Calling the shots

COEUR d'ALENE - Alex Kern didn't do too badly in his first play.

He landed the lead in "High School Musical 2" that opened Thursday at the Lake City Playhouse and continues through March 7.

"I was very surprised," the 16-year-old said of being selected for the role of Troy Bolton. "It's very flattering, actually."

The Post Falls resident even has a solo with "Bet on It," and says he's looking forward to it and plans to have fun on stage.

"I get to sing a lot. I'm a big fan of singing," he said.

Cameron Anderson is also making his debut as director of the local version of what was a smash hit for Disney featuring Zac Efron and Vanessa Anne Hudgens.

The Spokane man has been an assistant director with the Christian Youth Theater and the Spokane Children's Theater, as well as designing and constructing stages.

He said he had been "bugging" Brian Doig, Playhouse executive director, to direct a show.

"Finally, they gave me a shot and I took it," he said Tuesday night shortly before a final rehearsal.

The production, which features 25 teens and two adults, is coming together nicely, he said, with the support of parents and friends of the Playhouse.

"It is nerve-wracking," he said. "You have a huge investment, lot of kids."

"High School Musical 2" centers on Gabriella Montez, described as brainy and beautiful, and basketball star Troy Bolton. It's an uplifting tale about following your dreams and believing in your talents you have.

Anderson calls it a high-energy show with great kids, music and story.

Troy Bolton is a young man going through life who realizes the decisions he makes not only affect him, but those around him, Anderson said.

"He comes to the realization he has everything he needs with friends and family," Anderson said.

As director, he wants to help the young actors "step out of themselves and become someone else. The whole thing about acting is becoming somebody different than who you are."

Besides this being Anderson's directorial debut, his daughter, Brianna Anderson, 14, plays Gabriella. Other Andersons, wife Karina and daughter Nicole, are volunteering behind the scenes.

Brianna's dad said he initially didn't want his daughter in the play.

"But after a couple days of casting, the music director and choreographer asked her to audition," he said

So she did.

Her father said she has been great to work with since rehearsals began in mid-December.

"For me it's not bad, it's actually tougher for her. The other kids can go home, but she goes home with me, so we talk about her performance," he said.

For Brianna Anderson, playing Gabriella is a great chance to continue her acting career.

"I love it so much," she said. "This is a great experience."

Brianna, who attends North Central High School in Spokane, said she started out with CYT about seven years ago and "Pinocchio" was her first show.

"I've been doing theater since," she said.

This is her first time being directed by her dad.

"It's sort of nice. When I'm at home researching and I'm going through my lines and working by myself, if I need any help I can just go, 'Hey dad, how do you want this to sound?' It makes it 10 times easier on me. I love working with my dad. We have so many fun times together."

She recently performed in "A Little Princess" and played the lead, Sara Crewe.

She loves the role of Gabriella and is ready to sing it out.

"I always wanted to be her," Brianna Anderson said. "I relate to her."

Kern isn't quite at that level with his character, Troy Bolton.

"He is basically a big jerk throughout most of the play because he's so wrapped up in what he wants," he said with a smile.

But Troy rebounds.

"At the pivotal point in show, he kind of turns himself around, figures out what he's doing after he loses his girl, then he becomes his normal self again," Kern said.

Kern, who began singing just three months ago, said actor Jim Carrey was his inspiration when he was younger. He hopes to pursue an acting career, perhaps singing, too.

For now, though, he's focused on "High School Musical 2" and hopes the public comes out for the show. There will be plenty of humor and emotion, too.

"Everybody's been putting an impressive amount of work into this. It's going to be a really fun play," Kern said. "It's just going to be real good."