Week five has begun and I cannot believe it! I just, I can’t wrap my head around the fact that we’re almost done!! WOW!! I don’t want to end; I’m getting into this more and more and finding new things in the show and in this role! In the second week or so I got sick, and had to learn more or less how to conserve my energy and voice for the show. Which can be tough 6 times a week out side with tricky microphones? I can’t tell you all the mic problems I’ve had. During one show my body microphone died altogether and I had to use a hand held microphone thankfully that worked for my character and he was able to pull it off! It was interesting and part of the fun of live theatre I guess you could say! One performance I went on to do the show sick and my voice was very rough and deep, I got off stage and was asked “When did James Earl Jones join the show?!” It sounded kind of cool I have to admit but that went away pretty soon after! Like I started to say before, I really had to learn how to conserve my voice and energy I got sick a few times in the beginning from exhaustion and not taking care of my voice. I didn’t have to become a silent monk but be better about conserving my voice over all. I’m enjoying this and the “Will Gallagher fan clubs” that come. I actually had a group of my friends come with t-shirts and signs with my name that got into trouble for making TOO MUCH NOISE every time I came on stage. I thought it was cool though! I come from a very large supportive family and have a lot of amazing friends who have come to see the show, some several times! There are very few nights where I don’t know someone in the audience so Jim Myers (Coach Bolton) and Tommy Swimm (One of the best damn athletes in the show) always joke “how many people in the Will Gallagher fan club are coming tonight!”. We really do have a great time here I’m going to miss the cast especially these two guys! I know I’ve talked about them before but Tommy is just a great guy, so funny if Only he weren’t a Red Sox fan! And Jim, I love hearing his stories, the first show I remember seeing was Hello Dolly here at Park Playhouse, one of my favorite shows, it really influenced me to start performing and to come here! He’s such a great guy and friend! I love talking to him we have our chats and have a good time when there’s a hundred 10 year old girls swarming the stage for “Sharpay and Gabriella” autographs! Ok it’s 5:30 and I have to get going the nice thing about the jr. show Suessical being on is that we have a later call time but I don’t always know what to do with the extra free time (especially when paring’s a pain) so I’ve seen the end of that show about 5 times! PLEASE COME SEE THE SHOW!! Talk to you soon!
(***This is one of the final blog segments that we have on file from Will, he wrote several blogs that have been lost in e-mails and in a journal that if we find will post on here when we do! Until then please enjoy these as the Summer Session HSM Blogs are preparing to come to a close!***)
We’ve been working hard the past few days, here’s another blog from the summer series, it will soon be coming to a close and we also have several back logged blogs will’s sent us recently of his Television Work and travels to northern New York! Enjoy-
Well we’re at week four, I think I wrote two weeks ago, I’m sorry I don’t write more but more or less (now thankfully more) I’m working 7 days a week usually Monday through Friday 8:45-3:15 and then performing Tuesday through Sunday Nights! So I am exhausted try that while starting a new relationship, keeping up with friends and family and prepping to moving away for College in a few weeks and I’m more or less dead! (I know, I know there are a lot of people in the world and in my area who work TEN BILLION TIMES HARDER than I could ever imagine, and thank you to them!…I’m just explaining why it takes some time to get these up, I always thought I’d throw one up a day!) So I apologize I write them usually around midnight to 1am on a word document and put them somewhere for someone on this crew or myself (I’m not totally capable but I try to help with this site) to put them up! It’s been getting a lot better guys I have to tell you the audiences are coming out in droves now! And I have to say thank you, to the many many many! Friends and family members who have come to see HSM! It truly does mean the world to me to have you all there you’re all a really big inspiration for me being here! Thank You sooo much! From family and friends to former cast mates, directors and teachers (also friends). On top of it all the weather has been nicer to us recently, over all we’ve cancelled 8 times but August has been good to us! Some people are coming to see the show 2,3,4 times because they love it so much! Others come because they’re hearing about the intermission performance. At intermission at Park Playhouse every year the cast and producers come and sing a mock up of a song from that years show asking for donations, our song is set to the tune of What I’ve been looking for (the Ryan and Sharpay version) how ever in the middle we sing “ The big park playhouse THRILL” And of course in honor of the late Michael Jackson the cast breaks into thriller! That has been happening all summer but what has been added recently is that Mickey Mouse now joins the cast on stage at intermission and does thriller with them and the crowds (and the cast and crew too) are loving it! Also there is a lot of love going on right now the