Entertainment

By Mary Therese Biebel mbiebel@timesleader.com
Features Writer
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efore they became the “Karaoke Kids,” David Craig and his friends were a “High School Musical” cast who couldn’t believe a father actually wanted them to sing for a 5-year-old’s birthday party.

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“We thought the guy was joking,” said Craig, 18. “He said, ‘I will pay you guys if you come to my daughter’s home.’ ”

As it turns out, the teen singers/dancers from the Hazleton area accepted the gig and, almost immediately, had three more requests for bookings.

That was two years and more than 130 “Karaoke Kid” performances ago.

“It’s all been word of mouth,” said Craig, adding that 5- to 10-year-old girls seem to recognize him whenever he goes to area malls.

“I want to be a good role model,” said Kira Lee Krakovesky, 15, who captures a lot of attention from the same youngsters when she portrays Gabriella to Craig’s Troy.

Along with brother-sister duo Addison and Mackenzie O’Donnell and Christina Graham, the two leads typically sing numbers from “High School Musical,” “Hannah Montana” and other Disney shows to get their audiences up and dancing.

“It was exciting,” said children’s librarian Eileen Cook, who recently watched the group entertain more than 50 young readers at the Valley Branch of the Hazleton Library in Conyngham. “They’re very talented, very energetic.”

You’ll see some of that energy next weekend if you attend the Karaoke Kids’ latest stage endeavor – “High School Musical II” at the J.J. Ferrara Center in downtown Hazleton.

Joined by about 20 other singers and dancers, the “Karaoke Kids” continue the story of high school couple Troy and Gabriella and their classmates, the Wildcats.

The sequel finds the characters working summer jobs at a country club that just so happens to be owned by the wealthy parents of the school’s notoriously mean girl, Sharpay, and her much nicer brother, Ryan.

Will Sharpay “get her hooks into” Troy, as his friend Chad warns?

Will Gabriella and Troy break up?

Will the dishwashing crew get off work in time to be part of the country club’s talent show?

You’ll find the answers Thursday through July 5, at the Ferrara Center, where Craig, a recent Hazleton Area High School graduate who plans to begin studies in film and television this fall, has been leading rehearsals.

A few days ago, the group was concentrating on steps designed by several area choreographers, including Sherri O’Donnell, whose son and daughter, Addison and Mackenzie, portray siblings Sharpay and Ryan in the show.

Is Mackenzie as bossy to Addison in real life as Sharpay is to Ryan?

“No, I’m not,” said Mackenzie, 16, who is actually the younger sibling.

“Yes, she is,” said Addison, 17.

“It comes from love,” Mackenzie shot back.

The play is presented by Papa Productions, a company named in honor of David Craig’s father, John, who has been busy building the set, country-club bridge and all.

“He’s like 15 people in one,” his grateful son said.

IF YOU GO

What: ‘High School Musical II’

Who: Starring the Karaoke Kids

When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. July 5

Where: J.J. Ferrara Center, 212 W. Broad St., Hazleton

Tickets: $15 for adults; $10 for children

More info: 578-8115 and 459-0093