Tony Michaels

Anthony "Tony" Michaels is the main male protagonist of Zeno Mountain Farm's first feature-length film, Best Summer Ever, and the 2016 play that inspired it. He is a star high school football player who dreams of becoming a dancer but must cope with the pressures of his upbringing.
Tony is played by Caileb Jade Dengkim as a child and Rickey Wilson, Jr. as a teenager.
== Biography==
As a child, Tony inherited his passion for dancing from his mother, which led him to pursue his dream of becoming a dancer. But after his parents passed away, his high school coach, a friend of his father's, became his father figure. Since then, Tony has been burdened by the responsibilities of being the star kicker on his football team at Mount Abe High School.
18-year-old Tony is first introduced at Lakeview Dance Camp practicing for a dance. He bids the rest of the camp goodbye before celebrating his summer with his girlfriend, Sage. The following day, Sage gives him some sunflower seeds to plant in a special place, while he gives her his Mount Abe Eagle necklace. As soon as he returns home, Tony plants the seeds in front of a memorial for his late parents. He is greeted by his big brother, Kevin, who is happy to see him, and the school coach, who relies on him to help his football team win the upcoming Homecoming game, which Mount Abe hasn't done in twenty-five years.
The next day, Tony is interviewed by a reporter, who reminds him not to let down his team, his school and his town. At school, Beth, the high school mean girl, attempts to seduce him to make him her Homecoming King. Afterwards, Tony meets with the other jocks and tells them about his meeting with Sage at dance camp and his love for her, longing to see her again. Consumed by his jealousy for Tony, Cody Humphreys, the school meathead, discovers that Tony and Sage met at the same camp and plots with Beth to drive a wedge between the two lovers. At the pep rally, Beth humiliates Sage in front of the whole school. As Tony and the jocks charge in, Sage is shocked to see Tony. He tells Sage to meet him in the library for a talk. Tony runs into Beth, who hands him his stolen phone and threatens to send photos of him dancing on blast if he refuses to join her for Homecoming. In the library, Tony admits to Sage that he faked his resume to Lakeview and had been lying to get through the summer and cope with his upbringing. Heartbroken and furious, Sage confronts him for his lies and leaves the school.
The following day, Sage returns to Mount Abe, where Tony asks her for another chance. He takes her into the tool shed in his backyard and reveals his backstory, that football isn't his only passion and he is afraid of being honest with his coach. Sage shows Tony the weed she and her moms are growing and selling, which is why she and her family are constantly on the move, as well as a garden of sunflowers she planted. The two rekindle their bond and as Homecoming approaches, Sage helps Tony practice for his dance.
At school, Coach catches Tony looking at a video of Sage on his cell phone and takes it from him. After giving Tony his phone back, he reprimands him for not paying attention, reminding him that it is his duty to win the Homecoming game for his school. That night, Tony proposes to Sage that they run off together. The next day, Beth, having taken pictures of the weed, threatens to post them if he doesn't take her to Homecoming. Not wanting to turn Sage over to the police, Tony takes Beth's side. Later, Coach confronts Tony after learning that he went to dance camp. Tony argues with Coach over choosing his future for him. He attempts to kick the football, but fails, which results in Tony picking a fight with the other jocks and running into town to vent his frustrations.
The next day, Tony discovers that Sage tore up her garden out of anger. As Kevin shows Coach a video of Tony and his late mother, Tony, fearing the police would arrest Sage, switches the weed with the sunflowers, outwitting the town cop. That night, Tony and Sage come together and head to the Homecoming game, just in time for Tony to put on his dance act, reconcile with his coach, and win the game. Afterwards, the whole school, with Tony, celebrates their victory.
==Personality==
Tony is a sensitive and passionate teen with a love of music and dancing, but is forced to stifle his identity due to the pressure of his responsibility to win the Homecoming game for his high school. He starts off being afraid to reveal his true intentions to his coach, but grows stronger and more proactive as the story progresses. Tony also has a soft heart, especially when it comes to his girlfriend, Sage, and his big brother, Kevin.
== Quotes ==
==Trivia==
*In the play that inspired the film, Tony was played by Jeremy Vest, who also played Bulletproof Jackson in Bulletproof.
*Tony has some similarities to Troy Bolton in the High School Musical franchise, as both are star athletes in high school with a passion for musical arts and are torn between doing what's expected of them and following their hearts.
==Gallery==
Sage and Tony sharing a kiss.png|Tony and Sage sharing a kiss.
Tony seduced by Beth.png|Tony being seduced by Beth.
Tony longing.png|Tony longing to be with Sage as he sings about his love for her.
Tony confused.png|"What's going on? What are you doing here?"
Tony firm.png|"What if I say no?"
Tony telling Sage the truth.png|Tony telling Sage the truth about his upbringing.
Tony revealing his backstory.png|Tony revealing his backstory to Sage.
Tony proposing.png|Tony proposing to Sage that they run off together.
Tony arguing with Coach.png|Tony arguing with Coach over his chosen future.
File:Tony fighting with jocks.png|Tony picking a fight with the other jocks.
Tony venting.png|Tony venting his frustrations.
Tony singing.png|Tony singing as he prepares to take charge of his destiny.
Tony celebrating his victory.png|Tony celebrating Mount Abe's Homecoming victory after winning the game.
Category:Movie Heroes
Category:Live Action Heroes
Category:Pure Good
Category:Selfless
Category:Successful
Category:Orphans
Category:Liars
Category:Sophisticated
Category:Reluctant Heroes
Category:Passionate Learners
Category:Teenagers
Category:Pawn of the Villain
Category:In Love
Category:Rescuers
Category:Bond Protectors
Category:Betrayed
Category:Bond Creators
Category:Charismatic
Category:Comedy Heroes
Category:Optimists
Category:Male
Category:Wayward Heroes
Category:Self-Aware
Category:Misguided
Category:Honest
Category:Hope Bringers
Category:Strong-Willed
Category:Parody/Homage
Category:Good Vs. Good
Category:Insecure
Category:Rivals
Category:Love Rivals
Category:Determinators
Category:Archenemy
Category:Hope Bringers
Category:Theatrical Heroes