The cast of characters in High School Musical 2 "What Time is It?" It's summertime which means trips to the beach, part- time jobs, and the return of Troy, Gabriella, and the Wildcats to the Workshop Theatre stage. Expectations for "High School Musical 2" were high following the theater's sold out production of the original last summer. The cast and crew met that mark and exceeded it in terms of casting, choreography, and direction. Instead of roaming the halls of East High, the teens have been set free for the summer and are working at the Lava Springs Country Club.

Drama darling Sharpay Evans is up to her scheming ways again by securing a job for Troy, the school basketball star and lead in last year's school play, in hopes of snagging him from Gabriella, who stole Sharpay's lead and the athlete's heart. Her plans are foiled when Troy sweet talks the club's general manager, Fulton, played by a suitably flustered and somewhat aristocratic Judson Neff, into giving all his friends jobs as well.

The high stakes game of teenage love, friendship, and summer fun all hinges on the country club's annual talent show. Unlike last year's high school musical, this play pits Sharpay, played with perfect comic timing and a dash of bubble- headed blondness by Raime Padgett, against her sibling Ryan as she steals Troy for a solo, and he rallies the staff to take her down.

Workshop alumni Bart Mathers, who played basketball player Chad in last year's production, struck a perfect balance with an understated Ryan. He displayed just enough dramatic flair, some wicked dance moves and dry humor to make the character stand out.

Theater newcomer and USC senior Jake Etheridge charmed the Workshop crowd opening night as lead Troy Bolton with his mega- watt smile and easy demeanor. He could also easily be mistaken for a slightly taller Zac Efron, who played the role in the Disney original. What he lacked in vocal projection was balanced by a great chemistry with leading lady Gabriella Montez, A.C. Flora graduate and community theater first-timer Ginny Sims. Sims augmented her portrayal of a spunky Gabriella with clear, if somewhat soft, vocals.

As was the case last year, some of the more outrageous supporting cast members stole the spotlight and added plenty of comic relief. Corey Law returned as Jack Scott, the self-proclaimed Velvet Fog of East High, with his nasally laugh, high water pants, and goofy humor. Becca Cromer reprised the role of hip- hop loving Martha Cox. Lauren Shealy also stepped behind the keyboards once again as the aspiring singer/songwriter Kelsi Nielsen.

Director Walter Graham again pulled together a sparkling production that succeeded on many levels due in large part to careful stage direction, a talented cast and upbeat choreography from Columbia native and professional dancer McCree O'Kelley. One of the most memorable numbers was a hilarious old- Hollywood- style production "Humuhumunukunukuap ua'a." Beyond the syllabically challenging lyrics, the hula grass decked dancers and antics of Ryan were thoroughly amusing.

"High School Musical 2" at Workshop is a quality production that provides a pleasing two- hour summer diversion for audiences of all ages - and you can "Bet On It."