Stubbs, Jessup Jacobs, Jeremiah Hicks, Jeffrey Hicks, and Denise Jones.
Tickets are on sale now from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Marlboro Civic Center box office (843-454-9496) and when the doors open on show nights. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under. Check out The Marlboro Players’ Facebook page for more information on these talented actors!