Brighton resident Anna Douglas found she really connects to her character in the Prairie Playhouse production of “High School Musical 1 and 2” starting tomorrow ... except for that whole playing the piano thing.

    Anna, 12, plays pianist and composer Kelsi Nielsen in the production. The Overland Trail Middle School seventh-grader doesn’t play the piano, but said she’s become interested in learning to play a few songs after her experience playing Kelsi.

    “It’s fun because this is my first big role,” Anna said. “It’s a lot of fun playing her. I’m a lot like her because I’m shy. But once you get to know me I’m outgoing. We can really relate to each other.”

    “High School Musical 1 and 2” will be at Prairie View High School for a number of matinees and evening shows over the next week and a half.

    The show stars kids ages 10 and up and is produced, directed and choreographed by Shauna Dunlap of Commerce City, with musical direction by Joe Smith. Bianca Martin of Lakewood stars as Gabriella, Matt Block of Highlands Ranch is Troy, Utah Lambert of Commerce City is Ryan and Lorelei Thorne of Thornton is Sharpay.

    This is Anna’s fourth production with Prairie Playhouse. She’s acted in “Bye Bye Birdie,” played a chihuahua in “101 Dalmatians” and an orphan in “Annie.” She said she’s especially enjoyed being a part of “High School Musical 1 and 2.”

    “I love it because I love ‘High School Musical,’” she said. “I think the movie is a great production and I was really excited when I saw we were going to be doing the play.”

    “High School Musical 1 and 2,” a family production for all ages, follows Troy and Gabriella as they meet at a karaoke contest and discover their mutual love for music. In act 2, the Wildcats are back and are learning how to work together at a local country club.

    Anna hopes to continue her involvement with theater and has some big goals in the years to come.

    “I’d like to be on Broadway when I get older,” she said. “I love ‘Wicked’ and I liked ‘Grease’ and ‘Phantom of the Opera.’”

    “I like to sing and dance and I’m in a swing dance class right now,” she continued. “And I like to draw and I write my own plays.”

    In addition to the acting experience, one of the best things about being involved with Prairie Playhouse productions, Anna said, is the friends she’s made.

    “I’ve made a lot of new friends and I’ve gotten to know more about other friends that I didn’t know,” she said. “It’s just a lot of fun because I get to have more time with my friends.”

    Tickets are $7 for each act of “High School Musical 1 and 2” and are available at the door. Due to licensing restrictions, tickets for each act must be purchased separately. You may see HSM 1 and HSM 2 on different show days if desired. See more details at www.prairieplayhouse.com.