Pupils bring hit show home

The Augusta Players Youth Theatre is bringing Disney's High School Musical to Columbia County.

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"The show reminds me of a modern-day Grease ," director Rebecca Brune said.

The Disney musical focuses on teens auditioning for a high-school musical.

By the final scene, Brune said, the main characters have learned that there's more to life than high-school cliques.

"At the end of the show, they realize that it's OK to do other things," she said.

Brune, who became the youth theatre director for the Augusta Players in December, said about 100 students auditioned for the musical and 32 were cast.

Many of the students performing in the show, she said, attend Columbia County middle and high schools, including Greenbrier High School, Augusta Christian Schools and Augusta Preparatory Day School.

Since the middle of April, the cast has rehearsed several times a week, and as opening night neared, they rehearsed every weekday, Brune said.

"They put their heart and soul into the whole thing, and it's great," she said.

Brune added that the musical will contain lots of singing and dancing, and she expects the crowd will find the show fun.

The students will perform at Augusta Prep's Hull Fine Arts Center at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. Sunday.

"I expect to sell out," Brune said. "We've had a great response. My hope is that we have to open another show."

After the June performances, she said the High School Musical script will most likely sit on the shelf for some time.

"We'll probably wait a while before we do this one again," Brune said.

Tickets cost $12 for adults and seniors and $8 for children ages 10 and younger. Brune encourages people to purchase tickets early.

Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling the Augusta Players at (706) 826-4707 or going online at www.augustaplayers.org.