WAYNE HIGHLANDS, PA — Wayne Highlands Middle School proudly presents Disney’s High School Musical, Jr. This year will be a little different as we have transformed our gymnasium into a performance venue for our musical; because we are finishing up our major renovation project at the all new Honesdale Performing Arts Center, on the campus of Honesdale High School.

We hope you share the excitement as we do and join us, when we open Honesdale High School's Musical Production in the new performing arts venue with Chicago The Musical in April of 2023. Until then, we are honored to welcome you to our fall musical production at Wayne Highlands Middle School Gymnasium on Friday, November 18 and Saturday, November 19 at 7p.m., nightly.

Disney’s High School Musical first won its way into the hearts of audiences as a made for TV movie in 2006, which swept the awards season with an Emmy, Teen Choice, American Music, TV Critics and Billboards Music Awards. Two sequels followed, and school aged fans all over the world have enjoyed the upbeat music and dances ever since, and relate to the story of the modern day Romeo and Juliet. The handsome basketball star Troy and beautiful, brainy Gabriella battle the “Status Quo” expected by the set cliques in school, who are threatened by mixing groups when he happens upon Gabriella auditioning for the school musical and discovers that he can sing. While the Drama Club diva arranges to set up a clash of Troy’s big game with Gabriella’s Science Decathlon, friends on both sides emerge to save the day to find a way to let the couple break free from expectations and shine on stage together. Stereotypes are relinquished and barriers between cliques are broken down as the characters’ infectious enthusiasm and unity defy the odds over old expectations. Sing along with the familiar tunes and tap your feet with us as we bring this optimistic coming of age musical to life!

Our leading roles star Liam Platt (Troy Bolton), Alina Shanfelder (Gabriella Montez), Esme Schloesser (Sharpay Evans), Logan Rickert (Ryan Evans), Briley Acker (Chad Danforth), Korilyn Roche (Taylor McKessie), Logan Lester (Zeke Baylor), Kinley Platt (Martha Cox), Sophia Bond (Kelsi), Maddison Miller (Ms. Darbus), Eli Funk (Coach Bolton), Drew Daniels (Jack Scott), Quinn Miller (Jade Scott), Jenna Murray (Ms. Tenny), Ellie Pasquini (Cathy), Evelyn Bond (Cyndra), Jase Berkihiser (James), FrannySue Menechino (Kratnoff), Brynn Derrick (Susan), and Desmond Jennings (Moderator).

Adding to the cast as featured dancers and cheer team are Abigail Beatty, Adrianna Bigio Torre, Aria Stangler, Gianna Paige McAdams, Ian Amato, Ivan Thol, Jake J. D’Albora, Jozephine Crown, Khloe Demmerle, Kylie Wojtowicz, Libby Sullivan, Mackenzie White, Marley Reynolds, Rylee Warnock, and Sydnee Evans. 

Playing our basketball stars in the production are Mercades Barnumkenyon , Ryan Cook, Jr., Kaydence Frampton, Heather Kissolovege, Benjamin Klisiewicz, Jonah Pritchard, Calvin Rosar, Canyon Ruff, Grace Shursky, Jordan Verola, and Mia Wolfe.

Our high school student body also includes Brainiacs, Kaitlyn Carroll, Kyra M.Dawo, Morgan Lurvey, Maureen Meagher, Logan Meyers, Zoey Rupp, and Riley Schmidt.

Keeping the school in check stars our Rebels, Abigail Decker, Delia Goff, Marissa Lockley, Vanessa Muller, Bella O’Connell, Madeline Pierce, Zoey Tyler, and Ava Verrastro.

Lastly rounding out our all star academic musical school are our Theatre actors, Alexis Decker, Raechelle Elders, Rylie Ford, Jordan Hattler, Brynn Mahon, Madison Mertz, Leonora S. Orellana Antón, Sage Elizabeth Lily Questore, Lindsey Schneider, and Andréa Seminario.

“Disney’s High School Musical centers on the unlikely friendship that evolves between the jock Troy and brainiac Gabriella at a karaoke contest,” explains Scott D. Miller, Executive Director. “Little did the two know that she would be transferring into his school. The duo decide — against their friends' wishes and to the dismay of school stars (a drama queen and her brother) — to audition for the high school musical. Needless to say mayhem occurs throughout the entire school and student body!”

Our Wayne Highlands Middle School musical production in association with Disney Theatricals present the work penned by Peter Barsocchini and featuring a score by David Lawrence and songs by Matthew Gerrard, Robbie Nevil, David Lawrence, Faye Greenberg, Ray Cham, Greg Cham, Andrew Seeley, Randy Petersen, Kevin Quinn, Andy Dodd, Adam Watts, and Jamie Houston.

The musical is directed by Scott D. Miller; musical director Martha Curtis; choreographed by Mason Marie Clark; with assistant student director Danielle Gager; actor stage managers Julianne Kerna and Quinn Miller; assistant musical director Geri Spinosa; Technical Directors Shawn Garing and William Sievers, Hair, Makeup, and Costume Design by Kathryn Beisel; set design by Stacy Roerig; technical supervisor Christian Krasniak; technical stage managers Evan Funk and Daniel D’Albora; and House Manager Nolan Duffy.

The production crew includes lighting designers Lakelen Leclere and Caleb Dodson; sound by Andrew Carrick, Amanda Kuta, and Jilian Ciarrocchi; with assistant hair and makeup artists Kayla Kominski, Chris Murphy, Elizabeth Canfield, Madison Stokoe, Emma Saylor, Addy Gallik, Cailin Maxwell, Sara Rosas, Paige Ross, Minka Beisel, Kristin James, Payton Shaffer, Juliet Johannes, Sophie Baker (HHS), Ivy Hazelton (HHS), and Hailey Tyler (HHS); on the stage crew Nolan Duffy, Jorden Haviland, Christian Krasniak, Lakelen Leclere, Jacob Babel, Andrew Carrick, Grason Coar, Caleb Dodson, Amit Fulp, Amanda Kuta, Dominic Miller, Blaine Bolella, Hayden Brink, Julian Ciarrocchi, Daniel D’Albora, Mason D’Albora, Evan Funk, Daven Good, Tyler Kominski, Lucas Murray, Marcus Carnegie, Charlie Daniels, Sam Eisele, Kaleb Flick, Jack Goodwin, and William Kelly.

General Admission seating tickets are on sale now, Regular $10, Senior (+62) $9, Student $7, Children (3-5) $5, Red/Black Pass (Complimentary) for all tickets and may be purchased online at honesdalepac.com or by calling the Honesdale Performing Arts Box Office at 570-251-9831. Performances are recommended for a general audience. As an advisory to adults who might bring children, this production is recommended for ages 5 and up. All guests entering the gymnasium, regardless of age, must have a ticket.

The production length of the musical is 1 hour and 15 minutes, with a 15-minute intermission and will take the stage on Friday, November 18, 2022 and Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 7:00 p.m., nightly. at Wayne Highlands Middle School Gym, 482 Grove Street, Honesdale PA 18431.

Disney's High School Musical, Jr. Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com