Who was your first love? Think back to the blissful first gaze of you and your future soulmate. Twinkling lights and soft music serenaded even the briefest encounters, and the longing lingered after the moment passed – then time started up again like a cold slap to the face. The coach blew his whistle, the basketball shoes squeaked across the court floor, the cheerleaders shouted and the air was thick with the cacophony of teenage angst. Now, imagine it with your friends dancing to Disney show tunes and prepare to be delighted.
This Friday (May 5), you’re invited to a musical with a feel-good formula that’s tried and true. Durango Arts Center’s growing youth theater company is bringing “Disney’s High School Musical, Jr.” to Durango and here’s the recipe: A touch of nostalgia, a handful of well choreographed musical numbers and a lot of charm. These young thespians will present to us a normal high school experience with a classic Romeo and Juliet story of young love. The path of romance is roundabout and full of twists, and there’s nothing that the other kids can’t help make worse for the star-crossed couple.
The transformation of the students into professional actors is impressive. Onstage before the director says, “Go!” the kids look a little awkward. Not sure where to put their hands or how to stand. But then, under the skillful direction of Jason Lythgoe, the scene begins and the kids are instantly animated, graceful, coordinated and confident.
“This is a fast-paced musical,” Lythgoe said. “During some of the quiet moments, I’ve enjoyed observing the students truly becoming the characters they play.”
Buy a ticket and you get to see two shows. You will also enjoy seeing Leap Day, a comedy overflowing with cuteness put on by second through fifth graders. The play begins with an annual meeting of the days of the week and Father Time. The days complain that they are overworked. Father Time tries to add a new day to the week to help take the load off but you can guess where that goes. Lessons are learned in friendship and forgiveness; ultimately Night is created to give the days a rest and there’s a fun happy ending.
One of the youth theater’s rising student interns, Timothy Collins (playing the role of Coach in HSM), has staged and choreographed much of the show and is appreciated for his leadership and theater skills.
Kids’ summer theater camps begin in June and will include performances of “The Grunch,” the world premier of “Mr. Groundhog Wants a Day Off” and “How to Survive Being in a Shakespeare Play.”
- Disney’s High School Musical, Jr. and Leap Day, 7 p.m. May 5-6 and
- 2 p.m. May 6-7. Tickets $10/$15.
- Night of Improv: May 12: Tickets $10/$15.
- Mr. B’s Vaudeville Show: 7 p.m. May 20. Tickets start at $20, buy them at www.secretcircussociety.com.
- Silent Sunday With Swanson: 2 p.m. May 21. $10/$15.
- Adult and teen auditions for “Bye Bye Birdie”: 6 p.m. May 21 in the DAC theater.
- That’s So Durango Adult Variety Show: 7:30 p.m. May 26-27 and June 2-3. Tickets $10/$15.
- The Looking Glass Collective exhibit “Art Inspired by Nature,” opening reception: 5-7 p.m.. May 5. Exhibit runs through June 16. Free, cash bar.
- Pastel Workshops by Juanita Nelson, 4:30-7 p.m. May 23. $90; Yvonne Holland, May 30 and 31. $90.
- Shop the Artisan’s Market: Open noon-6 p.m., Wednesday to Saturday.
- Summer camps for theater and visual arts are now open for online registration. Scholarships available.
For more information, visit DurangoArts.org.
Brenda Macon has been executive director of Durango Arts Center since 2018.
