Nov. 9-18 Palace Theatre | www.playhousesquare.org
It’s draped over your children’s notebooks. Dangling from your daughter’s ears. Glowing from your television screen. You can’t even drive to the grocery store without Ashley Tisdale blaring from your speakers. And now, it’s invading Cleveland. A 35-member cast is touring the nation in the stage production of the 2006 Emmy Award-winning Disney Channel phenomenon “High School Musical.”
What started as just another made-for-TV movie aimed at tweens has turned into a colossal hit since its 2006 debut, reaching more than 100 million viewers across the globe. The sound track album and DVD subsequently flew off store shelves and gave way to a product tie-in bonanza. (Care for a “High School Musical” change purse, anyone?)
What started as just another made-for-TV movie aimed at tweens has turned into a colossal hit since its 2006 debut, reaching more than 100 million viewers across the globe. The sound track album and DVD subsequently flew off store shelves and gave way to a product tie-in bonanza. (Care for a “High School Musical” change purse, anyone?)
But what makes this 20th century “Grease”-esque film so amazing? Maybe it’s the plot — breaking the social barriers in high school. Maybe it’s the characters — the athlete, the new girl, the drama queen. Maybe it’s the message — forget what people think and just follow your heart. Regardless, it’s a kid-friendly movie and a guilty pleasure for parents (don’t deny it; you watch it too).
Zac Efron and Vanessa Anne Hudgens along with the rest of the movie cast have handed over the reigns to a new group of up-and-coming theatrical actors for the stage version, which includes the movie’s hit songs and two new tunes. John Jeffrey Martin will star as Troy Bolton alongside Arielle Jacobs as Gabriella Montez. Watch them belt it out as they follow their dreams to nail the leads in their high school musical.
