Calhoun staged the Broadway and touring versions of the praised Deaf West version of Big River. He also directed the Broadway musical Brooklyn and did musical staging for Grey Gardens.

"We are thrilled to be one of a handful of regional theatre which were chosen by Disney Theatricals to produce this marvelous new musical sensation," Manos stated. "We'll present the show at the Fabulous Fox Theatre for 10 performances…"

A modified version of the property is already spreading in student and amateur venues around the country. The TOTS staging will be a full-length legit production and include members of Actors' Equity Association. A cast and creative team has not been announced, and it's thought at this time that the TOTS staging will be independent of other Equity productions in 2007 — it's not a co-production or tour at this point.

Disney's High School Musical, according to TOTS, " tells the story of a group of high school students who are struggling with issues of popularity, first love, balancing education with extra curricular activities, and the value of friends and family. With positive themes like the importance of expressing yourself, believing in yourself and following your dreams, this new family-friendly musical is sure to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages."

Disney's High School Musical will replace the previously announced Dr. Dolittle in the 2006 series lineup. Tickets will go on sale to the public on Oct. 22 at the Fox box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. "Disney's High School Musical," the TV musical, has broken records in television viewership and in CD and online sales. The first broadcast on Jan. 20, 2006, garnered more than 7.7 million viewers in five million households. Within 24 hours the show's web site received more than 500,000 hits with visitors downloading lyrics to the song "Breaking Free." The soundtrack climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Charts in March and the single "Breaking Free" has since been certified platinum, along with five other songs on the soundtrack going gold.

Atlanta’s Theater of the Stars is celebrating its 54th anniversary this year as one of the nation's major regional theatre companies. A civic non-profit cultural organization, Theater of the Stars "is dedicated to presenting and producing the best in musical theatre."

To learn more about TOTS history, visit www.theaterofthestars.com.