Holroyd Musical and Dramatic Society: High School Musical - Review by Selina Wong

From the moment I stepped into the Redgum Function Centre, I was transported to the campus of East High, an all-American high school centred around basketball. Layered posters of the cast mimicked the high school noticeboards and truly set the scene for Holroyd Musical and Dramatic Society’s (HMDS) High School Musical. From the Wildcat Cheer, the audience knew they were in for a cheerful, wholesome and energetic performance. Wendy Hudson is to be congratulated for bringing her vision to life.

Jahzara Mariasson was perfectly cast as Gabriella Montez. Not only did Mariasson look the part, but her vocals and star quality made her stand out. She nailed the character of the sweet, intelligent and vulnerable Gabriella, who stands up for her beliefs. Mariasson’s on-stage presence reflected her vast experience in theatre, and her vocals were simply spectacular. She showcased the beautiful light and shade of her strong voice in When There Was Me and You and Breaking Free. I truly look forward to seeing her star in main stage productions in the future!

It’s hard to believe Ty Shelley, who played Troy Bolton, is only 15 years old. Shelley easily took on the persona of the popular star player of East High’s basketball team. It was clear that he had so much fun on stage and was a highly expressive actor. It was lovely to hear his vocal potential in Start of Something New and Breaking Free. As High School Musical was Shelley’s first musical theatre production, I’m sure he will be seen in many more musical roles in the future.

A clear audience favourite was the dynamic duo of Anabelle Ng and Samanyu Singh Sharma, who brought Sharpay and Ryan Evans to life with energy and flair. Ng was a little pocket rocket who physically and vocally captured the ambitious, confident and theatrical villain, Sharpay Evans. Her over-the-top physicality and diva-esque slapstick, complemented by Singh Sharma, were a pleasure to watch and drew lots of laughs from the crowd. I loved seeing the evolution of Ryan’s character as he emerged from the shadow of his domineering sister. Singh Sharma was hilarious when angry with his sister, and I longed to see more of his acting and singing. His facial expressions and physicality made him a delight to watch, and I support his jazz square!

I truly adored the quirky Mia Mitchell as Jack Scott, who skilfully tied the production together as the voice of East High. Mitchell was able to seamlessly link the storylines and scenes, creating a hilarious and light-hearted vibe. I also loved that Jack was cast as a girl, bringing something new to the character.

Sophie Bousalim as Taylor McKessie and Alexander Worsman as Chad Danforth executed the roles of supportive besties to Gabriella and Troy with confidence. Bousalim had a convincing rapport with Mariasson, along with a strong stage presence and voice. Worsman fully realised the not-so-bright jock while adding a cute and lovable dimension to the character. As this was his musical theatre debut, Worsman’s enthusiasm and likeability will definitely lead to more performances in the future.

Ms Darbus, played by Monique Sunderland, was a favourite of mine. Sunderland successfully encapsulated the passionate and quirky drama teacher. From her mannerisms to her voice, she was a true fighter for the arts. Equally convincing was Andrew Down, who played Coach Bolton. Down’s American accent was authentic, and his natural ease on stage demonstrated his wealth of theatre experience. A standout was the tense scene he played with his on-stage son, Shelley, which was moving.

The ensemble was so energetic and had the physicality and voices to match. Getcha Head in the Game and Auditions were fast-paced and showcased the versatility of the ensemble. Whether they were part of the Drama Club, Jocks, Science Club or the Skaters, they looked like they were having so much fun. The array of costumes made the ’90s and 2000s nostalgia feel real. The tights under skirts, Converse shoes, flannel shirts and layers made the ensemble pop. Sharpay and Ryan’s matching outfits were next level.

I was so impressed with the skilful choreography by the mother-and-daughter team, Jenny and Elizabeth Sarkis. The routines with the basketballs would not have been an easy feat, and managing the basketball final, science competition and auditions on one stage was noteworthy. The ‘detention’ animal acting scene had the whole audience in stitches, and I was mesmerised by the dedication of the frog! Another standout ensemble number was Status Quo, which had the audience bopping in their seats.

With so many scenes and locations, the use of a small screen was so practical but didn’t take away from the sets or props. The screens indicated the time and locations such as “Homeroom”, which felt very true to high school life. The Wildcats flags front and centre stage, the lockers, whiteboards and backpacks made the sets feel realistic, and the lighting was cleverly used to take the characters back in time, to other places and into their thoughts. So many people contributed to bringing all these details together in a superb way. Again, the prevalence of basketballs on stage and the use of candle flames in one scene really showcased the attention to detail of the production team.

There is simply no show without the music, and the East High Band elevated the score to another level. Susan Brown is to be commended for leading a small ensemble of musicians through energetic, fast-paced dance numbers as well as more lyrical and emotive ballads. The diverse range of sounds within the contemporary score contributed to a cohesive and polished production. While it was unfortunate that the band was positioned out of sight behind the audience, this did nothing to diminish the quality of their performance or their overall success. Props to the pit singers too!

I loved the community and family vibe of HMDS. From the volunteers serving food, drinks and raffle tickets, to the constant cheers from the audience and the visibility of HMDS President Jordan Vassallo, it was a night of true community theatre. Even the Wildcats mascot was amongst the crowd taking selfies before performing on stage. A show for all ages!