Big Name, Big Cast, Big Event:

Disney’s High School Musical opens September 14th 

(Seattle, WA) – Seattle Children’s Theatre’s highly anticipated production of Disney’s High School Musical, directed by SCT Artistic Director Linda Hartzell, kicks off SCT’s 2007-08 season on September 14^th, with performances through November 24^th, 2007. 

Based on Disney’s Emmy Award-winning TV movie and adapted for the stage by David Simpatico, Disney’s High School Musical transports audiences to East High and into the story of two clique-crossed lovers: basketball star Troy and brainy new student Gabriella. A chance meeting leads the pair to break free from expectations and try out for the school musical. When the school’s reigning musical diva, Sharpay, and her brother connive to schedule the play’s callbacks for the same time as Troy’s big game and Gabriella’s scholastic decathlon, the whole school works together to find a way to let Troy and Gabriella shine on stage.

Hartzell notes, “this musical is a pitch-perfect look at the social strata of high school, and reminds us that we don’t have to pick and choose aspects of ourselves.  It’s okay to be athletic, artistic and smart all at the same time. And the fantastic pop music will have you singing the whole way home.”

Music direction for SCT’s production will be provided by Mark Rabe, whose local credits include work at Seattle Rep, ACT, Tacoma Actor’s Guild and Civic Light Opera, and whose most recent work with SCT was as Music Director and pianist for Goodnigh, Moon. Rabe and the company will be tackling favorites from the movie like “Get’cha Head in the Game,” “Start of Something New,” and “We’re All In This Together,” as well as two new songs for the stage adaptation, “Counting On You” and “Cellular Fusion.”

With over thirty members, this show boasts the largest-ever cast for an SCT production. Disney’s High School Musical stars Kasey Nusbickel as Gabriella Montez; Jason Kappus as Troy Bolton; Mo Brady as Jack Scott; Sylvie Davidson as Kelsi Neilson; Khanh Doan as Sharpay Evans; Don Darryl Rivera as Ryan Evans; Kat Ramsburg as Taylor McKessie; John Patrick Lowrie as Coach Bolton; Shermona Mitchell as Martha Cox; Jayne Muirhead as Ms. Darbus; Dan Connor as Chad Danforth; and Timothy Wilson as Zeke Baylor. 

SCT’s version of East High is populated with a large ensemble, many of whom were cast in this show before graduating high school and several (marked by an asterisk below) of whom are still high school students. Ensemble members include: Josh Wingerter, Elizabeth Waltzer, Patrick Shelton*, Connor Russell, Mickey Rowe, Shanna Marie Palmer, Becca Orts, Elizabeth Nestlerode, Kailey Mutter, Collin Morris, Caitlin Kinnunen, Carly Hutchison, Meaghan Foy, Jeremy Ellis*, Jadd Davis and Hattie Andres*.

SCT’s Education Department is producing two workshops in support of Disney’s High School Musical: one for teachers intending to bring classes to the production, and another for teaching artists from SCT to take into classrooms. These workshops, and others like them, reflect SCT’s dedication to insure our school-age audiences get the most enriching experience possible.

Disney’s High School Musical is directed by Linda Hartzell. The book is by David Simpatico. Songs are by Matthew Gerrard and Robbie Nevil; Ray Cham, Greg Cham and Andrew Seeley; Randy Petersen and Kevin Quinn; Andy Dodd and Adam Watts; Bryan Louiselle; David N. Lawrence and Faye Greenberg; and Jamie Houston.  The music is adapted, arranged and produced by Bryan Louiselle.  It is based on the Disney Channel Original Movie written by Peter Barsocchini. 

Seattle Children’s Theatre is located at 201 Thomas Street, under the Space Needle at Seattle Center. Tickets for Disney’s High School Musical range in price from $22 to $40 and may be purchased by calling the SCT ticket office at (206) 441-3322 or by visiting www.sct.org. Disney’s High School Musical is recommended for ages 8 and older. 

Seattle Children’s Theatre would like to thank season sponsors Microsoft and Boeing, show sponsor The Bureau of Education & Research, Inc., and season affiliate Target for their generous support.   

Seattle Children’s Theatre celebrates its 33rd season in 2007-2008 and performs September through June in the Charlotte Martin and Eve Alvord Theatres at Seattle Center.  Since its inception, SCT has gained acclaim as a leading producer of theatre, educational programs and new scripts for young people. SCT has presented over 180 plays, 96 of which were world premieres, and entertained over 4 million children.

Directed by Linda Hartzell. Book by David Simpatico. Songs by Matthew Gerrard and Robbie Nevil; Ray Cham, Greg Cham and Andrew Seeley; Randy Petersen and Kevin Quinn; Andy Dodd and Adam Watts; Bryan Louiselle; David N. Lawrence and Faye Greenberg; and Jamie Houston.  Music adapted, arranged and produced by Bryan Louiselle.  Based on the Disney Channel Original Movie written by Peter Barsocchini. 

WHAT:          Seattle Children’s Theatre (SCT) opens its 2007-08 season with Disney’s High School Musical, a musical tale of clique-crossed lovers Troy and Gabriella, based on the Emmy Award-winning Disney Channel Original Movie. 

WHERE:        Seattle Children’s Theatre’s Charlotte Martin Theatre

201 Thomas Street, Seattle (Seattle Center) 

WHEN:          Opening Night – September 14^th, 2007 at 7pm

                        Public Performances – September 15^th through November 24^th, 2007

 (weekdays at 7pm, weekends at 5:30pm, matinees at 2pm –

  please check the website or call the SCT box office for availability)

Target Family Matinee – September 22^nd, 2007 at 2pm

ASL-interpreted Performance – October 13^th, 2007 at 2pm

Family Date Night Dinner – October 12^th, 2007

 (dinner at 5:30pm, performance at 7pm)  

TICKETS:     Tickets range in price from $22 to $40 and may be purchased by calling SCT’s ticket office at (206) 441-3322 or by visiting www.sct.org.

                        Disney’s High School Musical is recommended for ages 8 and older.  

INFO:             Based on Disney’s Emmy Award-winning TV movie and adapted for the stage