The historic Amador Theater stage will be transformed into the East High School campus circa early-2000s for the coming days as Pleasanton Youth Theater Company presents its rendition of “High School Musical”.
Adapted from the popular 2006 Disney Channel movie starring Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, “High School Musical” follows the story of teenage love and cliques centered on the budding romance of basketball star Troy and brainy transfer student Gabriella amid the backdrop of their school’s musical play.
“I grew up watching ‘High School Musical’. I had all of the merchandise and I remember being so proud that I knew the actors’ names … bragging about it as I named them off of my lunchbox,” said Laura Lentz, director of the PYTC show.
“When I got asked to do this project, I immediately knew how special it would be,” she told the Pleasanton Weekly. “Not only is it childhood nostalgia for my whole generation, but the idea of getting to pass down the magic of this show was one that I couldn’t pass up.”
“When you boil it down, ‘High School Musical’ is a show about community and acceptance,” Lentz added. “One of my favorite aspects of PYTC is the strong sense of community that you feel when you walk into the room. This cast is one of the most welcoming, kind groups of humans and it makes the work we do in this show so special and genuine.”
The youth actors have been rehearsing for weeks, showing up at 9 a.m. on practice days during their summer break to prepare for opening night, according to Lentz. And the hard work is paying off.
“The cast is incredibly talented. And we are having so much fun,” Lentz said, also giving credit to support from the creative team behind the scenes ahead of the debut of her first full-length musical as lead director. “The Tri-Valley can look forward to familiar songs and characters that they know and love, but with the magic of live theatre. Each actor has worked so hard to craft a character that is their own which has absolutely transformed the show and made it so engaging to watch.”
The PYTC production of “High School Musical” opens this Thursday night (July 25) at 7:30 p.m. at the Amador Theater on the campus of Amador Valley High School on Santa Rita Road in Pleasanton. Evening shows continue on Friday and Saturday, along with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday. For tickets and more information, go to firehousearts.org.
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