The well-known story follows the lives of two teenagers from different worlds: Troy, a popular basketball star, and Gabriella, a shy, but smart, newcomer.
Melissa O'Neil, winner of season three of "Canadian Idol," will be taking the stage as Gabriella. She told The Mirror she has kept busy since she took her confetti shower more than four years ago - including an 18-month stint in the Toronto stage production of "Dirty Dancing."
"The experience was incredible. You become a family when you work with people for that long," she said. "It was really hard moving on from that show, but you move on to bigger and better things, I hope."
O'Neil said audience members can expect a high-energy performance and a lot of fun when the curtain goes up on "High School Musical" starting June 3.
"It's incredible," she said. "Young kids and grandmas alike are all baffled by how much energy (the show has).... Even audience members will be tired by it at the end."
Co-star David Cotton - who plays Troy - agreed.
"You can expect high energy (and) high enthusiasm. It's almost (like) 'Grease'.... Young love (and) the cast is so talented. It's a great group of young people who are excited to perform."
While some may have been overwhelmed by tackling such a popular character, O'Neil said she approached it more as an opportunity.
"It was just really exciting because it is such a familiar character to so many kids out there," she said. "There is so much room to put my own twist on it because they already know who she is."
Alex Mustakas, artistic director for Drayton Entertainment, said "High School Musical" represents a chance for a new generation to discover live theatre.
"It's wonderful to see the vast interest that this Disney musical has sparked," he said in a press release. "It is my hope that our stage production will instil a lifelong appreciation for live theatre among the young families who will gather at the King's Wharf Theatre this June."
"High School Musical" will play eight shows a week through June 20. Tickets are available by calling the box office at 549-5555 or 1-888-449-4463. Visit www.kingswharftheatre.com for more information.
