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Youth ‘bop to the top’ at Desert Foothills

BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI Foothills Focus Executive Editor

Desert Foothills Theatre just snagged 31 ariZoni nominations for its 2020-21 season — but the best is yet to come. On Friday, Sept. 17, the theater company will open its new season with “Disney’s High School Musical Jr.” at Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center.

The production, based on the Disney Channel’s smash-hit movie musical, features two distinct casts — and more than 70 young actors — performing on consecutive weekends.

The White cast, composed of youth ages 7 to 14, will open with performances starting at 7 p.m. Sept. 17. The Red cast, featuring high school students ages 14 to 18, will jump on stage the following week with shows starting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23.

“I was blown away by the number of kids who signed up for auditions,” said Terry Temple, DFT’s managing director. “I said we would consider having two casts for ‘High School Musical’ if we had enough talent, but the response was beyond my expectations.”

“Choreographing for two casts has its challenges,” added the show’s choreographer, Emily Temple. “The number of performers in each cast is different, and we have kids from elementary school through high school. The choreography vision for each cast is similar but distinct based on these variables. These kids bring everything they have to the stage — and that makes my challenge fun.”

“High School Musical Jr.” tells the story of Troy, Gabriella and the students of East High as they confront issues of love, friendship and family while balancing their classes and extracurricular activities.

DFT brings these themes to life with a high-energy production featuring show-stopping dancing and beloved musical numbers — like “We’re All in This Together” and “Breaking Free” — while giving performers a chance to do what they love most.

“It’s been so much fun acting, singing and dancing in ‘High School Musical,’” said Brady Molitor, 10, of Cave Creek, a jock in the White cast. “I have learned so much and made so many friends along the way in this show and in other things I have done with DFT.”

The friendships among performers are one of many special aspects of this show. Music director Kent Campbell said he can’t wait for the casts to show off the work they’ve done.

“One of my favorite aspects of teaching music to so many talented kids at once is the ‘wall of sound’ in front of me as I direct them,” said Kent Campbell, music director. “There’s no better feeling than hearing this music sung so well and so passionately right in front of me.”

Performers are also working hard to perfect their characters for the show.

Said 14-year-old Abby Springer, of Mesa, who plays Sharpay in the Red cast, “This has been a real challenge because there are so many sides to Sharpay’s personality. It’s really taking me out of my comfort zone, but I’m working hard to portray the kiss-up, the rich girl, the bully and even the insecure girl underneath it all.”

Six weeks since the cast list was posted, DFT is ready for the White cast’s opening this weekend.

“We have a younger cast and an older cast, but audiences will not be seeing the ‘cute little ones’ in the younger cast,” Terry said. “They will see top performances from both groups. I couldn’t be prouder.”

Added Campbell, “This show and its music really are timeless. It will be enjoyed by audiences both young and old.I hope everyone reading this treats themselves and buys a ticket.”

Eight-year-old Hannah DeMeo, of Cave Creek, a cheerleader in the White cast, can’t wait for “High School Musical” to open — in part because she loves the applause of live theater.

“Clapping is one of my favorite sounds, so that’s what got me into theater,” she said. “It’s been kind of a challenge to have rehearsal and school, because now I’m in third grade and I have way more homework, but I’m still doing it because it’s the thing I love.”

Considering the challenges of the past year and a half, Terry said, “Our kids not only are ready to get back on stage, but they need the social interactions, friendships and creative challenge.”

YOUTH

Keagan Smith, 16, and Alaina Lish, 15, rehearse “Disney’s High School Musical Jr.” (Photo by Pablo Robles)

Abby Springer, 14, and Braiden Lee, 16, work on

choreography. (Photo by Pablo Robles)

“High School Musical Jr.”

WHEN: Various times Friday, Sept. 17, to Sunday, Sept. 26 WHERE: Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center, 33606 N. 60th Street, Scottsdale COST: $25 INFO: dftheater.org