High School Musical - The Ice Tour

Published Monday 31 December 2007 at 13:25 by Lisa Martland

Even the creative team responsible for the 2006 original Disney Channel movie High School Musical must have been surprised by its rapid, global success.

Only a couple of years on, with a film sequel proving just as popular, it is not unusual to find young girls in possession of everything from HSM dolls to cheerleader outfits.

Indeed, many of the latter could be spotted in an audience packed with fans eager to see their favourite characters portrayed in a live setting. They were not disappointed, thanks to top ice producers Feld Entertainment sharing the credits with a number of high-class creative talents, a couple of whom worked on the HSM movies.

Director Jeff Calhoun ensures the fast-paced action flows slickly from scene to scene as we find out whether school basketball captain Troy Bolton and shy, smart Gabriella Montez will win the lead roles in the school musical. Act II goes on to cover the events of High School Musical 2 as the couple’s romance continues to blossom during the summer vacation.

Particularly impressive is the way the two films, including all the catchy musical numbers, have been cleverly recreated for the ice tour. Quick changing images on a large screen help create the backdrop for different set pieces - production design by Jeremy Railton - and Erin Lareau’s costumes are spot-on.

Choreographer Charles Klapow deserves special credit for keeping many of the characteristics of the original dance moves, but also taking advantage of the ice.

Though there are occasional stumbles, the dancing seems of a high standard. Gladys Orozco, as Gabriella, is graceful in her solo routines, while Helena Grundberg and V’yacheslav Chiliy are smugness personified as Sharpay and Ryan.