By Wendy Humphrey
West Windsor, N.J.- Good-bye classroom, hello, summer! Teen romance takes center stage for the East High Wildcats when "High School Musical 2, Jr." comes to Mercer County Community College’s Kelsey Theatre. An ensemble group from MCCC’s Tomato Patch and Kelsey Players brings the hit show to life Friday, Feb. 25 and Saturday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 27 at 2 and 4 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is located on the college’s West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road.
For Troy, Gabriella, Chad and Taylor, summer is turning out not so sunny. They are all working at Lava Springs Country Club, owned by the family of brother and sister twins, Ryan and Sharpay Evans. Troy finds himself getting special treatment, thanks to Sharpay, who is plotting to win his heart. As Troy’s ego puffs up, his friends are less than impressed. But as the country club’s big talent show approaches, Sharpay’s plans unravel and Troy starts to come to his senses. Will all this teen drama produce a happy ending for Troy and his true love, Gabriella?
The movie version premiered on the Disney Channel in 2007 and featured Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Corbin Bleu and Ashley Tisdale. Seen by more than 18 million viewers in the United States, High School Musical 2 is the highest-rated Disney Channel movie of all time.
Principal cast members for MCCC’s stage production of "High School Musical 2, Jr." include: Melissa Geerlof of Hamilton as Sharpay; Mani Kissling of Hamilton as Taylor; Jonathan Martin of East Windsor as Troy; Nicky Rosolino of Princeton as Ryan; Victoria Scialfa of Robbinsville as Gabriella; and J. Scott of Allentown, N.J., as Chad. Also featured are Madelyn Curtin of Lawrenceville as Violet; Kaitlynn Ely of Hightstown as Martha; Michelle Foster of Burlington Township as Kelsi; John Garvey of Robbinsville as Fulton; John Glace of Langhorne, Pa., as Zeke; Ella Lafontant of Trenton as Blossom; Emily Novozinsky of Allentown as Peaches; and Matt Triplett of Montgomery as Jack Scott.
Ensemble members include Jeremy Barson of Richboro, Pa.; Noah Barson of Richboro, Pa., (also Troy’s understudy); William Burke of Lawrenceville; Elijah Davis of Hopewell; Molly Fisch-Friedman of Princeton Junction; Cindy George of Hightstown; Shreyas Jaganmohan of East Windsor; Kyle Lehner of Richboro, Pa.; Grace Manno of Burlington; Michael Mitgang of West Windsor; Abby Oliver of Hamilton; Robin Slothower of Plainsboro; and Donte Wilder of Ewing.
The production is directed by Melissa Abrahams with musical direction by Elizabeth Rzasa and choreography by Amanda Katchisin.
Tickets are $8 for students and children, and $10 for adults. Free parking is available next to the theater. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible. Free parking is available next to the theater.
Photo by Amy Bessellieu.
