Starlight Theatre’s “High School Musical On Stage” is a miracle in several ways. The first miracle is that it happened at all. As recently as May 30, there was talk of shutting down for lack of funding. Funding appeared, and the plucky production opened June 4 for a three-weekend run through June 21 at Starlight Bowl in Balboa Park. The second miracle is the fine show guest artistic director Carlos Mendoza, using young talent from the greater San Diego area, has managed to put on stage. The third miracle is how entertaining and appropriate this evening is. It’s perfect family entertainment, and it feels good. The company so enjoys itself that even the “stop action” moments, when jets thunder through on their approach to Lindbergh Field, provide joyous moments. Also to the production’s credit, Starlight’s longstanding audio difficulties are tamed, presumably by Steve Stopper and The Stopper Group’s sound design and the employment of a seven-member orchestra featuring Parmer Fuller and Amy Dalton on keyboards. Add to that an array of exuberant singer/performers, and it’s a win-win in anyone’s Starlight experience. High school seniors Gabriela (Arianna Afsar) and Troy (Donovan Hurst) met during winter break while on ski vacations with their families. Gabriela having transferred in, they both attend East High School, where the romance continues amid the usual teenage rivalries and angst. Both decide to try out for romantic leads in the school musical, directed by Ms. Darbus (Starlight veteran Leigh Scarritt). Their rivals are twins Sharpay and Ryan Evans (Megan Martin and Christopher Blake Withall), who employ various nasty tactics to assure they will be chosen. All is complicated by the fact that Gabriela is essential to the science team, and Troy is the star of the basketball team, coached by his father (George Dawe). Cashae Monya and Shaun Tuazon—much-admired in a recent production of “Zanna, Don’t!”—play Gabriela and Troy’s sidekicks, and Kay Tano is adorable as the student composer. Nearly two-dozen others support them, including a break-dancing team to liven scene changes. Mike Buckley’s scenic design adapts readily. Debbie Roberts’ costumes, especially for Scarritt, are colorful, and Troy Magino’s lively and well-executed choreo-graphy enhances the scene considerably. Afsar, who was recently among the top 36 finalists for a spot on “American Idol,” is a veteran of the Old Globe’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” in which she played Cindy Lou Who. Hurst is a graduating senior at Steele Canyon High School and plans to enter San Diego State University, where he will major in music and theater. It’s no accident that San Diego enjoys a burgeoning crop of marvelously talented young performers. At last, Starlight is supporting their work, and it is hoped that readers will, too. According to recent news reports, attendance is vital to Starlight’s continuing health. Make a difference. Grab your family and a picnic basket and head for Balboa Park. Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays (kids 12 and under free with paid adult). Starlight Bowl, Balboa Park, $10-$75, www.starlighttheatre.org or (619) 232-7827.