Ask anyone in the theater world. Disney's "High School Musical" is the hottest thing on stage these days. A professional touring edition hit Providence earlier this season. Encore Kids performed it to three sold-out audiences at Woonsocket's Stadium Theatre about a month ago.

And this weekend, two local groups will present their versions, RISE on Broadway in Providence and Woonsocket High School.

"This show has a huge following right now," says Jennifer Maiello, the theater and dance teacher at WHS. "We knew it would be a big draw, and especially with a high school putting it on, we thought that would our best show this year."

Her troupe is no stranger to big musicals. "This is our ninth. 'West Side Story' was big. 'Jesus Christ: Superstar' was big. ('High School Musical') isn't an easy one, but the kids know it inside and out, which makes it a little easier. If anything, they explain it to me."

Sharon Cross is directing "High School Musical" with RISE on Broadway. While the group is based in Providence, many of the founders are from the Woonsocket area. "We all know each other," said Cross when asked about the same show running on the same weekend. "We go to support one another's shows. We wish that not everyone were doing it the same weekend. It's not like we feel threatened by it, and they shouldn't either."

Maiello admits that some of the students were a little concerned about the competition at first. "Our audience is made up of students and faculty and friends and family. Plus, it never fails. The kids who've been in our shows in the past all come with their family and friends, too."

Maiello says some folks told her they'd avoided seeing Encore's show, deciding to wait for her production instead. As for the production at RISE: "A few of their leads are my ex-students, which is kind of nice. We're going to go support them." RISE's show opened last weekend, giving Woonsocket students the opportunity to catch it. "We're proud that our students are now the leads in a community theater production."

Cross points out that there's a lot of crossover. "Emily Luther, who plays Sharpay in the Woonsocket High show, is up for a theater award for a show she did for us." Luther has been nominated as Best Actress in the Motif Magazine Theater Awards for her portrayal of Maria Von Trapp in "The Sound of Music."

Bethany Bergeron, who plays Sharpay with RISE, graduated from Woonsocket High last year, as did James Lambert, who's playing Chad. "They were both in 'Thoroughly Modern Millie' with us last year at the high school," says Maiello.

And Timothy Crepeau, who performed in "West Side Story" a few years ago at the high school, plays the lead character, Troy, in RISE's production.

Despite the challenge of having to balance the schedules of 44 cast and 12 crew members, Maiello is enjoying this show. "They're all members of the band and the chorus, they play baseball and wrestle. The lead kid who's playing Troy is on the wrestling and baseball teams, he's an honor student and he's in the band. Our rehearsal schedule is kind of crazy."

The best part is that the students really know the show. "It's this one huge dance number after another, and that's what they love to do. The scenes are very short and the musical numbers are very long."

Cross has worked to make her production be a little different. "We tried to stay somewhat true to the touring group piece. We tried to put in some little extras for dancing and costumes. There will be little effects occurring that we haven't seen other groups do."

Something very different is the double-casting of the six principals - Troy, Gabriella, Ryan, Sharpay, Taylor and Chad. "It's just to give the actors more opportunities. We had so many talented kids try out."

Cross is proud that actors have come from so far away to join the show. "We got to draw upon all of Rhode Island and parts of Massachusetts."

Woonsocket High School's "High School Musical" runs May 8, 9 and 10 in the high school auditorium. Advance tickets are on sale at the high school's main office during school hours for $10. They are $15 at the door on performance nights.

RISE on Broadway's "High School Musical" continues through May 11 at the Columbus Theatre on Broadway in Providence. Check out www.riseonbroadway.org for all their details.