There are a few challenges that go along with playing a high school student in a production of "Disney's High School Musical."

"We have to shave a lot and often," said 20-year-old Zach Gipson, a 2006 graduate of Chesterton High School, who is now living in Chicago and working as an actor.

And then, there's the technique for leading an ensemble dribbling nine basketballs all in time sequence on stage in front of 2,000 people.

"The big basketball number is tough, because it has to look fun and natural, even though it's actually one of the harder numbers to choreograph and perform," Gipson said.

On the up side, Gipson, who plays the male lead character Troy, has been through all of these rehearsal drills before.

He played the same role last summer when the show was unveiled for the first time on the Star Plaza Theatre stage.

And making things even a little easier, actress Kyrie Anderson, of Hobart, who plays the female lead Gabriella, is also reprising her same role this weekend when "Disney's High School Musical" opens tonight and plays through Sunday at Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville.

"I have to admit, a lot of the wardrobe you see me wearing on stage is actually my own clothes and my own taste," said Anderson, a 2004 graduate of Hobart High School.

"Like Zach, I also auditioned again for this role, and I faced a lot of competition and talent. But in the end, I got cast for the part."

The stage production is based on the 2006 Emmy Award-winning Disney Channel original movie, which became an overnight sensation.

The story is simple.

There's the popular high school basketball star and the academically gifted student who suddenly find they share much in common (like singing) despite their outward appearance and other interests that would normally seem to put them in separate social universes. Then add to that recipe all the usual high school ingredients, like the drama club enthusiasts, cheerleader types, etc.

Among the team of songwriters that helped create "High School Musical" is David Lawrence, son of famed husband-and-wife duo Steve Lawrence and Edie Gorme.

"Disney's High School Musical 2," which premiered a year ago this weekend on cable's Disney Channel, not only scored "through the roof" ratings, but also made television history by becoming the most watched cable channel event ever, attracting more than 17 million viewers.

And now, the entire original television cast is busy working on the third installment, which will air on the big screen in time for the holidays.

"It's really a great story, because there are lessons shared through the songs," Anderson said.

"And it's also much more challenging vocally to do these numbers than audiences realize."

She said her favorite musical number is called "Status Quo" set in the school cafeteria, with random members of the student body suddenly bursting into song and revealing all of the deepest secret hobbies and interests without worry of being judged by others.

On the subject of being judged, Gipson said when it was time for him to brush up on his basketball skills, he went right to his favorite expert: his 13-year-old brother Luke.

"He's always been better at sports and so he taught me some of the moves and in exchange, I showed him and my younger sister Megan, who's 11, all about theater stage moves like down stage, stage right and stage left," he said.

Both Gipson and Anderson agree the fan base for "Disney's High School Musical" is stronger than ever.

"When all of those 10-year-olds are on their feet cheering, singing and clapping, it makes all of us in the cast feel like rock stars. . . at least for five minutes," she said.

Winners ready to take their Bows

Earlier this month, The Times did tryouts for local high school students interested in stepping into the dancing shoes of the famed Wildcats from "Disney's High School Musical."

By entering online at nwi.com/hsmusical, The Times and Star Plaza Theater teamed up to offer the chance to win a cameo appearance in this weekend's production of the hit show.

Each winner also received 20 tickets to invite family and friends to the show.

After plenty of rehearsals, here's who to look for onstage this weekend. All are eager to sign yearbooks after their performance.

* Stefanie Regnier, 15, Highland, appearing 2 p.m. Saturday

* Emily Kakol , 15, Highland, appearing 8 p.m. tonight

* Brittany Hargis, 15, Valparaiso, appearing 8 p.m. Saturday

* Lisa Belzeski , 16, Schererville, appearing 2 p.m. Sunday

Congratulations to all the winners!