(Enlarge) The cast of "Disney's 'High School Musical' On Stage" at Toby's Dinner Theatre shows its spirit. (Photo by Kirstine Christianson)

Want to see how show dancing aims to nab the next generation of theater-goers? Check out "Disney's 'High School Musical,' On Stage" now at Toby's -- The Dinner Theatre of Columbia through June 7.

The cast of 22 here explodes onto the stage in "Wildcat Cheer," one of the danciest show-starters seen on a dinner theater stage in eons. Performers cartwheel, hurl through the air, do flips from the shoulders of the taller guys, and jazz it all up in a symphony of hip-hop and razzle-dazzle.

This eager young troupe expends huge amounts of energy and talent -- and has so much fun doing it that it becomes dangerously infectious.

When things calm down enough we meet the leads: Conrad Buck, making his local debut at Toby's as Troy Bolton, the heartthrob captain of the basketball team; and MaryLee Adams, a Catholic University junior and graduate of Columbia's Wilde Lake High School as Gabriella Montez, the brainy, somewhat shy "new girl" at East High School.

As in "West Side Story," "South Pacific," and countless other musical librettos before them, the hoops star and the brainiac come from disparate backgrounds. They are tossed together, though, when they decide to audition for the winter musical, "Juliet and Romeo," a feminist redo of the Shakespeare classic.

While the pair's first duet, "Breaking Free," suggests a quick click, it is derailed by the intervention of drama queen Sharpay Evans --played with more than a dash of Paris Hilton by Hannah Thornhill, one of the show's stand-out dancers.

Amplifying, if not stealing, her thunder is Parker Drown as Ryan, the drama club's scheming vice-president and tag-along brother to Sharpay. Drown is reminiscent in the role of that sneaky Michael character from TV's "Ugly Betty."

The plot thickens as these wicked sibs manage to manipulate the "callbacks" into conflict with the basketball championships and a big decathlon showdown, suddenly so-o-o important to Gabriella and her newly discovered friends.

Confused by the storyline? Probably not. It's all spelled out in song lyrics, such as Troy's questioning, "Why am I feeling so wrong, with my head in the game and my heart in the song?"

Then again, just about anyone younger than 30 is probably somewhat familiar with the 2006 Disney cable "original," which set records left and right and spawned a top-selling CD. By now, the DVD of that first feature has sold more than 7 million copies, and more than 100 million people worldwide have seen the movie.

As usual, artistic producer Toby Orenstein probably has the best take on it: "Think 'Grease' and 'Footloose' had a baby and called it 'High School Musical,' " she cracks with an enthusiastic chuckle during the intermission break.

"Kids love this show, and so do parents and grandparents. Everyone seems to get something out of it."

Uncovering new talent and pushing regular players into new roles is one of the pleasures of being a producer. Here Orenstein and her guest director and co-choreographer, Beth Leader, have come up with a number of casting coups.

Conrad Beck has a gorgeous baritone voice, which also won him an understudy spot in the cast of Toby's alternating musical offering, "My Way." And pretty Adams seems to glow on stage, reminding more than one regular at Toby's of the electric introduction of Janine Gulisano-Sunday as Maria in "West Side Story" a decade or so back.

Outstanding in the three adult roles of "High School Musical" are regulars from both Toby's Columbia and Baltimore stages. Heather Marie Beck portrays Ms. Darbus, the exaggerated drama teacher, and the versatile David Bosley-Reynolds transitions to Coach Bolton by hiding his trademark baldness under a sports cap. Jeffrey Shankle completes his makeover from song-and-dance man George M. Cohan and the comic accountant he played in "The Producers" by retiring into the demeanor of a friendly chemistry teacher, Mr. Tenny.

Changes behind the scenes include David Jennings, who created some of the more memorable dances, such as the basketball dribbling set to a hip-hop beat.

Cedric Lyles directed the live orchestra from the upper-level pit -- and special kudos to chef Chuck Cofield and staff for a tasty buffet, especially the zesty chicken dish, a new addition to the popular Toby's menu.

"Disney's 'High School Musical,' on Stage" alternates nightly and on certain matinees with "My Way, A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra" at Toby's -- The Dinner Theatre of Columbia through June 7.

During Easter vacation week, the shows of April 7 and 8 will admit one child free with each paying adult. As always, reservations are required. Call 410-730-8311 or go to www.tobysdinnertheatre.com for more information.

user comments (1)

user republicanhippie says...

Hi Carolyn, Thanks so much for reviewing HSM - so happy you enjoyed yourself! Saving seats for you and your husband at John's table Sunday matinee for "My Way" if you and Mike want to come just for fun. Nancy

Posted 3:40 PM, 04.03.09

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