High School Musical to Begin U.K. Tour in Jan. '08

Variety reports that the popular stage version of High School Musical, soon to be seen in a U.S. national tour, will also receive a U.K. touring production.

The U.K. tour will kick off in Bromley on January 23rd, 2008, and will play Edinburgh, Wimbledon, Manchester and Glasgow among its more than 30 engagements. Produced by Stage Entertainment in co-operation with Disney Theatrical Productions, it will - like the U.S. tour - be helmed by Jeff Calhoun (Big River). 

London plans have not been announced for High School Musical.

High School 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 U.S. touring company includes a live orchestra and a cast of 35 performers.  

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" 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.  Walt Disney Studios announced it will develop a feature film based on the movie for release in 2008, while "High School Musical 2" begins airing next month on the Disney Channel.

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