Slideshows

Photos: Disney’s ‘High School Musical’

"HIgh School Musical' Drama Club president Sharpay Evans played by Kierra Prentiss (far left) and 'new student' Gabriella Montez played by Marissa Murgolo (second from left) in the opening scene.
“HIgh School Musical’ Drama Club president Sharpay Evans played by Kierra Prentiss (far left) and ‘new student’ Gabriella Montez played by Marissa Murgolo (second from left) in the opening scene.

After three fundraisers and four months of rehearsals, the 45 student-actors of the ‘Middle Masques’ excitedly took to the stage for their first dress rehearsal of the Disney Musical “High School Musical” Wednesday afternoon at Riverhead Middle School.

It is based on the 2006 Disney television film “High School Musical,” which was viewed by 7.7 million viewers in its premiere broadcast.

Performances will be in the Riverhead Middle School Cafetorium beginning 7 p.m. Friday. There will be a 2:30 p.m. show Saturday and 7 p.m. shows Feb. 8-9. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door for each performance.

“The students involved in this production, both on stage and behind, go above and beyond to bring you a show that promises pure entertainment,” said producer Pat Skura, Riverhead’s secretary to the assistant principal. “Putting on a live production has shown them discipline, respect and made them realize that ‘we’re alll in this together’ and they have to keep their heads in the game.”

Riverhead Middle School teacher Edward Toll Jr. is the show’s director and Nadine Grreenberg is the musical director. In prior years they presented Willie Wonka, Beauty and the Beast, Alice in Wonderland, Wizard of Oz and Grease.

The characters are: Troy (Samuel Mancini); Gabriells (Marissa Murgolo); Ryan (Ryan Mancini); Sharpay (Kierra Prentiss); Ms. Darbus (Kamaria Harris); Coach Bolton (Daniel DiSalvo); Chad (Roy Vasquez); Zeke (Devin Pierristi) and Taylor (Ella Baldwin).

[nggallery id=470 template=galleryview]