Disney Theatrical Productions presents the road production of the stage version of the Disney Channel original movie. Jeff Calhoun (Big River) — who originally staged the show at Atlanta's Theatre of the Stars — directs the touring production.
The tour will play Detroit's Fisher Theatre (June 26-July 8) and Philadelphia's Academy of Music at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (July 11-22) before reaching Chicago's LaSalle Bank Theatre (July 25-Sept. 2). Future stops are to be announced.
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.
The company features John Jeffrey Martin (Rocky Horror Show, Hairspray) as Troy, Arielle Jacobs (Crazy for You, A Chorus Line) as Gabriella, Shakiem Evans (Mamma Mia!, Fame) as Chad, Shaullanda LaCombe (The Lion King, Ain't Misbehavin') as Taylor, Bobby List (The Human Comedy, The 60’s Project) as Ryan, Olivia Oguma (Mamma Mia!, Les Miserables) as Kelsi and Chandra Lee Schwartz (Gypsy, Hairspray) as Sharpay.
Bohmer (The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Phantom of the Opera, The Woman in White) plays Coach Bolton opposite Harvey (Thou Shalt Not, The Music Man, tour of Mamma Mia!) as drama teacher Ms. Darbus. The stage show features a book by David Simpatico, adapted from the original movie script by Peter Barsocchini. All the songs from the original soundtrack (written by numerous songwriters) are featured in the show along with two added songs.
Lisa Stevens choreographs. The design team for High School Musical includes Kenneth Foy (scenic), Wade Laboissonniere (costume), Kenneth Billington (lighting) and Duncan Robert Edwards (sound). Bryan Louiselle serves as music supervisor.
Disney's "High School Musical" has become a phenomenon of its own, spawning a concert tour, an ice show, two stage versions and a forthcoming sequel slated to debut in August. The soundtrack and multiple DVDs are also available.
Tickets are available by venue at the following:
Detroit: nederlanderdetroit.com
Philadelphia: kimmelcenter.org
Chicago: broadwayinchicago.com