Junior Production that gets put on before the Main stage show opened this week at 5, Suessical The Musical Jr. It’s cute and fun about and hour and fifteen minutes, a nice mix of Horton hears a who and a few other Dr. Suess Favorites! So please check the kids out and then stay for us at 8pm! Well gang I’m sorry there hasn’t been anything-big Oh wait! My friend and catholic high alum Liz Raab is the Understudy for Martha Cox, she will be playing the role the final week! And she went on recently when Kathrine couldn’t go on in the role! She ROCKED it out! Definitely come and see her portrayal! We also got REVIEWED …. FINALLY!!! In all seriousness it was a pretty nice review and it was while our own Broadway alum Alyson Lange was on in the role of Gabriella, she knocked it out of the park every night and was a complete joy! We had people coming to see her portrayal and it was worth it!! We love Michelle G who plays the role normally she’s also fantastic but it was cool to see a different take! With either girl in the role you’re in for a good show! We’ll post the review when we get a chance! Ok guys It’s getting down to the wire here (I’m actually writing during the day but now I have to eat and head off to the show!) My other job ends this week which is good because then I can rest and pack, but sad because I love that job completely! Alright its time to get into wildcat mode! Even though I feel like there’s something I should be telling you guys…OH YEAH! We recorded a DVD recently of the show I don’t think its up for distribution to the public, unfortunately our friend Jake Fisch has been very sick recently and was out several shows we postponed the DVD shooting a day or two but finally had to shoot with out him L Jake buddy we’re very sorry and bummed you weren’t there! Ok guys now I’m out of here! Talk to you soon!
This is another blog Will wrote over the summer, we apologize for the tardyness things have been very hecitic (in a good way for this staff, things will be updated more soon!) Keep an eye open now for the next installment in Will’s Summary Series Blogs-
Hey guys,
It’s been some time! The show is going pretty well, we’re waiting on a review and for the rain to STOP!!! In the two weeks that we’ve been open we’ve rained out and had to cancel 4 out of 12 shows! Opening night was great! Like I said and when we’ve had audiences and… not had rain they’ve been amazing! I can’t stress enough, how much I feel like a rock star! It’s corny and cliché’ but to be honest I feel the message of the show, which is more or less its not what you do, who your known as or how you look its who you are on the inside, and more or less not judging a book by its cover! I completely feel that! I’m dressed head to toe like a big “geek” my hair is pushed down in front of my face with massive glasses (They’ve grown twice from what I wore my first performances and previews…I originally just wore my normal glasses but that changed and the glasses got a tad larger now they’re huge!) big pants and sweater vests, I gained a little weight for this role but with the make up hair (and really sweater vests) I look much larger than I am in all honesty! Please if you’re a friend come down at intermission, I know that the crowds are insane but its worth the wait please come down and say hi!! The intermissions have been INSANE!! It’s a great feeling to see all these people who are enjoying it and really appreciating your work! And there is a never-ending supply of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL SHIRTS!! SERIOUSLY!! We sell two purple and black ones and they keep selling out! But all the kids have different shirt I kid you not I’ve seen probably 75 different HSM shirts! Some light up, some have logos, some have Zach Efron’s face on them…..So Yea! Well it’s Monday night and I’m trying to go bed at a semi decent hour tonight!! (I have to work from about 8:45-3:15) tomorrow and then the show at night…LONG DAY, But Fun! And Coach Jim! (Jim Myers the Flower guy in real life!) is probably the coolest guy he and Tommy swimm are amazing I’m so happy that I’ve befriended them! They get me through many performances! They are fun on stage and off! So check them out and come see the show!!!
Will’s other blogs from the summer will be up soon but to hold things over until we get them up, we wanted to put up the popular review on the show from the Albany Times Union. Enjoy! -WillGallagher.net staff
‘High School Musical’ a winner at Park Playhouse
Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=826756&category=ARTS&BCCode=&newsdate=8/1/2009#ixzz0SuUm7s9X
By STEVE BARNES, Senior writer
First published in print: Saturday, August 1, 2009
ALBANY — Somehow, as a result of fate, luck or my own contrariness, I had thus far not seen a single second nor, that I was aware of, heard a single note of “High School Musical,” in any form: not on screen or stage or iPod, in original or sequel incarnations.
Which either makes me ideal or woefully under-contextualized to review Park Playhouse’s production of the show, running at the Washington Park Lakehouse amphitheater through late August.
From what I knew of it, “HSM” sure seemed like something I’d hate: all those middle-class kids mooning over one another and saying things like, “I’ve just got to be me” before bursting into song and patly solving everything. And that Zac Efron? Egad. I didn’t know it was possible to loathe someone other than Paris Hilton just from presence in the tabloids.
