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1 Comment [ View ]Bountiful teen lives 'HSM' dream
By NANCY VAN VALKENBURGShawn Carter has one last year at Bountiful High School, but millions of film fans will see him graduate this weekend.
Carter, 17, is a principal dancer in "High School Musical 3: Senior Year," out today. He also danced in the first two films, which ran on cable television channels owned by Disney.
"The movie turned out fantastic," said Carter, still on an emotional high after attending "HSM3's" Los Angeles premiere last week. "It's a lot bigger and better than 'High School Musical 2' was. All the little girls were screaming, and that's always a good sign."
All three films were shot in Utah. The first two films set industry records for DVDs and soundtracks sold. An ice show and Broadway touring show already have made their way through the state. High schools and community theaters, including Perry's Heritage Community Theatre, have produced a stage version of the show.
Big-box discount stores have sold a steady supply of "High School Musical" fashions, lunchboxes, notebooks, jewelry, backpacks, gloves, purses, etc., since the phenomenal success of the first film in 2006. Advance tickets for today's debut of "High School Musical 3" have been selling for weeks.
"I just love that our hard work paid off," said Carter, the morning after he screened the film. "The scenes, the sets, the singing, the dancing, everything is even better than anyone expected. I think we will top of 'Pirates of the Caribbean' in theaters. I hope people like it as much as I did."
OK, you may be thinking it's unlikely Johnny Depp is quaking in his pirate boots, but consider the manic, youthful fan base, and the new film's G rating.
"Kids love it, and parents like that they can get involved," said Carter, of Bountiful. "I always hear parents talking about how nice the 'High School Musical' films are, and how there is no bad language and nothing demeaning. It's fun to watch, it shows good morals, and I think kids can learn from it and grow."
The premise
"High School Musical" is an upbeat teen movie about high-school sweethearts Troy (Zac Efron) and Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens), who come from different backgrounds and different teen cliques. She is a "brainiac," he is a jock.
Brainiac (noun): Smart person. Example: (A certain president) isn't a brainiac. Source: www.urbandictionary.com.
The two get together, break apart, and show everyone how to accept minor personal differences and to nurture secret dreams. The couple then reunites, all while doing nearly nonstop singing and dancing.
That synopsis pretty much works for both the original and "High School Musical 2."
The film and stage versions of "High School Musical" have been credited with making the performing arts more accessible to teens. That was the case for Josh Felix, a 15-year-old Brigham City resident who acted in the Heritage Community Theatre play.
"I liked the movie when I saw it, and thought the play would be a lot of fun, too, and it was," said Felix, who played a brainiac.
"It was a little intimidating at first, but with time, it got a lot easier," he said, of his first stage experience. "I liked being whatever the character needed to be. I would normally sit in a corner and read, or listen to music. Acting helps me not do that. It helps me get out there and meet people. And I'm already cast in my next play."
Pyper Lish, 16, of Mantua, appeared in the HCT production, playing Martha Cox, a chubby brainiac who dreams of break dancing.
"The show has a good message, to just be unified no matter what your petty differences," she said. "They won't matter in the end. It's about forgetting about the cliques and prejudices of high school, and coming together as one."
Lish had performed in other musicals at her high school, but still found being in "High School Musical" a growth experience.
"I think it really helps you come out of yourself, and be more confident in what you are doing, and not hold back," she said.
Cara Anderson, 17, of Honeyville, played a brainiac and a cheerleader in the HCT production.
"I liked how the movie characters were able to get out of their comfort zone, and do something they enjoyed personally, and that's in the play, too," she said. "I really like to sing, so singing on stage was only a little out of my comfort zone, but dancing was way out of my comfort zone. There's a lot of dancing in the play. It gets better, the more time you spend doing it. "
Ryan Erwin, 17, of Brigham City, said he thinks a lot of people are inspired by the films and play.
"It's a good message, that you don't have to stay within yourself," said Erwin, who played a brainiac, a nerd and a basketball player in the HCT production. "You can try different things. You feel like it could really happen in your school. The story is about being positive and being yourself."
Nerd (noun): One whose I.Q. exceeds his weight. A stereotypical label used to describe a person that is socially inadequate. A four-letter word, but a six-figure income. Example: Bill Gates, but typically on a smaller scale. Source: www.urbandictionary.com.
Shawn Carter
Carter said the "High School Musical" films have sparked both career growth and social growth for him.
"It's been great to watch Zac and Vanessa and Corbin (Bleu, as "Chad") and Lucas (Grabeel, as "Ryan")," Carter said. "I love how they act, and they have helped me as an actor to try new things, and to be as professional as they are. I've made friends I expect to have for my whole life. And the films have helped me start my own career."
Carter also appeared in "The American Mall," an MTV network film, and this summer shot his first lead role, in "Scout Camp," with Utah filmmaker Kirby Heybourne. "Scout Camp" should be released sometime in 2009, Carter said. He also stayed in Los Angeles a day or two after his "HSM3" premiere, doing auditions.
His next ambition?
"Hopefully I can make my school's basketball team again this year," Carter said, referring to the Bountiful Braves. "The tryouts are in a few weeks."
Lactose tolerance
As for the four teens interviewed from the Heritage Community Theatre production, all agree on a few more issues.
The play beats out the films. Additional character development makes the stage story more focused and engaging, they said.
All plan to see "High School Musical 3," some immediately, others after the lines have died down considerably.
And despite their appreciation of the music, dance, characters and moral of "High School Musical," all agree that they have probably aged out of the film's target audience of children and young teens.
"It's 'cheesy,' but it's good," Lish said, of the film franchise. "The films are good and cheesy. Cheesy in a good way."
"Cheesy" (adjective): Sentimental, maudlin, melodramatic, corny. Example: "That Celine Dion song is so cheesy." Source: www.urbandictionary.com.
"Yeah, it's super cheesy," Erwin agreed.
"Sweet, but cheesy," Anderson said.
"It's a little cheesy, but it's supposed to be," Felix said. "My sisters love it."
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Way to go, Shawn! This is a great young man from a wonderful family.
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