Review: High School Musical 2

High School Musical 2 is the energy bomb of early summer

Since last year’s High School Musical , produced by the Helsinki City Theatre, was a success, it was no surprise that HSM2 was also brought to the stage at the Savoy Theatre. And as a rule, with the same working group that made a successful outcome last time, from the director to the main roles.

The sequels of a successful work are always a double-edged sword. On the one hand, you have the components of assured success, on the other hand, forcing the topic to continue can water everything down.
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Even though you accept that HMS2 is first and foremost a cavalcade of songs and dances, you can’t help but pay attention to its script, which is even more clumsy than the first part. The whole first act is really just a presentation of the situation and a set of events. Only after the intermission does the drama itself start and the performance also increases the interest of those who have not just come to listen to and watch the performances of familiar performers’ songs from the movie. Of course, this is not the fault of the performing group or the performers.

And if the first part taught you to believe in and trust yourself, now the focus is on community and the importance of being a member of the group and keeping your promises. Pretty good and useful principles for everyone.

The events take place during the summer holidays, in a luxury resort owned by Sharpey and Ryan’s father, where the whole familiar group has gotten summer jobs in Troy’s wake. Of course, the viciously self-centered Sharpey has his sights set on winning both the summer talent contest and Troy, and he almost succeeds in them. This time, he is put in line by both his brother Ryan and also the manager of the resort. On the side, both Troy and Gabriella learned new things about themselves and their relationship.

Professional musical expertise

Since the performing group had already shown themselves to be great singers and dancers last year, it was taken for granted that the level would be the same this year as well. And there was no need to be disappointed in expectations. Directed by Marco Bjuström and choreographed by Peter Pihlström , the positive energy and enthusiasm for performance literally floods into the audience and leaves a good mood for a long time.
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In addition to the joy and spectacle of the group scenes, Gabriella’s breakup song Toimi tä ei is also memorable, which Yasmine Yamajako interprets touchingly. Jukka Nylund’s Troyn song about keeping his promises doesn’t quite reach the same intensity, even though his interpretation of the role has more credibility than last year.

Anna Laulumaa’s lovably disgusting Sharpey and Samuel Harjanne’s light-hearted sharpening Ryan are charmingly typified. Fulton, the almost cynical leader of Raine Heiskanen , skilfully balances in the cross-currents of various pressures and only gets to show off his excellent dancing and singing skills in praise.

Kati Lukka creates the views of the lavish resort efficiently on stage, mainly through video projections. Jarkko Valde’s costumes are both street-credible youth fashion and wonderfully over-the-top rich girl style.

I have no doubt that HSM2 will be a hit among the youth of the Helsinki metropolitan area as much as its predecessor. It is also heartwarming proof that there will continue to be multi-skilled and skilled professionals for musical productions in our country.