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Tuesday, August 26, 2008
‘High School Musical’ stars make double-play
Concert review
DAYTON — Gabrielle and Chad, er, Vanessa Hudgens and Corbin Bleu — the singing-dancing actors who play Gabrielle and Chad in Disney’s popular “High School Musical” film series — brought their youthful charms to town Tuesday night, Aug. 26, for a joyfully exuberant co-headline concert at Fifth Third Field.
The pair, both already entertainment veterans at 19 years of age, performed individual one-hour sets on a simple stage situated along the second-base, infield line.
Bleu opened the early evening concert with a powerhouse show that seemed choreographed down to every quarter beat of the beat-heavy material. Backed by four instrumentalists — playing bass, keyboards, guitar and drums — and four dancers, Bleu thrilled the predominantly pre-adolescent audience with his athletic dance moves and magnetic personality.
Although his segment was plagued by various sound problems that made his speaking voice difficult to follow and cut out the lead vocals through the first half of what could have been a show-stopping “Marchin,’ ” Bleu never missed a beat.
In comparison, Hudgens’ set seemed less orchestrated, though no less appreciated by the adoring crowd, which danced and sang along to the pop-infused songs culled from Hudgens’ two album releases.
Backed by six dancers and no instrumentalists, Hudgens gave a looser performance than Bleu’s, and the heavy use of pre-recorded material made it difficult to tell from the stands when the singing was live. No matter. She was live and in person, and that’s what counted most with the crowd.
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Dayton Opera hosts film preview tonight
BEAVERCREEK — Dayton Opera spokesman Chuck Duritsch says that about 50 seats have been made available to the general public for a preview screening this evening, Aug. 26, of the independent film “The Streetsweeper” at Regal 20 Cinemas at Fairfield Commons.
The 7 p.m. showing, presented by Dayton Opera as a special event for its season subscribers, will be followed by a talk by the film’s writer and director, James Hill.
Hill agreed this week to open the event to nonsubscribers as well.
The R-rated film, scheduled for wide release in February 2009, tells the story of Enzo Morelli, a former opera singer who gave up a promising stage career to support his family as a streetsweeper.
According to the film’s promotional material, the film opens as Enzo is arranging the final payment on his son’s tuition at Harvard — keeping a promise made to his late wife. Meanwhile, the son thinks he attended the prestigious college on a scholarship and comes home with an attitude and a rich girlfriend.
Remaining seats to this evening’s screening will be filled first-come, first-served.
For more information about the Dayton Opera, call (937) 461-8282 or go online to www.daytonopera.org.
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