Disney’s High School Musical is a contemporary musical comedy about a popular high school basketball star, Troy Bolton, and a shy, academically gifted newcomer, Gabriella Montez, 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 causes an uproar among their peers. 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.

This new touring stage adaptation of Disney’s High School Musical is directed by Jeff Calhoun (Big River), 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 professional performers.

Thomas Schumacher, President and Producer of Disney Theatrical Productions, commented, “Our stage version of this great musical has been mounted as a direct response to overwhelming demand. As someone who has been passionate about theatre since I was a kid, I am thrilled that we are touring this remarkably popular title as a fully realized stage production, and most certainly introducing countless young people to the world of theatre for the very first time. You can’t ask for more than that.” Schumacher adds, “It’s a great joy and a privilege to be able to produce and present the Disney Channel’s enormously popular musical on stage.”

Rich Ross, president, Disney Channel Worldwide, said, "To have the great characters, movie and music from our Disney Channel original movie adapted for this professional theatre tour is an honor and we hope it will provide an opportunity to introduce kids to the arts."

“High School Musical is a fun, high quality family production and a great spring addition to Hennepin Theatre Trust’s Broadway Season,” remarked Thomas L. Hoch, President/CEO of Hennepin Theatre Trust.

The creative team for this new touring stage production of High School Musical, in addition to director Calhoun, are 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 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.

TICKET INFORMATION
High School Musical will play the State Theatre (805 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, 55402) beginning Tuesday, April 1 through Sunday, April 6, 2008. “Pick Your Own Package” tickets are available at the State Theatre Box Office, by phone through the Season Ticket Hotline (Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST) at 1-800-859-7469 or online at www.HennepinTheatreDistrict.org. The performance schedule is Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more and should call 612-373-5665 to purchase tickets beginning on Friday, September 7. Current season ticket holders who would like to purchase additional tickets to High School Musical should call the Customer Service Hotline or log on to www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com. Single tickets will go on sale to the general public at a later date.

HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST
Hennepin Theatre Trust is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit performing arts organization dedicated to enhancing the cultural and economic vitality of the Hennepin Theatre District. With a focus on engaging community members in a diverse array of live performances and educational experiences, the Trust’s annual presentations include the M&I Bank Broadway Across America – Minneapolis Season, National Geographic Live! Speaker’s Series and an eclectic range of variety entertainment including theatre, dance, comedy and music. The Trust’s additional community programming includes the SpotLight Musical Theatre Program, Reel to Real, Critical View (a student reviewer program), the Starbucks Ticket Access Program and Kids’ Night on Broadway. Over 500,000 patrons visit the Trust’s State, Orpheum and Pantages Theatres annually.

BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA
Broadway Across America presents first-rate touring Broadway shows, family productions and other live theatrical events throughout a network of over 40 North American cities. A leader in subscription series programs and group ticketing, Broadway Across America is dedicated to creating memorable and accessible experiences for all guests, selling over five million tickets to over 3,000 performances each year. As a producer, current and recent Broadway productions include: Hairspray, Chicago, Monty Python’s Spamalot and The Producers. It also manages, operates or consults in the operation of 13 theatres across North America. For more information or to purchase tickets through an authorized agent go to BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.