And yet, somehow, as a result of fate, luck or the talented team assembled by Park Playhouse, starting with longtime area performer Robert Dalton, making his mainstage directorial debut, this “High School Musical” is a winner that delighted me.
The singing is mostly strong, the dancing exciting, the performers engaging, despite persistent sound and microphone problems throughout Thursday’s performance. More importantly, the infusion of a large cast of mostly new, young faces gives the Park Playhouse stage a vital and fresh feel.
This isn’t transformative or even adventurous theater, but it’s a good family night out, as attested to by the scores of youngsters who thronged the stage at intermission to gather autographs from an obliging cast that spent almost all of their half-hour break out with the fans.
For the rare reader as clueless as I was prior to 8 p.m. Thursday, “HSM” follows the students at East High, who are divided up into cliques of jocks, brainiacs, skaters and thespians. Worlds collide and love ignites when the star jock (and basketball coach’s son), Troy, meets the new smart girl, Gabriella, and they both decide to indulge their heretofore secret passion for singing by trying out for the school musical.
Helping and supporting them, usually, are his squad of jock buddies and her brainy friends, while the antagonists are brother-sister twin theater divas Ryan and Sharpay, who have had the leads in 17 productions and don’t intend to lose the next one to newcomers.
As Troy, SUNY-Geneseo theater student Sean Lessard, though an appealing performer, seems to have been cast because he’s a ringer for Efron, from the forward-pushed mop of straight chestnut hair to the wiry frame. You don’t believe for a second that he’s a jock — he never treats the basketball as an extension of himself, and he bounces around like a dancer — but Lessard is clearly trained and talented: His moves have pop and finish. If he overacts the aw-shucks awkwardness of new love, well, that’s high school, and his voice, though not stellar, is an easy listen.
Cast member Alyson Lange stepped into the lead female role in Thursday’s performance, but, aside from some hesitancy at the beginning of a couple of slower numbers, she didn’t seem like an understudy; Gabriella’s duets with Troy had palpable emotion and pleasing harmonies.
Among the supporting players, Christopher Huntley as Chad, Troy’s best buddy, has a bright, clear voice, abundant personality and huge charisma; a bolder production would have cast him as Troy. I also liked Michelle Oppedisano as Taylor, as one of the brainiacs; young Collin Kather, as a thespian named James, brings joy and expressive flash to his dancing (you can’t keep your eyes off the kid); and Courtney Van Dyke is the best performer on the stage by a mile as the cartoonishly hilarious drama teacher.
Director Dalton and choreographer Greg Marsh deserve credit for their adroit deployment of a large cast, Dalton especially for his smart use of the multilevel stage, designed by veteran Park Playhouse producer Ven Borromeo.
Like every other outdoor entertainment this summer, “HSM” has suffered from our woeful weather. But if you find yourself free on a nice summer night over the next three weeks, grab a picnic and head to the Lakehouse. It would be a shame to miss this show, especially if your kids are fans.
*photo taken by the Schule Family
*Park Playhouse Promotional Photo
*photo taken by the Schule Family
*photo taken by the Schule Family
*photo taken by the Schule Family
*photo taken by the Schule Family
*photo taken by the Schule Family
(***ENJOY MORE TO COME LATER!!!***)
Well the show has opened…Opening night was a….a LOT of fun! It was a nice audience and very receptive…I could not prepare for opening night! It was a day of thrills and excitement that everyone took part in from the pure excitement and cheers from my co-workers at Summer Camp to the love and support from my family, friends and cast…I can’t tell you how many High School Musical gifts I got and HOW MANY HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THINGS EXIST IN THE WORLD…Not only did I get a ton of little HSM things but I got a Massive 4 piece HSM Balloon and full size HSM Wildcats Piñata from my sister! I just want to thank all my family and friends for all their wonderful and on going love and support. Its because of all of you that I made it through opening night and I’m excited for a great run! I have to tell it wasn’t nerves I was unprepared for but the crowd! I’ve never felt like a rock star so much in my life…Especially dressed as a nerd!! From We’re all in this together (reprise)….The number you know from the movie, through the MEGAMIX Finale it’s a rush of excitement with people singing and dancing in the aisles!! I am exhausted but we opened to two good shows and are rained out…..I’m going to try to rest now I’ll write soon! COME SEE THE SHOW!!!!
