New Zac and Vanessa? High School Musical 2 in Sydney

Hey girls and boys, what would you say if we told you we reckon we’ve found Australia’s answer to Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens?

Nova went to check out the hot new stage production of High School Musical 2 at the Zenith Theatre in Chatswood the other night, and the sexy duo rocked our little socks off!

If you’re a fan of the movie franchise, you might struggle to imagine how the storyline of High School Musical 2, plus the songs and dances could translate on stage. But trust us, it all works. The dancing, choreographed by Joanne Gilmour, is so energetic you’d be forgiven for thinking the show is sponsored by Red Bull, and these kids have got pipes to rival the original Hollywood cast, trust us. The whole audience were tapping their toes and jiggling to the sounds of “What time is it?”, “You are the music in me”, ”I don't dance”, “Bet on it” - and we damn near shed a tear as Tim Neville (Troy) and Angelique Bosman (Gabrielle) belted out the emotional “Gotta Go My Own Way”.

Tim Neville, who plays Troy as well as Zac Efron does in the movie (and looks just as buff), is a real-life, all singing, all-dancing basketball player, who travelled twice a week from the Gold Coast for rehearsals – that’s dedication for you. His on-stage girlfriend, Gabrielle, played by the glossy-haired Angelique Bosman is a real star in the making… she really shines when she hits those high notes, in spite of dancing hard and fast enough to make lesser women puke!
 
The show is based around the High School Wildcats and friends, working summer jobs at Ryan and Sharpay’s family country club. Sharpay, played by the uber talented Ashleigh Rubenach (what a voice!) is the bitchy blonde intent on causing trouble and taking the prize in the annual talent show. Fuelled by jealousy over Troy and Gabrielle’s romance, she ups the ante on the rivalry by getting her claws into a troubled Troy… much to the annoyance of Gabrielle, who just wants to have a good summer, singing songs with her man. Aww, bless.

Don't miss this amazing show, folks! Talent and action like this on stage is very rare, especially in a cast so young. Go Wildcats - you are the music in all of us!

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2 is running 4-15 May, 2010 at the Zenith Theatre, Chatswood. Tickets from $25.

Check out this exclusive backstage footage of the cast in rehearsal: