At the time of my writing this, the concert let out a mere 40 minutes ago, so I will probably leave all sorts of things out. So when I do, sorry. :)
I got into Bakersfield around 5pm. We checked into the hotel and got or stuff settled. At around 5:30 we had planned to drive to Sonic to get some quick dinner, but decided against it for fear of not being able to get a parking space at the hotel when we go back. As it was, there were no available spots when we were ready to leave! This is because the Hotel is attached to the convention center and arena – and thus has the closest available parking. So to make a long story short, we ended up eating at the arena itself at 6:15. We made it to our seats right at 7, and the opening act, Jordan Pruitt, came on at about 7:10. She did 5 or six songs including "Outside looking in" and ran to about 7:30. She made sure to plug her new CD, being released in February 2007, several times. The Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield CA is a mid size arena. And it was packed. At least 95% of the seats had a person in it at any given time, if they didn't sell out, it was really close.
Disney took advantage of the half hour intermission to show ads on the big TV screens. They plugged Corbin's new DCOM, HSM2, Hannah Montana, and some other stuff.
At eight, or really close to it, the actual concert began. The full six person cast did "The start of something new," "Stick to the status quo," and "I Can't get my eyes off you." On STTSQ they spliced movie clips on the big screen in with background backers with props on tables and the cast running around singing. They did a good job making everything fit together.
After the three song set, everyone ran off stage except for Lucas who announced that he would be the presenter/host person for the rest of the event.
From there we moved into a three song set by Ashley Tisdale. The first and second songs were totally new to me, but Ashley looked amazing! And she closed her set with "He Said She Said."
After Ashley left, Corbin and Drew did "Get your head in the game." Interspliced with some movie clips. Then they threw plastic inflatable basketballs out into the audience. Lucas came out after they left, and he autographed one of the balls for some kid.
After that Drew & Monique did some song from the Cheetah Girls 2. I had no idea what it was. But Monique got to show off some of her "Dancing with the Stars" moves.
Once they were off stage, Corbin's did two songs. The first was "Push it" from his DCOM which he plugged twice, and the second song was something else. I don't believe it was released yet.
After that, Drew and Vanessa did their version of "What I've been looking for" followed by Ashley and Lucas's version of the same song. Ashley and Lucas used the same choreography and outfits as in the movie.
After that, Vanessa did a three song set. She was wearing a tan sparkly dress and was just absolutely stunning. The songs she did were "Let's Dance," "Say OK," and "Baby come Back" They lowered a giant sparkly "V" down during the first song.
After that, they had Lucas and Ashley doing Bop to the top in the same outfits as the movie. Yes that's right, Ashley was wearing the blue dress that shows a lot of leg. But after the super-duper-short-shorts she wore earlier, it was almost a tame outfit.
Then Drew and Vanessa did "Breaking Free" in the same outfits as the movie (well, for V at least)
And of course, they closed the show with everyone doing "We're all in this together" They spliced in video from the film, and had all the backup dancers on stage as well.
Somehow, Jordan worked her way back on stage for the big bow with everyone else. They left the stage at 9:30PM under a huge banner that read High School Musical 2 - Summer 2007.
And that was it. Ashley never looked that short with her big high heals that matched each outfit, and both Vanessa and Ashley showed a lot of leg. V showed a little cleavage as well in one particular outfit.
After we got back to the room, which overlooks the train tracks to the south, and the back of the arena, I just happened to be looking out the window when the tour bus left. It was a very nice bus, I'm sorry I didn't have my camera to take a picture. And there are no pictures from the concert either – no cameras were allowed and I didn't know if I'd be able to smuggle one in without being caught so I didn't try it.
I've still got all the songs stuck in my head – at the same time. LOL
All in all, it was a very well put together show, and I strongly recommend it to anyone who likes the movie or the cast.