‘Standing Ovation’ storyline a real life experience for its cast

Gotta sing! Gotta dance! Gotta sell!

That's exactly what "Standing Ovation's" young cast members have been doing this summer.

For a month and more, 15 tweens and teens (plus at least one out-of-his-teens) have been crisscrossing the U.S. in their own customized bus -- emblazoned with a giant picture of their sassy costumed selves -- performing, and promoting, the "High School Musical"-style movie scheduled to hit theaters today . Or, as their rolling bus billboard describes it: "The Most Rockin' Family Film of the Summer!"

On a recent weekday afternoon, the bus is parked outside Summerlin's JW Marriott, one of the troupe's stops during a three-day Las Vegas visit.

They're guest entertainers during the Spotlight Dance Cup's West Coast National Finals, one of dozens of competitions that lure hundreds of dance students (plus parents, teachers and boosters) to hotel convention areas for nonstop performances.

Inside the Marriott's Marquis Ballroom, before the "Standing Ovation" performers hit the stage -- dominated by a banner that encourages attendees to "CONQUER YOUR WORLD" -- audiences cheer and applaud a hip-hopper's urban grooves, a lyrical church ensemble and little girls in pink tiger-stripes rocking out to "Born to Be Wild."

Finally, however, the announcer welcomes the "very special guests" from "Standing Ovation" -- some of whom were dancing in competitions just like this not so long ago.

Sporting red-spangled tops, the young members of the Five Ovations dance onstage, along with the pink-skirted, pink-wigged Wiggies -- their rich, spoiled opponents in the quest to capture a million-dollar TV talent competition. (Today onstage, one of those Wiggies is Krystal Tini , one of the movie's choreographers, who stepped in when a performer fell ill.)

Bouncing to the peppy, poppy beat, they show off their dance moves, then give way to Dexter Darden , 19, who hosts the movie's talent show -- and the live show on the Spotlight Cup stage. He's joined by rapper Mikey P. (alias Michael Pericoloso), 25, who lead the audience in clapping along with "Standing Ovation's" songs -- and chanting the movie's release date.

"July 16!" Darden shouts into his microphone.

"Gonna be the best day of the summer," Pericoloso responds in rap.

But not before the entire troupe, 15 strong, assembles to perform "Standing Ovation's" reach-for-the-stars theme.

"I know it's not easy to stand up for what you believe in," they chorus. "But I know if we stick together, we'll get a standing ovation."

They don't quite get a standing ovation. Not this time.

But that doesn't stop dozens of Spotlight attendees, some in tutus and tights, from lining up to meet the cast and get autographs, along with an array of "Standing Ovation" giveaway goodies, from T-shirts and tote bags to wristbands and soundtrack CDs. (One dance team in matching tie-dye shirts even sports Wiggies-style pink wigs.)

Promoting "Standing Ovation" in such close-up-and-personal fashion represents "a more hands-on experience" than the usual movie hype, says associate producer Monique Impagliazzo .

In addition, "a lot of films don't target the dance market," choreographer Tini points out.

After all, "these are the kids who are going to come out and see the movie," adds Debbie Apalucci , another of "Standing Ovation's" choreographers. "It's great grass-roots marketing."

With the popularity of such TV shows as "Glee," "So You Think You Can Dance" and "American Idol" -- to say nothing of Disney's "High School Musical" franchise -- there's a built-in audience for "Standing Ovation," some cast members suggest.

"The exciting thing about the movie is, it kind of transposes to what we've done," Darden says. "Every single cast member can relate to something in it."

"It's heartfelt," adds Pericoloso, who wound up contributing songs to the soundtrack -- in addition to playing the demanding role of himself. ("I can't mess it up," he laughs.)

From Minnesota's Mall of America to Southern California's Knott's Berry Farm, the "Standing Ovation" cast has been on the road touting their movie -- but the road trip's as much fun as the performing, says Kayla Raparelli, 14, who plays one of the movie's Five Ovations.

"We get along great -- we're brothers and sisters," Darden maintains.

Which makes 10-year-old Alanna Palombo the little sister.

She plays the "snotty, obnoxious little girl in town who bosses everyone around" -- and Palombo says it was "so fun" to bring out her nasty side, if only on film.

But "the funnest part of being on the bus tour" is the fact that "you have your own bus," she says. "We get to go into the back lounge and play video games and keep each other company."

Unless, of course, they're in Las Vegas, when strolling down the Strip replaces rolling down the highway as a top on-tour diversion.

"I love at night, when all the lights light up and you look in the sky -- and you can't see the sky," she says. "It's so amazing."

Maybe not quite as amazing as being in "Standing Ovation," but it's close.

The movie's go-for-it storyline represents "a real life story" for its cast members, Pericoloso says. "Everyone's so into music. We all connect on that level -- it makes us more like a family."

Contact reporter Carol Cling at ccling@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0272.