Herricks Middle School recently presented the Disney favorite, “High School Musical Jr.., a story about friendship, first love and acceptance. The show featured 40 actors, 40 musicians and a backstage crew of students in grades 6, 7 and 8. Students performed to a live audience in four performances in mid-February.

The performance opened with the company singing the catchy “Wildcat Cheer.” They were then joined by the lead characters transitioning into “Start of Something New.” The twists and turns of the show took the audience into various classrooms, hallways and in the school’s gym with enjoyable dance routines that included “Get’cha Head in the Game” with basketballs in hand. The show closed with the entire cast performing “We’re All in This Together.”

“We were excited to bring live theater back to the Herricks community,” stated Anissa Arnold, Herricks director of fine and performing arts. “I am very proud of each middle school student involved with this show for their hard work and dedication which culminated in this truly outstanding production.”

“Since October, these young performers have worked extremely hard every day after school to put together this production. We had vocal, dance, and staging rehearsals while learning all the aspects of theater as well,” said Tyler Patrick Matos, director and choreographer. Matos expressed his pride for all of the performers. “I had an incredible team by my side, with an amazing group of talented and dedicated students who wanted to learn and perform,” Matos said. “I hope everyone involved in ‘High School Musical’ had an enjoyable experience, whether in the cast, crew, pit or audience.”