“Everyone is special in their own way/We make each other strong/We're not the same/We're different in a good way /Together's where we belong.”

Those lyrics are from “We’re All in This Together,” one of the many songs in Disney's “High School Musical: On Stage,” which the students at Boothbay Region High School are currently rehearsing. Opening night will be in late May with a total of six performances.

Members of the BRHS senior class approached Mrs. Miller, the music and drama teacher, about wanting to do “High School Musical” as the school's spring musical. She went to Principal Dan Welch and expressed the desires of the kids, and Welch agreed.

“The story is about learning to accept people,” Miller said, who is the music director for the show. “These kids are really passionate about the show, they know the songs and the story and it's hard work but they are determined.”

Directing the show is 2008 BRHS graduate Christopher Holmes, who is thrilled to be back at his alma mater.

“It's the biggest production the school's done since ‘Cats’ in my sophomore year,” Holmes said. “We've greatly expanded the stage and every single spot in the auditorium is being used in the musical. It's really nice to be back here and working with Mrs. Miller, who I've continued to work with for many years now.”

The basic story of “High School Musical” is the star athlete in an Albuquerque, New Mexico high school (Troy) falls in love with a beautiful nerd (Gabriella). They audition together for the school musical and have to deal with the co-captains of the drama club, Sharpay and her brother Ryan, who are using their influence over the director of the musical to prevent Troy and Gabriella from making the callbacks. They also must deal with the influence of their social groups who are having trouble understanding their new relationship, which crosses the sharply defined clique lines that exist at the school.

According to Holmes, the students at BRHS are somewhat mimicking the storyline, as Troy is being played by none other than senior Howie Carter, honored as a state wrestling runner-up.

“It’s about breaking out of roles and not letting anyone hold you back,” Holmes said. “There's great meaning to it.”

Other leads are being played by senior Karl Alamo (Ryan), senior Lindsey Buckingham and freshman Sierra Murray (Gabriella), and junior Gretchen Elder and senior Chloe Hoecker (Sharpay). Several roles have been double cast, with each student performing in three out of six performances. It also means the characters have an automatic understudy.

“People really encouraged me to try out,” Carter said. “I wasn't planning on it but I'm glad I did; this is my senior year and it's my last chance to do this. Plus I honestly relate to the characters breaking the status quo.”

“I have no background in singing or acting, but I'm involved in a lot of school activities, so I thought why not?” Alamo said. “There was an initial senior push to perform ‘High School Musical’ and I am a senior. Plus it's totally been so much fun!”

Alamo is also the dance captain of the play, learning the choreography first and helping fellow cast members.

“Sharpay is top of the school food chain, but no body likes her until the end,” Elder said. “But she loves doing shows, and so do I, and I connect with that. And the play has a great message about always trying something new.”

“I've been in every school play and I love ‘High School Musical,’” Hoecker said. “The senior class really pushed for it, and Mrs. Miller helped so much. We usually have a third of this many people in the school play, I think it's because it's such a great story about breaking the status quo.”

“It's the last hurrah for the senior class,” Buckingham said. “The last play I was in was as a freshman; I did a reading with Troy and it just kind of happened. It's so important to me that this is perfect, I'm here from 2 to 7 p.m. every practice.”

“I'm super excited,” Murray said. “It's so important for kids to learn not to worry about what people will think and just go for it. I did that earlier this year when I tried out for the cheerleading squad, and I made it.”

The cast and crew are also working on fundraising for the show. Just the rights to even have the show cost $1,500, not to mention the costs for the costumes and the materials to built the sets.

That's just to beginning, according to Holmes. They are hoping to raise enough to get new curtains and seating for the theater and update the lighting system (according to Holmes, the lighting board is from the late 80s/early 90s).

A GoFundMe online fundraising page has been set up at www.gofundme.com/HSMATBRHS for people to make donations. Local businesses can also buy a half-page ad in the musical program for a flat $50 fee.

“Anything helps,” Holmes said. “Even $5, $10. And all the money stays right here in the school.”

Anyone interested in helping with fundraising can contact Holmes at christopherpholmes@gmail.com.