I fell big time for the two leads in James Terry Collective’s production of Disney’s High School Musical On Stage! Their chemistry is unmistakable. Individually and collectively Sophia Kouknas and Gabriel Tiller’s vocalisation is pure, strong, melodic and engaging. They harmonise magnificently. They play Gabriella Montez and Troy Bolton, who meet on New Year’s Eve after Gabriella’s mother took her on a ski trip.
The pair immediately bond and find themselves singing a karaoke duet, after which they exchange phone numbers. Now Gabriella’s mum has been transferred (again) and Gabriella has moved to East High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. That is where she finds Troy, who promised to call her, but didn’t. He is seen as the key to securing the school’s basketball team, the Wildcats, the league championship against their arch rivals, West High Knights, in a few days. Meanwhile, Gabriella makes her mark when she shows her smarts in a science class, pointing out a mistake in the teacher’s equation.
So it is that she is reluctantly snapped up by the “brainiacs” as the pivotal member of the school’s Scholastic Decathlon team. But that is not the half of it, as both Gabriella and Troy themselves drawn to try outs for the school’s upcoming winter musical, Juliet and Romeo. In so doing, they run into conflict with the president of the Drama Club, Sharpay Evans (Meg Williams) and her brother Ray (Josh Gates). Self-centred Sharpay has been the lead in every school musical since kindergarten and doesn’t want her mantle “stolen”.
Troy’s father (Adam Jon-Fiorentino) is the basketball coach and has no idea his son is also a gifted singer. All he is interested in is claiming the league championship – something he failed to achieve in his high school years – and he wants Troy to keep his head in the game. And Gabriella faces conflict between her commitment to the brainiacs and the call back for Juliet and Romeo. Drama abounds as matters come to a head after some skulduggery by Sharpay.
High School Musical On Stage! is based on the hit Disney Channel 2006 movie High School Musical written by Peter Barsocchini and composed by David Lawrence. The book is by David Simpatico, with music and lyrics by no less than a 13 strong musical team. It is not just the leads that are dynamic in James Terry Collective’s production. There are several other standout performances.
They include Meg Williams, who brings real attitude to Sharpay Evans. Josh Gates is smooth as her brother who finds a conscience. Chelsea Plumley puts on quite a show as the no nonsense drama teacher Ms Darbus, while Adam-Jon Fiorentino makes his presence felt as the stern coach. Rufaro Zimbudzi makes a good fist of her role as the head of the brainiacs, Taylor McKessie, who is no pushover.
Sarah Wood brings nuance to student Kelsi Nielsen, who spent two years crafting the winter musical. Lachie Beck doesn’t put a foot wrong as the school announcer Jack Scott, who is drawn to Kelsi. Evan Evans has fun as Troy’s fellow basketball team member Zeke Baylor, who has a penchant for baking and a soft spot for Sharpay. Also noteworthy are Massimo Zuccara, who plays Troy’s best friend and another team member Chad Danforth, and Ella Spiniello as brainiac Martha Cox.
They, together with a talented and lively ensemble, give the musical heart and soul. In fact, the up-tempo musicality and energetic choreography in Disney’s High School Musical On Stage! are superb – both ear and eye pleasing. Musical director David Youings and the band are to be heartily congratulated. Choreographers Callum Marshall and Issy Fox have done an excellent job with the movement, which includes some impressive acrobatics.
Lighting design by Jason Bovaird is, on occasion, quite spectacular and sound design from Marcello Lo Ricco is particularly potent. The costuming is another drawcard, but the set design could have done with a lift. It needed more polish. Overall, director James Terry has done a fine job bringing to life the story, which pivots around the importance of remaining true to oneself while caring for others. High School Musical On Stage! is a heartfelt celebration of identity and courage.
Two hours including interval, it is on a The National Theatre until 13th September, 2026.
Alex First
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- Legally Blonde: The Musical (James Terry Collective) – theatre review
- Kinky Boots (James Terry Collective) – musical theatre review
- Chess: The Musical (The National Theatre) – musical theatre review
Alex First is the editor of The Blurb. Alex is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He also contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.
