High School Musical Tour to Play L.A.'s Kodak Dec. 12-23

A new touring stage version of High School Musical will play Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center for 16 performances only, December 12 to 23.  Presented by Disney Theatrical Productions, the division responsible for such smash Broadway hits as The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast and Mary Poppins, High School Musical is based on the 2006 Emmy Award-winning Disney Channel Original Movie.  Priority seating is available for groups of 15 or more by calling 1-888-DISNEY6 or 323-308-6333.  Single tickets will go on sale October 20.

This new touring stage adaptation of Disney's High School Musical is directed by Jeff Calhoun (Big River). The show features a book by David Simpatico (adapted from the original movie script by Peter Barsocchini), and a score including all the songs from the original soundtrack plus two new songs.  The touring company includes a live orchestra and a cast of 34 professional performers.

Commenting on the announcement, Thomas Schumacher, President and Producer of Disney Theatrical Productions, said, "Our stage version of this great property has been mounted as a direct response to overwhelming demand.   As someone who has been passionate about theatre since I was a kid, I am thrilled that we are touring this remarkably popular title as a fully realized stage production, and most certainly introducing countless young people to the world of theatre for the very first time. You can't ask for more than that."  Schumacher adds, "It is a great joy and privilege for us to be able to produce and present the Disney Channel's enormously popular property on stage."

Rich Ross, president, Disney Channel Worldwide, said, "To have the great characters, movie and music from our Disney Channel Original Movie adapted for this professional theatre tour is an honor and we hope it will provide an opportunity to introduce kids to the arts."

Disney's High School Musical "is a contemporary musical comedy about a popular high school basketball star and a shy, academically gifted newcomer who discover they share a secret passion for singing.  When they sign up together to audition for the lead roles in the school musical, it threatens East High's rigid social order and sends their peers into an uproar.  In a desperate effort to maintain the status quo, the "jocks," the 'brainiacs' and even the drama club regulars are soon hatching convoluted plots to separate the pair and keep them offstage.  By defying expectations and taking a chance on their dreams, however, the couple inspires other students to go public with some surprising hidden talents of their own," state press notes.

The creative team for this new touring stage production of High School Musical, in addition to aforementioned director Calhoun, are choreographer Lisa Stevens, scenic designer Kenneth Foy, costume designer Wade Laboissonniere, lighting designer Kenneth Billington, sound designer Duncan Robert Edwards and music supervisor Bryan Louiselle.

"High School Musical" premiered on Disney Channel U.S. on January 20, 2006 and posted the highest ratings for a Disney Channel Original Movie up until that time.  It went on to become a smash hit internationally and, in 2006, aired on 26 Disney Channels and free-to-air broadcasters worldwide, reaching over 100 million viewers in over 100 countries.   It was also the first TV movie to be offered on the iTunes Music Store.

"High School Musical" delivered the #1 album of 2006, the year's #1 TV movie on DVD, licensed amateur and professional touring stage productions, a best-selling junior novel, a popular consumer products franchise at mass retailers, a themed show at Disneyland Parks and Resorts in Anaheim, Orlando and soon, Paris, a sold-out 42 date arena concert tour in North America and soon, Latin America, starring most of the cast, and a touring ice show premiering in late 2007.

Adding to its success, it won the two Emmy Awards, a DGA Award, Television Critics Association Award, an Imagen Award, a Director's Guild of America Award and a Humanitas Prize nomination.  Its soundtrack received a Billboard Music Award (Soundtrack of the Year) and was nominated for an American Music Award in the Favorite Album (Pop/Rock) category.  Walt Disney Studios announced it will develop a feature film based on the movie for release in 2008.

The musical will play Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center for 16 performances only from December 12 to 23.  It plays Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 pm; Saturday matinees at 2 pm; and Sundays at 1 pm and 6:30 pm.  There is a special Thursday matinee on December 13 at 2 pm.

Tickets range in price from $20 to $70. VIP Ticket Packages are also available.  The package includes a souvenir program and parking and is priced at $125. Priority seating is available for groups of 15 or more by calling 1-888-DISNEY6 or 323-308-6333. Single tickets go on sale October 20.  For more information, visit www.highschoolmusicalontour.com.

Photos by Joan Marcus - 1) Opening Scene - "Wildcat Cheer;" 2) Arielle Jacobs and John Jeffrey Martin

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