May 2, 2008 in City

‘High School Musical’ is shallow but plenty sparkly

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I’d like to be able to say that the only people enjoying “High School Musical” were blond, 8-year-old girls wearing pink rhinestoned shirts.

But the truth is, there were grown men dancing. I witnessed mothers singing and babies pounding their hands together. Worse, I found myself singing and clapping and screaming and sighing along with all the 12-year-olds sitting next to me.

“High School Musical” was a Disney Channel Original Movie released in January 2006. Many Disney Channel Original Movies concern supernatural teenagers, dolphins or shopping – and never hit the big screen – “High School Musical” is the exception. Its soundtrack was the best-selling album of 2006.

There are T-shirts, DVDs, jewelry, dolls and video games based on the movie and its sequel, “High School Musical 2,” released in August.

The crowd at the INB Performing Arts Center – mainly girls ages 4 to 14 – radiated sparkles, rainbows and candy. I also saw my share of yelling parents, bossy parents, bossy children, bored parents, parents dressed up like characters from the show, and parents who left at intermission.

Crafted for the attention span of a 5-year-old, “High School Musical” moves quickly. Sound quality overall was lacking, and the singing was not as strong as I expected. However, the choreography was fantastic and the innovative sets and stage arrangements were outstanding. The show stayed true to the movie besides a few minor plot changes and the addition of two new songs, “Cellular Fusion” and “Counting on You.”

Characters were varied, and everyone looked about 10 years older than they should have looked. I don’t think any of this made a difference to the kids in the crowd, who piled up against the stage with outstretched arms, even though no one on stage was actually famous.

This was the easiest show I’ve ever watched. I didn’t have to follow the plot or pay attention to the dialogue or even sympathize with the characters. There just simply wasn’t time. The show moved incredibly fast, with short songs, limited conversation and no breaks for scene changes. It really required no brain activity at all. I didn’t even have a chance to become bored, because every time a slow scene came up, some lights would start flashing.

Obviously, this program is an unrealistic and glossy portrayal of high school. These characters do not have acne. They never call their teachers “mom” or accidentally tuck their skirts into their underwear.

But none of this matters, because the point of the show is not to be realistic or sentimental or deep, but simply to get happy and to not be afraid to be exactly who you are.

The lights are bright, the screaming is loud and the souvenir stand is really expensive. If anything, this show leaves the crowd with an undeniable energy worthy of a standing ovation.

If you have not seen the movie, this show will be completely irrelevant. If you enjoy sincerely talented vocalists and sophisticated drama, you may want to skip this one. But if you are a pigtailed tween with a short attention span, this show is an absolutely golden “must-see.”

“High School Musical” continues through Sunday. For tickets and show times, contact TicketsWest at www.ticketswest.com or (509) 459-SEAT.

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