Well weeks three and four have been a mixture of grueling and tedious to say the very least! We have transitioned from the rehearsal space to the theatre!! It has not been an easy move; in the past weeks we’ve been VERY busy. Our lead Sean (Troy) was injured and has a minor concussion but our biggest headache has been the rain. We were supposed to move to theatre a week earlier than we did. Set construction and rehearsals kept being delayed by all of the rain. HOWEVER, we are now on the stage and its being finished up day by its two levels but I do have a picture I’ll show you! Long story short is that I’m exhausted its hot and hard because we’ve had basically 4 or 5 rehearsals on stage TOPS! We are giving it our all and trying to get through everyday our first real rehearsal with the pit was to say the least…magical! How dumb or queer that may sound it was. It had rained all day long and it finally stopped so we went to the pit (which is located behind the scrim on the second level of the stage. We sang through the show all of the big numbers to warm up while they dried the stage for us to rehearse on. It was awesome! There was an audience of people who heard the music and came running. Little kids throughout the park were singing and dancing along and I realized why we were doing this. It’s been tough though because a lot of us have been working 7 days a week, 4 or 5 on another job and then 6 here (We get Monday’s off. but I work about 8:30 to 3 Monday through Friday). So as you can see were tired and am I sore!! In so many ways!! Not only am I sore from the show but from my own stupidity. The second act opens with me running out in pitch dark normally and ending up on the edge of center stage. Our stage is rounded because when finished it will be painted to look like a basketball the rounded tip was a different color which I normally looked for, I did not realize however that the edge was painted to match the rest of the stage and ran right off the front of the stage cutting up my arms and delaying the show a few minutes. They skipped over me scene and kept going and I went on the next time. I think my pride hurt more than my arms! Well this is it! We open…TOMORROW Thankfully Jahmere (Zeke and the Lighting Designer) has created a lighting cue so I can see the edge of the stage now! Thank you sir! I can’t stress enough how much the rain has hurt so tomorrow might be a little unnerving for us, not in a way of stage fright but in the sense of oh god is this show ready to go up tomorrow and is the paint dry?! Well we will soon find out!! And a one two COME ON WILDCATS …See you there!
Wow I cannot tell you how time flies, I have several older posts that I wrote over the summer during the show and just didn’t get to put up so I will post them up now plus a recap and what’s coming next! I’m sorry I was so neglectful all summer, I really am! I’ll get better I promise!
Week Two of rehearsals have now ended! It was a long and sometimes tedious week but it was fun altogether! We have now learned the entire score of the show. The shows comprised of about 18 songs plus a big sing along at the end of the show that repeats the shows hit songs.
It is Disney, It is High School Musical and yet it’s fun! I shouldn’t say it that way but lets be honest how many people over 16 expect to have fun at HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL? I think you will enjoy it! It’s a fun show, its many peoples guilty pleasure and its many dad’s headache and biggest loss of money over the past 3 years but once again its because its a fun show!
Park Play House presented Disney’s Beauty and the Beast a few seasons ago to great and Massive acclaim, i believe they hope to achieve that again and I can say we have ALOT of work to do but it will be as good and alot of fun to watch!
My biggest note for the audience so far is WATCH THE ENSEMBLE especially in big ensemble numbers where they’re the main feature…each of these actors is very talented and funny. They’re really enjoyable also check the playbill when you see the show as many of these talented people are understudies and ARE scheduled to go on! If/when i get a list of whose on i’ll post it so you can catch the show a second or third time if you’d like!
We’ve been very busy learning our lines, dance moves and attempting to still have lives. We get one day off a week! At the end of our first week i had the pleasure of traveling down to nyc with my grandmother (Nana) to see the final performance of the 2009 Broadway Revival of GUYS AND DOLLS starring Lauren Graham of “Gilmore Girls” fame! I’m sad the show closed so early but so grateful i got to see it before it closed. Besides Lauren who was not only hot and beautiful as Miss Adelaide (i would say the most attatractive Adelaide to grace Broadway) but she was phenominal, her interpretation was different fun and heartwarming the rest of the cast was awesome!! I have to thank and shout out to Titus Burgess of Guys and Dolls (and before that Sebastian in Broadway Little Mermaid) not only did he COMPLETELY TARE DOWN THE HOUSE!!! BUT he helped me out big time! I felt very overwhelmed after our first rehearsal and sent him a note all upset he kept in contact with me calmed me down and made things alot easier helping me through this process something he’s done unknowingly before! So even though he’ll probably never see this Thank You Titus soo much! I aspire to be like him not only with his beaituful and soulful voice but his grace and heart on and off the stage make me want to reach further and achieve more! If you haven’t heard him sing YOUTUBE HIM NOW!! 
It’s 12:30 at night and I have a 6 hour rehearsal tomorrow so I should probably stop rambling and go to bed. I promise to update more often soon and have more interesting blogs! Until then enjoy oh yea happy summer guys enjoy it Up State New York is the perfect place to be this time of year!
PEACE!