ShawneeDispatch.com

There will be no Fourth of July fireworks display in Shawnee Mission Park this year, but the sparks are sure to fly at Theatre in the Park’s rendition of “High School Musical.”

The popular Disney franchise kicked off a three-week Theatre in the Park run June 26. The production is unlike any other previously performed at Theatre in the Park — all but two cast members are students.

Katie Hollis, a 2009 Mill Valley High School graduate, Kelsie Schuman, a Mill Valley junior, and De Soto High School junior Cora Schimke are just a few young thespians to in the cast.

Katie plays Sharpay Evans, the head thespian at East High School in New Mexico.

“She’s pretty much gotten the leads every year,” Katie said of her character. “She thinks she’s pretty much all that.”

Kelsie plays Kelsie Nielson, the composer of the high school’s yearly musical.

“She’s the awkward, klutzy composer,” Kelsie said.

Cora plays one of the many cheerleaders in the production.

“We do a lot of the dancing and, of course, we cheer on the basketball boys,” Cora said. “So, we’re mostly with the jocks and all goo-goo-gaga over Troy.”

Katie performed in previous Theatre in the Park productions of “West Side Story,” “Bye Bye Birdie” and “Grease,” while Kelsie and Cora are making their Theatre in the Park debut.

Still, all three have extensive experience in productions at their own high schools.

“I did musicals all four years and a couple of shows out at Starlight,” Katie said. “I’ve had lead part in my high school plays, but this is the biggest in Theatre in the Park.”

Cora said Theatre in the Park sparked her interest as a way to branch out.

“I’ve been in theater since middle school and I’m big into dance. I’ve danced since I was 3,” she said. “So, I thought about combining with others not just in my school. I love how tight and close the cast is. It’s a great experience to perform in front of a lot of people. There are 11 shows for ‘High School Musical,’ so it’s a long process.”

The stage production of “High School Musical” differs slightly from the original Disney movie.

Katie, Kelsie and Cora were familiar with “High School Musical” before joining the Theatre in the Park cast but warn the changes make the production even better.

“There’s actually some different songs,” Katie said. “The is quite a bit that is different, but people won’t be disappointed.”

Kelsie’s character has a love interest in the stage version, something that was never mentioned in the movie.

Katie’s experience this year differs from previous summers at Theatre in the Park.

“It’s definitely very different,” she said. “Besides that the cast is made of all high-schoolers, except two adults, it’s set in a more present ear, which makes a completely different vibe for the show.”

The name recognition for “High School Musical” is sure to bring droves of theater-goers to Shawnee Mission Park, Katie said.

“‘High School Musical’ in itself is a pretty big name,” she said. “People that haven’t seen the movie have heard of it and a lot of kids love it.”

Tracie Holley, Theatre in the Park coordinator, said attendance for the first weekend of the show wasn’t available yet, though attendance was a bit off.

“It wasn’t as thick as we thought because of the weather,” she said. “Sunday was great. Saturday because it looked like rain and Friday because of the heat attendance was lower.”

“High School Musical” continues its Theatre in the Park run Thursday through Sunday, and again July 9 through July 12. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. at the park, 7710 Renner Road.