HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL – At the Orpheum, April 15th – 27th
14 April 2008Stage version features two new songs
By Seán Martinfield
Sentinel Fine Arts Critic
Photo by Lynn Imanaka
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL plays the Orpheum Theatre April 15th – 27th. The popular stage production is based on the 2006 Emmy Award-winning Disney Channel Original Movie. HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL will be a special engagement of the 2007-2008 Citibank Best of Broadway season, under the direction of Carole Shorenstein Hays.
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL – Production photos by Joan Marcus
Disney’s “High School Musical” is a contemporary musical comedy about a popular high school basketball star and a shy, academically gifted newcomer who discover they share a secret passion for singing. When they sign up together to audition for the lead roles in the school musical, it threatens East High’s rigid social order and sends their peers into 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, however, the couple inspires other students to go public with some surprising hidden talents of their own.
This new touring stage adaptation of “High School Musical” is directed by Jeff Calhoun (Big River). “High School Musical” features a book by David Simpatico (adapted from the original movie script by Peter Barsocchini), and a score including all the songs from the original soundtrack plus two new songs written especially for the stage.
ELLEN HARVEY (Ms. Darbus) and JOHN JEFFREY MARTIN (Troy Bolton) & ARIELLE
JACOBS (Gabriella Montez)
“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, thus far 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, “High School Musical” won two Emmy Awards, a DGA Award, 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. The 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 total viewers around the world. That soundtrack is quadruple Platinum in the U.S., triple Platinum in the UK and many more countries and recently won an American Music Award.
Walt Disney Studios will begin production on a feature film based on the movie. Kenny Ortega will direct and choreograph and the original cast will reunite for the film, scheduled for a 2008 release in theatres around the world.
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL – Science Class
To order tickets on-line: HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL
Visit Seán on YouTube: Lorena Feijóo - A Look at “Giselle” with Seán Martinfield
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Seán Martinfield is a native San Franciscan. He is a Theatre Arts Graduate from San Francisco State University, a professional singer, and well-known private vocal coach to Bay Area actors and singers of all ages and persuasions. His clients have appeared in Broadway National Tours including Wicked, Aïda, Miss Saigon, Rent, Bye Bye Birdie, in theatres and cabarets throughout the Bay Area, and are regularly featured in major City events including Diva Fest, Gay Pride, and Halloween In The Castro. As an Internet consultant in vocal development and audition preparation he has published thousands of responses to those seeking his advice concerning singing techniques, professional and academic auditions, and careers in the Performing Arts. Mr. Martinfield’s Broadway clients have all profited from his vocal methodology, “The Belter’s Method”, which is being prepared for publication. If you want answers about your vocal technique, post him a question on AllExperts.com. If you would like to build up your vocal performance chops and participate in the Bay Area’s rich theatrical scene, e-mail him at: sean.martinfield@gmail.com.
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