Casting is now complete for the musical sequel, which reunites the original stage creative team of High School Musical, including director Jeff Calhoun and choreographer Lisa Stevens.
Running Nov. 6-16, High School Musical 2 follows in the footsteps of its wildly successful predecessor, High School Musical, with the ongoing tales of Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, Ryan and the energetic East High Wildcats.
Anderson Davis (Les Miserables) is cast as basketball sensation Troy Bolton opposite Arielle Jacob, who reprises her work as Gabriella Montez, a role she originated in the 2007 Atlanta stage premiere of High School Musical.
High School Musical 2 also features Rebecca Faulkenberry as Sharpay Evans and Bobby List as Ryan Evans. Faulkenberry played the role for HSM's West End premiere, while List was also seen in the 2007 stage premiere. Additional cast members include Shannon Antalan (Taylor McKessie), Paul Downs Colaizzo (Zeke Baylor), Michael Mahany (Jack Scott), Olivia Oguma (Kelsi Nielsen), Jelani Remy (Chad Danforth), Patrick Richwood (Fulton) and Lizzie Weiss (Martha Cox).
The ensemble comprises Tia Altinay, Andrea Best, Brian Beach, Alicia Charles, Anthony Christian Daniel, Marjorie Failoni, Derek Ferguson, Samantha Lea Hewes, Lauren Lim Jackson, Benjamin Mapp, Tim McGarrigal, Neptune, Josh Sassanella, Melinda Sullivan, Casey Tuma and Travis Waldschmidt. Also reuniting for the Atlanta stage premiere are original High School Musical creative team members Bryan Louiselle (musical director and special musical adaptations/arrangements), David Simpatico (book), Kenneth Foy (scenic design), Wade Laboissonniere (costume design) and Ken Billington (lighting design).
"The Wildcats are back," read press notes for the stage version of the film sequel. "This time, school's out and East High School hoops star Troy Bolton, A-student Gabriella Montez and the rest of the Wildcats are getting ready for a fun summer vacation. But that all changes when scheming drama queen Sharpay Evans uses her dad's connections to get Troy a job at their ritzy country club — and a chance at a college basketball scholarship. The catch? He'll have to turn his back on his friends and pair up with Sharpay in a musical extravaganza for the club's annual talent show. But when Gabriella and the Wildcats start making plans without Troy, he must decide where his loyalties truly lie."
Songs include "What Time Is It," "Fabulous," "Work This Out," "You Are the Music In Me," "I Don't Dance," "Gotta Go My Own Way," "Bet On It," "Everyday," "All for One" and "Humuhumunukunukuapua'a."
"High School Musical 2," the second installment in the lucrative franchise, made its television debut in August 2007. "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" will debut in theatres Oct. 24.
Calhoun has also staged the worldwide touring productions of Disney's High School Musical: On Tour and Disney's High School Musical: The Ice Tour. His work for Broadway includes Big River, Brooklyn and the 1994 revival of Grease!
Tickets are available by calling (404) 817-8700 or by visiting ticketmaster.com.
All productions are staged at Atlanta's Fox Theatre, located at 660 Peachtree Street.
For further information visit theaterofthestars.com.
