A & E

It certainly is going to be a weekend to remember for Damian Winterbottom and Stephanie Wohar, both from Carroll Township and juniors at Ringgold High School.

Not only are they members of the prom court at Friday night's Ringgold High School's prom, but they are playing the leading roles in the hit stage show "High School Musical" for Flatwoods Productions, which opens Saturday night at Curfew Grange.

Winterbottom is cast as Troy, the popular captain of the basketball team, and Wohar plays Gabriella, the smart but shy student who secretly tries out with Troy for a leading role in the school's musical.

The pair also won auditions to portray Troy and Gabriella in the Flatwoods' production of the same musical six months ago.

Flatwoods' director Ernie Watson is billing the current show as an encore performance.

"The cast was very excited that we were doing it again," Watson says. "We did a run-through the second day of rehearsal, and they were all off book and remembered most of the dance moves."

Watson says the cast displays a lot of talent.

"This is a group that would be great to take on a professional tour," he says. "They are really that good and dedicated."

For those who somehow missed the Disney phenomenon that has taken elementary and middle school crowds by storm, "High School Musical" is the story of a group of high school students who come to grips with the principles of teamwork and acceptance, set to an upbeat score and rousing dance numbers.

"Kids who watch the Disney Channel fall in love with it," Winterbottom says. "All of the songs are fun to sing and dance to. It's a fun experience for us."

The high-energy musical has been compared to "Grease" for a new generation.

"It has a good message that you don't have to be members of typical high school cliches," Wohar says. "You can be who you want to be."

Watson says he is anxious to keep the show youthful with the young people's style of dance moves. He tries to listen to suggestions from the student actors and incorporate them in his direction.

"The cast and I work well together," Watson says.

Winterbottom and Wohar work well together, too. Even after the prom and the Flatwoods' musical end, their friendship and partnership will continue. Wohar says they will be playing opposite each other in "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" for Mid-Mon Valley Artists and Actors in Monessen. Winterbottom is cast as Charlie Brown and Wohar will play Lucy in a production that opens June 14.

Others in the musical are Katie Grahek and Nick Onesko, both of Brownsville, as Ryan and Sharpay; Adam Sutch of Daisytown and Stacey Bonasarte of Rostraver as Chad and Taylor; David McVicker of Monongahela and Lexie Rohlf of Brownsville as Jack Scott and Kelsi; and Kaleb Oswald of Connellsville as Zeke. Rounding out the cast are Alexis Arnold of Brownsville and Joe Wohar of Carroll Township.

The adult roles will be played by Rob Ross of Weirton as Coach Bolton and Laurie Watson and Michelle Rivas alternating the role of Ms. Darbus. Choreographer is Alexis Arnold; musical director is Matt Brown.

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