From left, Joey Fischer (Ryan Evans), Julia Helget (Sharpay), Jacob Stevens (Troy Bolton), Natalie Marti (Gabriella), Maya Nelson (Taylor), and Caleb Schumacher (Chad) perform.

Excitement and high energy from start to finish, “High School Musical,” will be presented in the St. Mary’s auditorium by Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s High School at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, March 20, 21 and at 2 p.m., Sunday, March 22.

It is the story of two high school students, Troy Bolton (Jacob Stevens), captain of East High School’s Wildcats basketball team, and Gabriella Montez (Natalie Marti), a shy top student.

Both of them try out for lead roles in their school’s musical (and quickly fall in love in the process) despite the lack of support from the rest of their classmates, especially Sharpay Evans (Julia Helget) and her brother/sidekick Ryan Evans (Joey Fischer) who believed that the lead roles belong to them. Are these high schoolers going to “Stick to the Status Quo” or will all of the varied groups including the jocks, thespians, brainiacs, and skaters discover that they truly are “All in This Together”?

Directed by Geri Pelzel with the assistance of vocal director Rachel Moldan and choreographer Amy Bohnen, High School Musical is sure to be What You’re Looking For. The months of hard work and commitment by the students and directors are evident in the high quality, high energy show.

“The amount of energy the cast is putting into rehearsals night after night is impressive,” Pelzel said. “They are working endlessly to ensure a very entertaining, high-quality musical for everyone to enjoy.”

It’s basketball season with the East High School Wildcats and for many other teams as well.

To purchase advanced tickets, please call (507-794-4121) or visit the St. Mary’s High School Office between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Reserved tickets are available for each performance, costing $10 for adults; $7 for students aged 13-18; and $6 for students preschool to age 12. There will also be available seats for walk-ins at each performance.

Go Wildcats!

Photos by Geri Pelzel, Fritz Busch

THE CAST

JOCKS

Julia Helget (Sharpay) and Joey Fischer (Ryan Evans) take stage as the brother/sister act who think they should have the lead in the musical.

Troy Bolton Jacob Stevens

Chad Caleb Schumacher

Zeke Patrick Hoffmann

Jason Jacob Lux

Other Jocks: Nick Labat, Kaleb Wait, Braden Hansen, Owen Weiss, John Balko, Brad Balko

THESPIANS

Sharpay Julia Helget

Ryan Evans Joey Fischer

James (earthworm auditioner) Laurence Simonsen

Susan (emotional auditioner) Trista Ibberson

Cathy ( eager auditioner) Vanessa Goblirsch

Alan ( nervous auditioner) Owen Weiss

Cyndra (opera auditioner) Leah Miller

Other performance arts kids: Kenadi Steffl, Sophie Kyllonen, Kayla Schroepfer, Cecilia Joyce

BRAINIACS

Gabriella Natalie Marti

Taylor Maya Nelson

Martha (secret passion for hip-hop) Abby Schwartz

Kratnoff (history buff) Katelyn Rutscher

Other Brainiacs: Leah Miller, Emily Helget, Lacey Mathiowetz

SKATERS

Ripper (secret passion for cello) CJ Surprenant

Mongo Vanessa Goblirsch

Other Skaters : Allie Labat, Trista Ibberson, Kenadi Steffl

OTHER STUDENTS

Jack Scott John Miller

Kelsi Emma Currans

Wildcat Cheerleaders .Kallie Zarn, Bella Hoffmann, Chloe Walter, Lauren Hoffmann, Samantha Ibberson, Addie Hoffmann

Fans/Spectators: Lyndsey Sellner, Nora Hoffmann, Rachel Portner, Amelia Schwartz, Reagan Schmitz, Maria Schwartz, Caroline Currans, Alexa Pelzel, Meriden Andres, Cole Schroepfer, Riley Rutscher, Ellianna Sanow, Emily Ericksen, Emma Fischer

ADULTS

Ms. Darbus Maddie Hose

Coach Bolton CJ Surprenant