'High School Musical 2 JR.' Showcases Young Performers In Northbrook

NORTHBROOK, IL — It's been 20 years since the first film of the popular "High School Musical" franchise hit theaters. The sequel, which was released in 2007, has been adapted into the latest production by the Northbrook Theatre Youth Company.

"High School Musical 2 JR" promises to be a "high-energy show packed with friendship, big personalities and a little bit of summer
chaos," according to the Northbrook Park District.

The show is performed by 81 actors, divided into three casts, ranging from 8 to 13 years old.

The hourlong show will be performed on Saturday April 11, and Sunday, April 12, at Field Middle School, 2055 Landwehr Road, Northbrook. Showtimes are at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at nbparks.org/event/high-school-musical-2-jr.

According to NPD, the plot centers around a crew of high schoolers getting summer jobs at the ritzy Lava Springs Country Club, where adventures take place between a mean boss, a high-stress talent show,
and friendship highs and lows.

"It's very fast-paced," Frederick Reynolds, 11, who plays Troy, one of the main characters, told NPD.
"There's a lot of ups and downs in the show — something exciting happens, then something bad happens, then something exciting and then something bad… It ends in a good ending, with
everyone forgiving what they did."

Melody DeRogatis, performing arts supervisor for the district, says the cast has been working hard to put on a great show, and audiences will enjoy a great
performance while bopping to catchy music.

"It's so inspiring seeing how hard these kids work in rehearsal every week. They take themselves seriously, they're dedicated and hard-working —but they never forget to have fun, either," DeRogatis said. "All of that hard work is going to pay off for their opening performance."
Sixth-grader Elston Silverberg, who plays the role of Gabriella, discovered her passion for acting
three years ago, after watching a Northbrook Theatre Youth Company production of "Moana Jr."

"I loved the lights, I loved the costumes and I wanted to try out for a play," she said. "Fourteen
shows later, here I am. I have done it mainly at Northbrook Theatre, but also at school and
camp."