Disney’s
High School Musical is coming to the London stage. Already a hit TV movie, a quadruple-platinum soundtrack, a bestselling book and a chart-topping DVD, the live version will open at the Hammersmith Apollo on 30 June.
High School Musical is a contemporary musical comedy about Troy, a popular high school basketball star, and Gabriella, a shy, academically gifted newcomer, who discover they share a secret passion for singing. When they sign up to audition together for the lead roles in the school musical it threatens East High's rigid social order and sends their peers into uproar. In an attempt to maintain the status quo, the jocks and brainiacs, and even the drama club regulars, are soon hatching convoluted plans to separate the pair and keep them offstage. Defying expectations and taking a chance on their dreams and each other, the couple inspires the other students to go public with some surprising hidden talents of their own.
This new stage adaptation of the Disney Channel Original Movie features a book by David Simpatico (adapted from the original movie script by Peter Barsocchini) and a score including all songs from the original version, including the U.K. hit singles “Breaking Free” and “We’re All In This Together,” plus two new numbers. The production will be directed by Jeff Calhoun, whose credits include the award-winning Broadway revivals of Grease and Big River. The creative team also includes the original U.S. production’s choreographer Lisa Stevens and other members of the American production team.
The production begins a 31-date U.K. tour today