Disney Theatrical Productions and Music Theater International granted the first license of the amateur stage production to the Loch Sheldrake, New York program, which is slated to perform in August.

The stage version — based on the Disney Channel Original Movie written by Peter Barsocchini — features a book by David Simpatico with songs by Matthew Gerrard and Robbie Nevil; Ray Cham, Greg Cham and Andrew Seeley; Randy Petersen and Kevin Quinn; Andy Dodd and Adam Watts; Bryan Louiselle; Jamie Houston; David N. Lawrence and Faye Greenberg. The music is adapted, arranged and produced by Bryan Louiselle.

MTI licenses a full-length stage musical that runs approximately two hours with an intermission and is "geared toward high-school and amateur adult performers." The stage version contains all the songs from the Disney Channel movie soundtrack with the addition of two new songs and a "High School Musical Megamix." A 70-minute, one-act version "geared for middle-school age performers" is also available.

A number of high schools have already reportedly lined up the adaptation as well. For more information on the stage version and licensing, visit www.mtishows.com.

* First Street Films in association with Disney Channel presented the work which broke all kinds of television and album sales records. The soundtrack and DVD for the movie are available for purchase.

High School Musical centers on the unlikely friendship that evolves between the jock Troy and brainiac Gabriella at a karaoke contest. Little did the two know that she would be transferring to his school. The duo decide — against their friends' wishes and to the dismay of school stars (a drama queen and her twin brother) — to audition for the high school musical.

"Newsies" director-choreographer Kenny Ortega headed up "High School Musical," which premiered on Disney Channel Jan. 20. A sequel is already in the works.

For more information, visit www.disney.go.com/disneychannel.