Lyric Theatre Kicks Off Summer With Disney's HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2, Opens 6/25

Lyric Theatre, Oklahoma’s premiere professional theatre company, will open its 2009 summer season of musicals on Thursday, June 25th with the live stage version of Disney’s High School Musical 2, the second installment of the wildly popular movie series about the adventures and friendships of a group of high school students. Due to Lyric’s success with the 2007 live production of the first High School Musical, the Oklahoma City Theatre Company was one of the first in the country to be given permission to produce a professional version of the sequel. Disney’s High School Musical 2 plays from June 25th – 28th at the Civic Center Music Hall in downtown Oklahoma City. Call (405) 524-9312 for tickets.

High School Musical 2 premiered as a made-for-television movie on the Disney Channel in August 2007 and made history as the most-watched cable telecast of all time. Disney quickly developed the film into a stage production, filled with the same catchy pop hits as the movie, including “Fabulous”, “What Time Is It?”, and “You Are The Music In Me.” In the sequel, Troy, the popular captain of the basketball team, and his love interest, the brainy and beautiful Gabriella, find summer jobs at the Lava Springs Country Club, along with a group of their friends. While at Lava Springs, the gang prepares for the annual summer talent show, which results in romantic entanglements, misunderstandings, and questions about priorities and loyalty. All young teenagers can relate to this story, as the various characters discover who they are and what is really important.

Lyric Theatre’s live production of High School Musical 2 stars Jenny Gulley in the role of Gabriella. Gulley starred in the National Tour of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and has also performed the role of Gabriella in several regional productions of the original High School Musical. Her leading man, Troy, will be played by Michael Kadin Craig, a young New York actor who took a leave of absence from his role in off-Broadway’s Altar Boyz in order to play Troy, a role he performed at Casa Mañana in Texas opposite Gulley earlier this year. Also featured in the cast are Parish Mechling as Sharpay, Skyler Adams as Ryan, Brent Goble as Chad, Sasha Hutchings as Taylor, and Sophie Menas as Kelsi. They are joined by an ensemble of thirty young men and women, many of whom are students of Lyric’s ThElma Gaylord Academy.

At the helm of the production is director Alan Muraoka, who returns to Lyric after directing the original High School Musical production here in 2007. Muraoka has a special gift for reaching out and entertaining young audiences, as demonstrated by his twelve years of performing as ‘Alan’ on Sesame Street, the classic educational program that celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. In addition, Muraoka has extensive national and international directing credits and has appeared in six Broadway shows, including the role of the Engineer in Miss Saigon. Muraoka has previously worked with both Jenny Gulley and Michael Kadin Craig and is thrilled with the level of vocal talent they bring to the show.

Lyric’s production of High School Musical 2 will be choreographed by Darren Lee, with music direction by Brian Hamilton. Scenery design is by J. Branson, costume design by Jeffrey Meek, lighting by Helena Kuukka, and sound by George Ryan.

Disney’s High School Musical 2 will run from June 25th through 28th, at the Civic Center Music Hall in downtown Oklahoma City. Tickets are priced from $22 to $55. Senior discounts (ages 65+), Student discounts (ages 18 and under), and Group discounts (20+) are also available. Show times are Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 2:00pm and 8:00pm, and Sunday at 2:00pm. For tickets: www.LyricTheatreOKC.com, (405) 524-9312, 1-800-364-7111, or in person at 1727 NW 16th St, Oklahoma City, OK.

Operating since 1963, Lyric Theatre is Oklahoma’s premiere professional musical theatre company. The 2009 season continues with productions of The Music Man, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Producers, and Little Shop of Horrors. Season tickets for these four shows are still available, starting at only $86. (High School Musical 2 is not part of the season ticket package, but season subscribers receive a discount on HSM2 tickets.) Call (405) 524-9312 for more information or visit www.LyricTheatreOKC.com.

Photo by Wendy Mutz

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