High School Musical Tour to Play Toronto in Sept.

David and Ed Mirvish have announced that the new touring stage version of High School Musical will play the Princess of Wales Theatre in Toronto for a limited engagement beginning September 4, 2007.  Presented by Disney Theatrical Productions, the division responsible for such smash Broadway hits as The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast and Mary Poppins, the show is based on the 2006 Emmy Award-winning Disney Channel Original Movie.  
 
This new touring stage adaptation of Disney's High School Musical will be directed by Jeff Calhoun (Big River).  The musical 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.  The touring company includes a live orchestra and a cast of 34 talented theatrical performers.   
 
Commenting on the announcement, David Mirvish said, "I am thrilled that we will be bringing this remarkably popular title as a fully realized stage production to Toronto.  I hope it will provide an opportunity to introduce kids to the arts and the world of theatre for the very first time.  You can't ask for more than that."  
 
The show "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, the couple inspires other students to go public with some surprising hidden talents of their own," state press notes.

The creative team for this new touring stage production of High School Musical, in addition to aforementioned director Calhoun, will be choreographer Lisa Stevens, scenic designer Kenneth Foy, costume designer Wade Laboissonniere, lighting designer Kenneth Billington, sound designer Duncan Robert Edwards and music supervisor Bryan Louiselle.

"High School Musical" premiered on Disney Channel U.S. on January 20, 2006 and posted the highest ratings for a Disney Channel Original Movie up until that time.  It went on to become a smash hit internationally and, in 2006, aired on 26 Disney Channels and free-to-air broadcasters worldwide, reaching over 100 million viewers in over 100 countries.  It was also the first TV movie to be offered on the iTunes Music Store.  "High School Musical" delivered the #1 album of 2006, the year's #1 TV movie on DVD, licensed amateur and professional touring stage productions, a best-selling junior novel, a popular consumer products franchise at mass retailers, a themed show at Disneyland Parks and Resorts in Anaheim, Orlando and soon, Paris, a sold-out 42 date arena concert tour in North America and soon, Latin America, starring most of the cast, and a touring ice show premiering in late 2007.  Adding to its success, it won the two Emmy Awards, a DGA Award, Television Critics Association Award, an Imagen Award, a Director's Guild of America Award and a Humanitas Prize nomination.  Its soundtrack received a Billboard Music Award (Soundtrack of the Year) and was nominated for an American Music Award in the Favorite Album (Pop/Rock) category.  Walt Disney Studios announced it will develop a feature film based on the movie for release in 2008. 

Priority seating for is on sale Wednesday, May 30, 2007 for groups of 20 or more by calling TicketKing at 416-593-4142 or 1-800-724-6420.  Individual ticket information will be announced at a later date.  Visit www.mirvish.com for more information.