New Stage Musical Based on HSM to Launch in the U.K.

LONDON, July 3: Disney Theatrical Productions—responsible for musicals like The Lion King—will launch a touring stage adaptation of the award-winning Disney Channel original movie High School Musical in the U.K. in January 2008.

Produced by Stage Entertainment in cooperation with Disney Theatrical Productions, the first U.K. tour of High School Musical will launch at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley in January 2008 and then visit more than 30 venues across the U.K. throughout the year. Additional venues include the Edinburgh Playhouse, the Bristol Hippodrome and the New Wimbledon Theatre, among others.

Directed by Jeff Calhoun, the director of the award-winning Broadway revivals of Grease and Big River, the new stage adaptation will feature 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, including the U.K. hit singles Breaking Free and We’re All In This Together, plus two new numbers. The touring company will also include a live orchestra and 34 actors, with casting to be announced later this year.

In addition to director Calhoun, the creative team for the new production will include choreographer Lisa Stevens, scenic designer Kenneth Foy, costume designer Wade Laboissonniere, lighting designer Ken Billington and music supervisor Bryan Louiselle.

In the U.K., the premiere telecast of High School Musical in September 2006 ranked as the highest-rated original movie on Disney Channel, and the film has now been seen by 9.4 million television viewers. The soundtrack for High School Musical has been certified double platinum in the U.K., and more than 1.6 million DVDs of High School Musical have been sold.

Rich Ross, the president of Disney Channel Worldwide, commented: "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."

Added John Hardie, the executive VP and managing director of Disney Channel for Europe, Middle East and Africa: "Kids and families in the U.K. and all across the continent have shown a great love for the TV movie, its soundtrack and DVD and are eagerly anticipating the stage adaptation."