It’s not cheesy; it is high school cheesy. Heidi Yeung meets the lead actors of the latest stage production of High School Musical.

Since its premiere on the Disney Channel in 2006, High School Musical has jumped all the way from the television to the silver screen. And now it has hopped right onto the stage. Having already travelled worldwide, High School Musical Live on Stage makes its merry way to Hong Kong this fortnight.

For those unfamiliar with the show, just think West Side Story meets Grease, minus the Puerto Rican accents and perms. And instead of rival gangs we have different cliques that are often prevalent in high schools, with our hero and heroine falling into the moulds of jock and intellectual respectively.

Revered as a basketball god, Troy Bolton’s friends want him to disassociate himself from the geeky but gorgeous Gabriella Montez. But the two of them end up as leads in a musical together, and along the way realise that life must be made on their terms. Eventually even their friends repent their ways and support their union. But do not despair. Even if clique culture is relatively novel to you, the concept of belonging to a group or fighting against others’ wishes will feel comfortingly familiar to most.

The original version has inspired girls of all ages to swear eternal adoration to Zac Efron, while their brothers grudgingly become ensnared by the infectiously catchy tunes. Even adults are inadvertently drawn into the Disney magic of sugary enthusiasm, get-stuck-in-your-head numbers, prettied to perfection cast and, let’s face it, easy to follow plot. Actor Max Milner, who plays Troy in the stage performance, testifies to the attraction of the story: “I first sat down with my sister when she got a High School Musical DVD and I thought I was going to hate it. But I ended up watching it and really enjoying it! It’s got a bit for everyone, I think.”

Talia Kodesh, who plays Milner’s love interest Gabriella, also does her best to explain the unanimous appeal of High School Musical. “Everybody identifies with the stories, themes and value systems. It’s about the relationship with your friends, loved ones and family. There’s a beautiful element between Troy and his father, which many parents and children will relate to. It’s very universal in what the fundamentals of the show are about.”

Kodesh has the bubbly optimism and enigmatic green-hazel eyes, with lashes long enough to cause a small breeze when she blinks. She is almost Disney Princess like. With a ballet teacher for a mother, Kodesh had spent much of her childhood in a studio watching older girls dance. Feeling inspired, she took up dancing and went on to study Musical Theatre at the Pretoria Technikon in South Africa, where she discovered her singing voice. Since then, Kodesh has been in The Sound of Music, Chicago, Charlotte’s Web, and most notably played Belle in Beauty and the Beast. Does she think that having played one of the quintessential Disney Princesses helped her get this role? “Yes, I think so,” she giggles girlishly, before adopting a respectful tone. “There is something special about Disney. You know that you’re a part of something greater that everyone knows and recognises.”

Milner, meanwhile, has the mildly cocky poise more in common with a rock star, which should be off-putting, but it’s balanced by his casual mannerisms and boyish good looks. With both parents involved in musical theatre, music and singing was a huge part of his life. And since graduating with a National Diploma in Musical Theatre from Laine Theatre Arts, he has starred in The King and I, Spend Spend Spend, Robin Hood, Raindogs and others. In fact, his experience growing up loving music was not that different from Troy’s. “When I was in school I had mates who were like, ‘why are you singing?’” Milner remembers, “Boys would laugh, and I was beaten up a few times, but after a while, I just realised it’s what I wanted to do.” While Kodesh is a veteran of the production, Milner had only joined the cast earlier this year. Nevertheless, he shrugs off any anxiety he might have at being new with the unfaltering confidence befitting a leading man. “If anything, I’m very excited,” he grins.

High School Musical Live on Stage is “almost identical” to the original, but with two new numbers added to the repertoire: Cellular Fusion and Counting on You. Both leads believe that the high energy and fast pace of the show will make audiences forget what they know from the movie, while the prevailing central themes of pursuing your dreams and convictions, and learning from your mistakes, will stir the warm and fuzzy feelings inside.

“It’s the kind of show where you’re not going to be bored for one second,” Kodesh affirms, and Milner agrees, but also says, “It’s really cheesy, and I think that’s hilarious. It’s quirky and preppy, and it’s exciting. You don’t know what’s going to happen.” What everyone knows, however, is that it’s definitely a guilty pleasure; they just don’t admit it.

High School Musical Live on Stage is at APA’s Lyric Theatre from September 9 to 17. Tickets: 3128 8288; www.hkticketing.com.