High School Musical tells the empowering story of two teenagers–Troy Bolton, the popular captain of the basketball team, and Gabriella Montez, the super smart transfer student–who navigate the tricky currents of peer pressure to follow their dream and land the lead roles in the school musical. When they sign up for the musical together, it threatens East High's rigid social order and causes 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.

This new touring stage adaptation of Disney’s High School Musical is directed by Jeff Calhoun (known for his work on the revival of the Tony Award-nominated Big River), features a book by David Simpatico (adapted from the original movie script by Peter Barsocchini) and a score including all the favorite songs from the original soundtrack plus two new songs written for the stage. The touring company includes a live orchestra and a cast of 34 professional performers. The creative team for this new touring stage production of High School Musical, in addition to director Calhoun, is 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. The cast of High School Musical features John Jeffrey Martin as Troy Bolton and Arielle Jacobs as Gabriella Montez. Other cast members include Ron Bohmer as Coach Bolton, Shakiem Evans as Chad Danforth, Ellen Harvey as Ms. Darbus, Shaullanda LaCombe as Taylor McKessie, Bobby List as Ryan Evans, Michael Mahany as Jack Scott, Olivia Oguma as Kelsi Neilson, Ben Thompson as Zeke Baylor, Lizzie Weiss as Martha Cox and Heléne Yorke as Sharpay Evans.

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.”

“High School Musical is a fun, high quality production for all ages and a great spring addition to Hennepin Theatre Trust’s Broadway Season. We also hope many families will take the opportunity to attend through Kids’ Night on Broadway April 1-3,” remarked Thomas L. Hoch, President/CEO of Hennepin Theatre Trust.

“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, airing on 27 Disney Channels and free-to-air broadcasters worldwide, reaching over 250 million viewers in over 100 countries including China. 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 Paris, a sold-out 42 date arena concert tour in North America and Latin America and a popular touring ice show around the world. Adding to its success, it won two Emmy Awards, a Television Critics Association Award, an Imagen Award, a Director's Guild of America Award and a Humanitas Prize nomination among other honors. 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. Its critically acclaimed sequel, “High School Musical 2,” ranks as the #1 basic cable telecast of all time (18.6 million viewers for its August 17, 2007 premiere) and has thus far been seen by 179 million viewers around the world. Its soundtrack went quadruple Platinum in the U.S., triple Platinum in the U.K. and it recently won an American Music Award. Walt Disney Studios will begin production on a feature film based on the movie (directed and choreographed by Kenny Ortega and featuring the original cast) scheduled for a 2008 release in theatres around the world.

TICKET INFORMATION
Individual tickets for High School Musical are on sale now and range in price from $23 to $67, depending upon performance time and seating preference. All prices include applicable facility fees. Additional charges may apply. Tickets may be purchased in person at the State Theatre Box Office (805 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, 55402), online at HennepinTheatreDistrict.org or through Ticketmaster at 612-673-0404. Groups of 15 or more should call 612-373-5665 for information and reservations.

Performance dates for High School Musical are Tuesday, April 1 through Sunday, April 6, 2008 at the State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, 55402. Show times are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and 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. The Kids’ Night on Broadway performances are Tuesday, April 1, Wednesday, April 2 and Thursday, April 3 at 7:30 p.m. Kids (17 and under) receive one free admission to these performances with the purchase of a full price adult ticket. [Use the password KIDS.]

HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST
Hennepin Theatre Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable trust that engages community members in a diverse array of live performances and education experiences, oversees the operation and preservation of the State, Orpheum and Pantages Theatres and contributes to the economic vitality of the Hennepin Theatre District. The Trust’s annual presentations include Broadway touring productions, the National Geographic Live! Speakers Series, the Literary Legends Series and an eclectic range of variety entertainment including theatre, dance, comedy and music. The Trust’s additional community programming includes its SpotLight Musical Theatre Program, 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
Owned and operated by British theatre producer John Gore (CEO) and led by Thomas B. McGrath (Chairman), Broadway Across America presents first-class touring Broadway musicals and plays, family productions and other live events throughout a network of 42 North American cities. Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse live theatre for productions on Broadway, across America and throughout the world. Current productions include A CATERED AFFAIR, PASSING STRANGE, SPAMALOT, GO DIEGO GO and THE BACKYARDIGANS. For more information or to purchase tickets through an authorized agent go to BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.