'High School Musical' production takes social inclusion to new level

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(pictures at the link)

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" High School Musical " is one of the most successful Disney

Channel Original Movies ever produced, and its rights have been purchased by

thousands of schools and theater groups across the country.

Few, if any, have interpreted the play's theme the way it will be

seen next month at Gymkhana in Hanover Park, when a cast of 40, including 25

with Down syndrome, bring the story to life.

While the original movie aims to break down social stereotypes

and cliques, this presentation tackles breaking down perceptions of people with

disabilities.

The idea is one that has drawn great interest. Its four shows

sold out in one week, nearly a month before its opening performance on April

11.

" Our goal is one of integration, " says director Orion

Couling, artistic director for Gymkhana. " We want people of all abilities

working alongside each other. "

The concept starts at the top, with Nick Lamore, 13, of

Streamwood playing Troy opposite Moira of Chicago, who plays le,

and has Down syndrome.

During a recent rehearsal of the first act, with actors running

through the audition scene -- including peer partners with their special needs

counterparts -- the buzz on stage came to a halt when Lamore and

combined to sing, " What I've Been Looking For. "

His strong voice seemed to enhance her softer, sweeter sound, and

the result galvanized the crowded stage, much as it did in the original movie.

" They are amazing together, " Couling says. " I see

this in a lot of theater I direct, of the partnering that goes on. As the

rehearsals continue there's a commitment to nurture, especially when they see

how much they need each other on stage. "

Parents with the Schaumburg-based support group, " UPS for

DownS, " approached Couling last fall with the idea of casting some of

their youngsters with Down syndrome in the musical.

Couling had worked with children with special needs before, as

recently as in November, when he included a Bartlett youngster with autism into

the theater's performance of " Aladdin, Jr. "

" He's the one that makes this work, " says Peggy

Grunewald of Palatine, an UPS parent whose daughter, Katelyn, is in the show.

" He brings so much spirit and energy to the rehearsals, that it's

contagious. "

Neri of Schaumburg has two children in the show,

including , 13, who has Down syndrome and her sister, , 15. She sees

both learning a lot from the experience.

" They're gaining so much from the sense of teamwork, as well

as the benefits in reading and comprehension, " Neri says. " (Couling)

expects a lot out of them, and they're living up to those expectations. "

Garret , 19, of Lake Zurich, plays the role of Coach

Bolton, Troy's father and the antagonist in the play. While many of the cast

members relied on their scripts to recite their lines, strode on stage

confidently and commanded the scene with his delivery.

" I love acting and being on stage, " says , who

also serves as a Global Messenger for Special Olympics. " I like playing

good guys, but I'm having fun being Coach Bolton. "

Along with his work at Gymkhana, Couling leads his own company,

EDGE, or Esteem Development Through Greater Expectations, teaching theatrical

sword fighting in workshops to school assemblies and special needs groups.

He has worked with children with disabilities for years, but even

he has been surprised at the results from this production, he says.

" This show is about inclusion, and breaking down social

boundaries, and these kids bring a real honesty to that, " Couling says.

" They're playing it from somewhere very real. "

The result climaxes in the final scene, he says, when the entire

cast comes on stage to sing the show's closing number, " We're All in This

Together. "