In the 1978 movie, "Grease," Danny Zuko (John Travolta) and Sandy Olsson (Olivia Newton-John) had a whirlwind summer romance. But when they unexpectedly discover that they're attending the same high school, can their love survive?

After a lot of singing, dancing and scuffles, they remain a couple -- with the support of their friends.

In "Disney's High School Musical," performed by Act 1 Theater Arts, the storyline is strikingly similar. Troy Bolton (Dallas Dehlinger), a basketball star, meets Gabrielle Montez (Camille Weck), a smart girl, during a karaoke contest during winter break. They immediately discover their interest in music -- and each other.

Predictably, Troy and Gabrielle's friends try to split them up. "Stick to the Status Quo" is one of the many upbeat songs performed during the show. In "Grease," the line was drawn between greasers and good girls. However, in "Disney's High School Musical," Troy and Gabrielle seem to belong to the same social class, but are divided by different cliques.

"He's a "jock" and she's a "brainiac," Co-director Sharon Duchi said. "Other cliques include the cheerleaders, thespians, nerds and skaters -- whom you'll see riding skateboards and scooters around the stage."

No two are more opposed to the odd couple's plans to try out for the high school musical than the drama queen Sharpay Evans (Rachael Weck) and her brother, Ryan (Jordan Dobbins).

"To be completely honest, Sharpay does and says everything that good breeding tells you not to," Weck said. "She's extraordinarily dramatic, but she's also mean and plays dirty."

She's probably nothing like Betty Rizzo (Stockard Channing) who tried to seduce Travolta in the back of a parked car. In "Disney's High School Musical," everything is rated G. The main couple may hug and hold hands, but they don't ever kiss.

"We're working on our chemistry, but I have to be careful, because I'm so much older," said Dehlinger, 18, a sophomore at Mt. San Jacinto Community College. His onstage girlfriend, Weck, is 15 and a freshman at Vista Murrieta High School.

According to co-director Monica Iversen, casting for Troy and Gabrielle was like putting together pieces of a puzzle.

"They both had to be exceptional singers, dancers and actors," Iversen said. "But they also had to look good together."

The musical has an important message to convey as well.

"It's important to be yourself," Weck said. "Friends may fade away and hobbies may change, but who you are and your beliefs must remain. Otherwise, you're just a lump of clay."

"Disney's High School Musical"

When: 7 p.m. today through Saturday, 3 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday

Where: Bob Burton Performing Arts Center, Fallbrook High School, Fallbrook

Tickets: $13 for adults and $10 for children (all seats are $15 at the door)

Info: (800) 977-2281, act1theaterarts.com