High School Musical leaps from screen to the stage, November 20-23 in Meredith Disney’s High School Musical Live Onstage comes to New Hampshire from November 20 to 23, a production of The Summer Theatre in Meredith Village. Featuring an all-professional cast, the stage version of the smash hit musical is the tale of a jock named Troy and a science geek named Gabriella who break free from their cliques to star in their school’s big musical. "It’s a wonderful, upbeat show with great singing and dancing," says Nancy Barry, Producing Director of The Summer Theatre. "There’s a little bit of innocent romance and a great story about accepting other people and realizing that everyone has something to contribute." Although the movie version of High School Musical was originally aimed at a younger crowd, Barry says that people of all ages are raving about the stage production. "In an era of video games and iPods, it’s great to have a show that the whole family can enjoy," she says. "There aren’t that many things you can take kids to that are really fun and upbeat." What if people have already seen the movie? "There’s something totally different and electric about seeing it on stage," says Barry, who likes the idea of introducing a new generation of young people to live professional theatre. "Kids need to see live theatre. They need to experience the wonderful interaction that happens between actors and audience. That’s something you just can’t get in a movie." Directing the stage version of the blockbuster hit is Brian Feehan, director and choreographer of the theatre’s highly successful summer show The Buddy Holly Story. "That show was so infectious," says Barry. "People came back to see it two or three times, and we have the same team working on this show." A Professional Theatre in a Community Setting Now heading into its second season, The Summer Theatre at Meredith Village is the brainchild of Nancy Barry, a seasoned actress with numerous credits in film, television and theatres across the country. Barry first came to New Hampshire as an intern at the New London Barn Playhouse in 1983, under the guidance of its founder, Norman Leger. She returned to New London to take over the theatre’s helm when Leger retired in 2004 and continued there until his recent passing. Barry’s experience at the Barn Playhouse got her to thinking about the Lakes Region. "I wondered how this area could not have a big summer theatre that does musicals," she says. Although there are other very good theatres in the area, they do a mix of shows—straight drama, comedy, musicals—and Barry thought there was a need for an exclusively musical theatre. "People want to come to the theatre and have a good time," she says. "And they like musical theatre." Barry also wanted a theatre that was a integral part of the community. "Going into this, we wanted it to be a theatre that interacted with the community," she says. That meant reaching out to children, businesses that cater to tourists, summer home owners, and other groups. "We’re wanted to do shows that would entertain and appeal to all these different people," says Barry. Apparently, the idea worked. The Summer Theatre in Meredith Village opened in 2008 with a season that included The Buddy Holly Story, Carousel, Always…Patsy Cline, Anything Goes, and Lend Me a Tenor. "We did 56 performances and got 56 standing ovations," says Barry. "Everyone was very excited and wants to see this theatre continue." That excitement extends beyond filling the seats in the theatre. Local fans also support the theatre by taking tickets, handing out programs, and helping in other ways. Another connection with the community is the theatre’s summer series for children, in which junior apprentices--local high school students learning the ropes from professionals--perform versions of classic stories in local schools. This summer, the Children’s Series presented Snow White, Cinderella, Robin Hood, and Princess and the Pea, and Barry is looking forward to another season with her young performers. The theatre’s venue is the Inter-Lakes High School auditorium in Meredith, which seems fitting for a show called High School Musical, though it’s also the perfect venue for The Summer Theatre’s professional productions. "It’s air-conditioned, the seats are comfortable, and there isn’t a bad seat in the house," says Barry. "And unlike New York, there’s plenty of free parking." Tickets for High School Musical Live Onstage are $15.00 for students K to12 and $25.00 for seniors and adults. Performances are Thursday, November 20 through Sunday, November 23 at 7:00 p.m., with matinees at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For reservations call the box office at 1-888-245-6374 or visit www.interlakestheatre.com on the web. |
