High School Musical on Stage!

High School Musical on Stage! is an American musical written by David Simpatico, with music and lyrics by a variety of composers.

Sometimes referred to simply as High School Musical.

The original text

The piece is based on the Disney Channel Original Movie called High School Musical (2006) written by Peter Barsocchini and directed by Kenny Ortega[1].

The stage version features music and lyrics by Matthew Gerrard, Robbie Nevil, Ray and Greg Cham, Drew Seeley, Randy Petersen, Kevin Quinn, Andy Dodd, Adam Watts, Bryan Louiselle, David N. Lawrence, Faye Greenberg and Jamie Houston. The book was written by David Simpatico.

Originally produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, it opened in Minneapolis, then went on a US tour that began on May 29, 2007 and ending on August 3, 2008. This was followed by tour of the UK in 2008 UK tour and ending on the West End. Further international productions followed over the ensuing years. The piece soon became a very popular choice for high school musical theatre productions as well.[2]

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

2008-2009: In association with Disney Theatrical Productions, the impresarios Pieter Toerien and Hazel Feldman brought the musical to South Africa, to be performed with a local cast and crew. It previewed at the Artscape Opera House in November, 2008 and was then performed at the Teatro at Montecasino in February, 2009. Directed by Paul Warwick Griffin with a cast of 40 singer/dancer/actors. Musical direction and conductor was Charl-Johan Lingenfelder. In a first for South Africa, the casting of the two lead roles from the selected performers was undertaken through a national voting process on M-Net TV channel.

2010: The musical was staged by the Port Elizabeth Gilbert & Sullivan Society, directed by Robin Williams.