High School Musical Set for West End Run

[Not Barker, Todd.]

Posted: 1/28/08 at 2:55pm

http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Story.aspx?ci=559707

"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 Theatre on June 30 after a 31-date U.K. tour. Jeff Calhoun, who staged the U.S. national tour of High School Musical that began life at Atlanta's Theatre of the Stars a year ago, will direct the West End production.

. . . . . .

The 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 hit singles "Breaking Free" and "We're All In This Together," plus two new numbers. In addition to Calhoun, the creative team will includes the U.S. production's choreographer, Lisa Stevens."

I hate to say this, but this just confirms my opinion about the state of material on the West End.

[fnyboi88]

Posted: 1/28/08 at 2:58pm

I believe this has been known for some time now.

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 1/28/08 at 3:19pm

That's great news!

[musicalmaster703]

Posted: 1/28/08 at 4:05pm

i hope ur kidding

[TsLondon08]

Posted: 1/28/08 at 4:44pm

The tours apparently the most profitable tour ever done in the UK!
At least its only clogging up the Hammersmith Apollo, its not really a westend theater.

Its nowadays only used for concerts etc. A 6 week musical run has not been done there for years.

I think the last musical to do a long run there was Dr Dolittle.

[Trekkie2]

Posted: 1/28/08 at 5:19pm

Um...
Ewwwwwwwwwwwww.

[BlueWindSadness]

Posted: 1/28/08 at 6:05pm

well...GO WILDCATS!....i guess....


What is happening to musical theater? whatever happened to the Show Boats and South Pacifics? Apparently no one writes classics anymore...its more long the lines of "were soaring,flying,theres not star in heaven that we cant reach..."

wonderful.

[jordangirl]

Posted: 1/28/08 at 6:08pm

Yeah... I talked with my dad over the weekend ~ he and Mom ushered the tour at Tennessee Performing Arts Center. His words were "It's cute."

At that point I stopped worrying about what to take them to see the next time they're here. Fluff will be fine apparently.

[Mood_Indigo]

Posted: 1/28/08 at 6:09pm

Every composer who has ever written a good musical just rolled over in their grave...even the ones that are still alive.
Updated On: 1/28/08 at 06:09 PM

[george95]

Posted: 1/28/08 at 8:23pm

You know what as much as I think Disney is the root of all evil, I can't complain too much specifically about this show because I get so annoyed when people get too snobby about Phantom,
HOWEVER...............
If HSM came to Broadway, while it would encourage more young theater go-ers to try Broadway, I wonder if it would also predisposition them to expect theater to be a sugary treat and nothing more.
I'm not say all shows have to be like August:Osage County, but let's just hope that all the parents and teachers out there who take kids to see HSM will say "guess what guys next week we're going to see a non-Disney show!"

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 1/28/08 at 8:45pm

"The tours apparently the most profitable tour ever done in the UK!"

Thats not even close to true lol, and the tour only opened tonight

Its hardly a big run for London either 10 weeks, its not really a West End Theatre either

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 1/28/08 at 8:50pm

Updated On: 5/8/09 at 08:50 PM

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 1/28/08 at 8:56pm

yes we thank you for High School Musical *loads gun and aims at head* lol

[broadwayboy522]

Posted: 1/28/08 at 9:12pm

I hate High School Musical but I saw the original version when it premiered in Atlanta. If it will be anything like that production then you'll be fine! The production that's touring the country is great! If some production of High School Musical ever went to broadway I hope it would be that one.