By John Lyle Belden

Twenty years later, it can by forgiven to forget what an outright phenomenon the 2006 Disney Channel movie “High School Musical” was. Featuring a clever script by Peter Barsocchini and the rising talents of Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, and Ashley Tisdale, this teenage tale of defying expectations soared far above typical Disney Channel fare, winning Emmys, Teen Choice Awards, and devoted fans, leading to sequels and more.

Indy Drag Theatre, phenomenal in its own way, apparently gave it a look and said, “b!tch, let’s do this!”

To keep the litigious Mouse at bay, IDT fiercely presents “Night School Musical: A Drag Parody” at the Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, directed by Natalie Port Ma’am and Madison Avenue with choreography by Meadowlark Lane.* This cast of drag queens and kings lip-synch the original musical – playing it more-or-less straight, so to speak – with some fabulous enhancements including surprise song additions and “Glee” references to keep it all in campy parody mode.

Dragnar Johnson portrays Troy, the star of the Wildcat basketball team and son of its coach (played by Maurice Mantini), who happens to sing well and considers trying out for the Winter Musicale to get with cutie Gabriella (A.J. Thoma), who aspires to be more than a math-nerd. Having rivals for the lead roles does not sit well with Broadway-obsessed Sharpay (April Rose) and her brother Ryan (Ted Strange); fortunately, theatre teacher Ms. Darbus (Norah Borealis) is on their side.

Schoolmates are portrayed by Sydnie Blair, King Kairi, Lollypop Lyx, Iliana a la Mode, Taron Closeoff, Eli Rose, Rodick, Long Schlong Johnson, Canila C, Caroline Rogers, Jakkie Lupia, Gayle Thyme, and Manatea.

The look and style of drag add just enough magical realism to get us into this fantasy of high school life, where championships on the line are as high-stakes as it gets, and cliques and assumed roles can be overcome by song-and-dance numbers. Earnest professional performances by all rekindle the magic that makes this such an enduring hit.

Credit where due: Costume design is by Maria Fruit; makeup design by Calyko Magick-Waffle; wig design by Oriana Peron with Mackenna Mullins as wig tech; set design by Miss Kay-Ottic with props by Alish Forner; lighting design by Pauly Crumpacker; and stage manager is Brian Kitta, with stage crew Tricera Tits and production manager Mason Veselsky. Superlatives all.

Want to get in on the act? Before the show there is a VIP raffle to win a moment on the stage during one of the scenes.

This is in the main stage of the Phoenix, 705 N. Illinois St., downtown Indianapolis, but all those seats will likely fill fast, Friday through Sunday evenings and Saturday and Sunday matinees, Aug. 28-30. Get tickets at phoenixtheatre.org and info at indydragtheatre.org.

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*(Note: Out of respect for the art form and its performers, they are identified by their Drag names as given in the show program.)