With the success of “High School Musical” last spring, this year the fall musical for the drama club is the next installment in the series, “High School Musical 2,” again directed by 2008 BRHS graduate Christopher Holmes with musical direction by teacher Mary Miller.

In this second installment in the Disney series, the lead, Troy Bolton, gets a summer job at a country club owned by the father of none other than Sharpay Evans, the diva “villain” of the original musical, who attempted to sabotage Troy and his new girlfriend, Gabriella from performing in the school musical and stealing the show from her.

As it ends up, many of the Wildcats are working at the resort, including Gabriella. The show starts to parallel the original High School Musical at this point, with a talent competition looming on the horizon and Sharpay determined to win it – ideally, with Troy at her side.

Many characters from the previous cast are back to reprise their roles, including sophomore Sierra Murray as Gabriella (who is also being played by Genevieve Taylor), senior Gretchen Elder as Sharpay (also being played by senior AnnieLyn MacKusick), Camden Spear as Troy, Draco Peaslee as Zeke Baylor, Kelsey, played by sophomore Tori Morin, and ReAnna Heino as Taylor, just to name a few.

Other lead roles include Ryan, being played by sophomore Hayden Brewer, Chad, being played by senior Gabe Purin, Zach Blackman as new character Mr.Fulton, and Jack Scott, played by junior Nick LaBonte. Also new this year are the “Sharpettes,” who follow Sharpay around and emulate her.

“The Sharpettes are a lot of fun to play on stage and add a new element to the story,” Holmes said.

The Sharpettes are played by sophomores Annie Bryer and Cassidy Jones, and senior Allison Simmons.

Holmes, who is also currently directing “Oliver” in Brunswick, says the production has 22 or 23 kids performing this year, and it's great to be back working with so many familiar (and new) faces.

“Lisa Palowski, Elijah Gudroe, Cassidy Jones — so many kids that didn't try out last year — saw the fun and decided to join in,” Holmes said.

“My friends were in it last year,” senior Lisa Palowski said. “They asked me to do it this year and I thought it would be a lot of fun.”

“It was so much fun last year,” said sophomore Tori Morin, who is playing Kelsey again. “I really liked the character so I'm glad I can play her again this year.”

Sophomore Elijah Gudroe was convinced to try out by his brother, Gabe Purin.

“I'm in the chorus, which means I'm in lots of scenes,” Gudroe said. “I've had an easy time picking up the dances since I used to take dance (hip-hop and jazz) lessons when I was younger.”

When asked how it was working with his brother, Gudroe said “It's pretty cool. We get along.”

“It's so much fun to play the same character,” Sierra Murray said. “I tried out for her and a lot of people did so I am so thankful I got it. I plan to work extra hard and dancing is not usually my thing but I'm learning and making myself better.”

“Some of us already know our characters, though all the lines are different,” Draco Peaslee said. “The whole cast has really come together in a more functional drama machine. It's the same story, but different at the same time. It's got the same morals and all that jazz.”

Rehearsals are four to five times a week with opening night being Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. Three more shows are planned: Nov. 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. and a matinee performance on Nov. 21 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students, and will be on sale the first week of November at the school office or from Mary Miller.

Anyone interested in taking out an ad in the program to support the school can contact Mary Miller at the school (207-633-2421) or Christopher Holmes (207-837-4540). Ads start at $50 for a half-page. The cast will also be selling large lollipops at $1 each to raise money for the show. Holmes, Miller and the cast wish to thank Enchantments, Janson's Clothing, Flagship Inn, and the House of Pizza for their support.