Calhoun Directs Pro Stage Premiere of High School Musical

Jeff Calhoun, who is currently represented on Broadway with Grey Gardens, has been announced as the director of the professional regional theatre premiere of High School Musical.

The Fox Theatre in Atlanta will be the site of the High School Musical professional premiere. Presented by Theater of the Stars, the production of the exuberant musical will take place for 10 performances from January 13th through 21st, 2007.

Disney's High School Musical "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," according to notes on the show, for which casting and full creative team have not yet been announced.  However, members of Actors' Equity will be among the cast.

Calhoun received a Tony Award nomination for choreographing the revival of Grease. Other Broadway credits (as a choreographer) include Bells Are Ringing, Annie Get Your Gun and The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public.  He has both directed and choreographed Brooklyn and Big River, as well as the latter show's touring production.  He recently staged Shenandoah at Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC, and provided the musical staging for Grey Gardens, which is currently in previews.

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.

A number of school productions--including stagings in Pennsylvania, Texas and Indiana--were recently announced by Disney.  The show can be performed 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.

Disney's High School Musical replaces Dr. Doolittle on Theater of the Stars' season roster.  Tickets go on sale October 22nd, and can be purchased through Ticketmaster or through the TOTS box office.

Visit www.theaterofthestars.com for more information.