“Disney’s High School Musical 2” will be performed outdoors in Gig Harbor by Encore! Theater Company on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings through July 26, with one special Thursday performance on July 23. The show features a large cast of talented young performers including nominees of The High School Musical Theater Awards at the Fifth Avenue Theater in Seattle.  Michelle DeShon, Faith Higgins, Travis Olsen and Garrett Young were all nominated for these prestigious awards, and Higgins won in the category of best actress.

In the Encore production of “High School Musical 2,” DeShon plays Kelsie, Higgins plays Sharpay, Olsen plays Jack and Young plays Chad. Stephen Anastasia and Grant Troyer share the role of Troy, and Brynne Geiszler and Sami Lobberegt share the role of Gabriella.

In the sequel to last summer’s production of “High School Musical 1,” it’s the last day of school and summer beckons as the play begins. Everyone is excited to no longer have the daily grind of academic life. Everyone miraculously gets a job at the Lava Springs Country Club and all looks idyllic until we discover the club is owned by Sharpay’s father. We are suddenly back on the emotional roller coaster teens call life.

Tickets are available for the show on site at 4819 Hunt St. at 6 p.m. immediately prior to the production or online at www.encoretheater.org. Adult tickets are $15; seniors/teens/military $11; pre-teens (7-12) $8; children (through age 6) $6.

All performances are outdoors and under the stars in the beautiful meadow-like site adjacent to Impact Church International. Bring a blanket or chair to sit on and a picnic to eat. Jackets for when the sun goes down and bug repellent are also suggested. Parking is free.

This production is funded in part from a generous grant from The Gig Harbor Arts Commission.