DHS Productions’ annual musical is an event that the Danbury community looks forward to every spring. On March 22 to March 24, the company will debut Disney’s High School Musical.

High School Musical captures the essence of Troy Bolton, captain of the basketball team, and Gabriella, a member of the scholastic decathlon. The unlikely thespians happen to audition for their school musical. This surprises the entire school because they don’t fit the stereotype of the students who usually try out for theater events. This show promotes the themes of being yourself and following your dreams.

Michael Burnett, director of Danbury High School Productions, is thrilled that the school will put High School Musical on the boards.

“This show accomplishes many goals,” says Burnett, who teaches acting and speech arts classes. “It is going to draw together many students.  It is a high energy show, which is the trademark of DHS productions. And in a time when we are rightfully focused on politics, the state of our country and the state of our world, sometimes you just need to have fun. This show will definitely be fun.”

This year Burnett will have the opportunity to do two student matinees. This is a first for Danbury High School Productions. For two days, students from the elementary and middle schools will be able to come and see the show.

Burnett is especially happy about this, “these are the most important performances to me as my interest in theatre came from an elementary school trip that I was on to see a production of Fiddler on the Roof at WCSU.”

“Theatre is too large an undertaking for one person to take on all parts of the staging of a large-scale musical.  We have people involved in the production, house management, set design and construction, lighting and sound, costume design and building, props, musical directing, orchestra, and concessions.” Says Burnett.

Justin Morgan, the technical director, Susan Mckenzie, the musical director, Amanda Johnson, the producer, and Scott Carrizo, who will be helping with set design and execution, are already busy planning to make sure the musical is ready for March.

Several students auditioned for roles in the musical and there were several stages they need to go through before they get the role.

Burnett says that he always has to battle false rumors each year that roles had been decided on before auditions.

“That is absolutely untrue,” Burnett says. “Most often when we have students sing or read for certain roles, there are surprises in casting decisions that we would never have expected.  Students need to be appropriate for the role vocally, meaning their vocal range matches that of the character, they need to be believable in the role as an actor, and most important, their chemistry needs to work with others cast in opposing roles.”

Burnett said that he hopes that by producing High School Musical and by having student matinees, the show will be one of the most successful ever at DHS. 

“My hope is that this will be one of our biggest musicals to date here at DHS,” he says. “I am looking forward to bringing in two audiences of middle and elementary school students and inspiring them to become involved in any of the many aspects of theatre that they will have available here at DHS.”