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And the 2007 winner is ...
Chaffey High School in Ontario, Calif. for The Music Man
By Brian Truitt
After poring over more than 700 entries and mail bins full of programs, photos and newspaper clippings to find our HSM USA WEEKEND Showstopper, we've decided that there is more than just trouble in River City. When it comes to Chaffey High School in Ontario, Calif., there's a whole lot of talent, as well.
Pictured: Star Jonathan Espinoza and director David Masterson.
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The school's spring production of Meredith Willson's classic, The Music Man, is the HSM USA WEEKEND Showstopper of 2007, topping high-level productions from all over the country. In his HSM packet, the show's star, Jonathan Espinoza, submitted materials that included set schematics, a history of Chaffey's storied Gardiner W. Spring Auditorium and a slide show of photographs. A 3,500-student school with a predominantly Hispanic population, Chaffey was more known for its sports than its theater program until drama teachers David Masterson and David Billman joined the school 10 years ago. Since then, the two have expanded the fan base from parents to community members, Girl Scout troops and even the mayor of Ontario.
But the first-ever HSM USA WEEKEND Showstopper almost wasn't.
As Harold Hill -- the charismatic con man who comes to River City, Iowa, to sell band equipment to musically challenged boys -- Espinoza knew he had been a part of something special his senior year. And he knew that Masterson (who is also his stepfather) wouldn't enter the show in a program to find the best high school musical in America. So, throwing caution to the wind, Espinoza decided to enter his school's production on his own after seeing USA WEEKEND Magazine in his local Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. He was smart about it, not telling his stepdad until after graduation, fearing that Masterson might be upset.
What could he do, ground him? "I don't know, maybe a quick slap on the hand or something?" Espinoza, 18, jokes. "He has a very humble personality. If you come to San Bernardino County, you'll never really hear, 'Oh my gosh! Chaffey!' because we don't compete, and we don't scream our name on the street corner."
They don't need to. We're doing it for them.
This week, the school's cast and crew members will receive complimentary Disneyland tickets and attend the premiere of "High School Musical 2," and afterward, Espinoza's family is invited to a private pool party with the movie's stars.
Zac Efron might want to keep an eye on his teen heartthrob status: Espinoza has dreams of an acting career. But first he'll attend Cal State-Fullerton this fall, where he plans to study business.
And in December, again under Masterson and Billman's direction, Chaffey will be the first in the world to perform a musical adaptation of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." This time, with a shiny Showstopper trophy proudly on display.
For more on Chaffey High School's theater program, visit its web site at
www.chsthespians.com.
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2007 Showstopper runners-up
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Beauty and the Beast
Floyd Central High School
Floyds Knobs, Ind.
Submitted by Bonny Wise
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Guys and Dolls
Chesterton High School
Chesterton, Ind.
Submitted by Michael Weaver
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Miss Saigon
West Aurora High School
Aurora, Ill.
Submitted by Donna Letzter
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Thoroughly Modern Millie
Rye Neck High School
Mamaroneck, N.Y.
Submitted by Patricia Rinello
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2007 State-by-state Honorable Mentions
Productions across the country that earned honorable mentions from USA WEEKEND.
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USA WEEKEND's HSM Showstoppers 2007 go face to face with Zac Efron and company.
By Jennifer Godwin
Zac Efron greets students from Chaffey High, the winner of USA WEEKEND's 2007 HSM Showstopper Award, at the August 2007 premiere of High School Musical 2 at Disneyland. Photo: Dan Macmedan for USA WEEKEND
Our winners hit the red carpet
When the busload of teenagers, all winners of USA WEEKEND's 2007 HSM Showstopper Award, attended the glittery High School Musical 2 premiere at Disneyland in August, the young fans weren't the only ones who were wowed.
"I met that group of kids, and I think that would be an incredible opportunity, to be a part of something that you consider iconic or larger than life, something that you have followed," said High School Musical 2 star Monique Coleman of the students' win. "To do something like that at your own school and be recognized ... I think they're celebrities in their own right, and I'm really excited for them and proud of them, and I think that's what High School Musical is all about. It's not just about us and our individual success. It's about bringing people together and following your dreams. Those kids followed their dreams, and that's how they got here to Disneyland to share this with us."
It sounds like a Hollywood fantasy, but it was a reality for students at Chaffey High in Ontario, Calif. Their spring production of The Music Man was selected from among more than 700 entries nationwide to receive our inaugural HSM Showstopper Award, recognizing the best in American high school musicals.
Chaffey drama teacher David Masterson and stepson Jonathan Espinoza, who starred as Harold Hill in the show, led the 120-person school contingent that attended the special screening. From their VIP spots along the red carpet, the kids were able to chat up, hug and photograph HSM 2 stars like Coleman and get a close look at some famous fans of High School Musical, including Cindy Crawford, Victoria Beckham and Vanessa Williams.
Afterward, at the poolside party at Disneyland's Grand Californian Hotel, drama teacher Masterson got to speak to the man behind the Musical smash, director Kenny Ortega. They discussed their shared dedication both to kids and to music. After they exchanged war stories, Masterson said that Ortega told him, "Well, you guys are the real High School Musical!"
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