Disney Confirms First High School Musical Productions

Disney Theatrical Productions and Music Theatre International (MTI) have confirmed the first licensed amateur stage productions of the newly adapted stage musical Disney's High School Musical, with the premiere show to be presented by Stagedoor Manor, the renowned kids/teens theatre summer camp based in Sheldrake, N.Y. in August, 2006. 

Other confirmed amateur productions include Green Valley High School (Henderson, NV), James H. Blake High School (Silver Spring, MD), Woodhills High School (Pittsburgh, PA), Upper Darby High School (Fort Washington, PA), Woodlands High School (The Woodlands, TX), Steven F. Austin High School (Austin, TX) and New Albany High School (New Albany, IN).

Based on the international smash hit Disney Channel Original Movie "High School Musical," the licensed stage adaptation, Disney's High School Musical is available as a full-length, two-act production as well as a one-act, 60-minute adaptation. Both versions are available for schools and amateur productions.

"We have already received an overwhelming response from schools all over the country" says Thomas Schumacher, Producer, Disney Theatrical Productions.  "With Disney titles, including Beauty and the Beast and Aida, already having been performed in over 1,500 schools, by the end of 2007 we can anticipate some 2,000 schools will produce High School Musical. That would mean, at the end of the first year alone, over 60,000 students will have the thrill of bringing live theatre to their communities. It is simply astounding to think of how many young artists will have the opportunity to work on High School Musical. As someone who grew up working in amateur productions and dreaming of a career in the theatre, High School Musical will give these students their first taste of presenting a show."

Since its premiere January 20, 2006 on Disney Channel, "High School Musical" has been televised 13 times and was seen by over 37 million unduplicated total viewers.  Its premiere telecast alone set household ratings records for Disney Channel and the movie has since set ratings records in Australia and Southeast Asia.  By the end of the year, it will be televised in 100 countries worldwide.  The soundtrack is the #1 top-selling album of the year-to date, has certified triple Platinum (over 2.7 million sold) and delivered six Gold certified singles since its January 10 debut.   The "High School Musical" release on DVD sold over 2.3 million copies since its release on May 23– and is the best-selling TV movie on DVD of all time.  A junior novel based on the movie soared to #1 on the New York Times bestseller list (children's paperbacks) and a folio of sheet music for guitar, piano and vocals is a top-seller.

In addition to the release of Disney's High School Musical, the MTI/Disney Musical Collection draws upon the successful Broadway productions of full-length Disney titles with Disney's Beauty and the Beast and Elton John & Tim Rice's Aida.  Quickly becoming one of the most-produced shows in the US, Beauty and the Beast has been presented by over 1,500 schools and amateur theatre groups within 18 months of its release.  Aida has followed suit with several hundred productions to date.  Based on the beloved animated feature, Aladdin JR. is the first Disney title to be added to MTI's Junior Collection.  The 60-minute adaptation, developed for middle-school level performers has been quickly embraced by schools with over 1,300 productions since January, 2005. 

The vast Disney catalog of stories has also been resourced for the launch of MTI's KIDS Collection for elementary school performers.  The Jungle Book KIDS, Cinderella KIDS and 101 Dalmatians KIDS marked the premiere of these 30-minute musical productions and have collectively been produced by over 1,000 schools around the country.  Additional Disney full-length, KIDS and JR. titles are anticipated to be released and added to the Disney Collection at a future date.

Schools and amateur theatre groups interested in licensing Disney's High School Musical, or any other Disney title may contact MTI at (212) 541-4684 or online at www.mtishows.com.