Photo Flash: High School Musical Tour Opening Night

The premiere engagement of the national tour of Disney's High School Musical opened at Chicago's LaSalle Bank Theatre on Wednesday, August 1.

Festivities included red carpet arrivals with Monique Coleman and Kenny Ortega from the original Disney Channel movie, Disney executives Dick Cook (Chairman, Walt Disney Studios) and Thomas Schumacher (President, Disney Theatrical Productions), as well as Michelle Obama (wife of Senator Barrack Obama) and family.  The celebration continued after the performance with an opening night party at the Palmer House Hilton.

High School Musical, a new touring stage adaptation of the movie, is directed by Jeff Calhoun and features a book by David Simpatico (adapted from the original movie script by Peter Barsocchini), and a score including all the songs from the original soundtrack plus two new songs.

Disney's High School Musical is "a contemporary musical comedy about a popular high school basketball star and a shy, academically gifted newcomer who discover they share a secret passion for singing.  When they sign up together to audition for the lead roles in the school musical, it threatens East High's rigid social order and sends their peers into an uproar.  In a desperate effort to maintain the status quo, the 'jocks,' the 'brainiacs' and even the drama club regulars are soon hatching convoluted plots to separate the pair and keep them offstage.  By defying expectations and taking a chance on their dreams, however, the couple inspires other students to go public with some surprising hidden talents of their own," as described in press materials.

High School Musical is now playing at Chicago's LaSalle Bank Theatre (18 W. Monroe St.) through September 2, 2007.  The performance schedule is as follows:  Wednesdays at 2 & 7:30PM; Thursdays at 7:30PM; Fridays at 8PM; Saturdays at 2 & 8PM; and Sundays at 1 & 6:30PM. Please note:  There will be added performances on Tuesday August 7 and Tuesday, August 28 at 7:30PM.  There will NOT be a 2PM performance on Wednesday, August 8; or a 6:30PM performance on Sunday, August 5 or Sunday, September 2.

Tickets ($20-$78) and are available at Broadway in Chicago Box Offices (18 W. Monroe St., 24 W. Randolph St. and 151 W. Randolph St.), through the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at 312-902-1400, online at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, go to www.broadwayinchicago.com or http://disney.go.com/theatre/highschoolmusical

Photos credit: Bob Carl

Monique Coleman, cast member (Taylor McKessie) from the original Disney Channel movie, greets fans

Shaullanda LaCombe (Taylor McKessie in the national touring stage production) poses with Monique Coleman (Taylor McKessie from the original Disney Channel movie)

Arielle Jacobs (Gabriella Montez) and Bobby List (Ryan Evans) at the Opening Night Party

Shaullanda LaCombe with Michelle Obama

Kenny Ortega, director of the original Disney Channel movie, greets fans

Marjorie Failoni (cast member and dance captain) and Lisa Stevens (choreographer) at the Opening Night Party

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