HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL TO PLAY AT ELLIE CAULKINS OPERA HOUSE

Denver Center Attractions is proud to announce the touring stage version of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL will play The Ellie Caulkins Opera House from July 22 – 27. Presented by Disney Theatrical Productions, the division responsible for smash Broadway hits The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast and Mary Poppins, as well as the Denver-born The Little Mermaid, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL is based on the 2006 Emmy Award-winning Disney Channel Original Movie. Priority seating for HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL is available for groups of 20 or more by calling 303.446.4829. Single ticket on-sale information will be announced at a later date.

This new touring stage adaptation of Disney’s 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. The touring company includes a live orchestra and a cast of 34 professional performers.

Commenting on the announcement, Thomas Schumacher, President and Producer of Disney Theatrical Productions, said, “Our stage version of this great property has been mounted as a direct response to overwhelming demand. As someone who has been passionate about theatre since I was a kid, I am thrilled that we are touring this remarkably popular title as a fully realized stage production, and most certainly introducing countless young people to the world of theatre for the very first time. You can’t ask for more than that.” Schumacher adds, “It is a great joy and privilege for us to be able to produce and present the Disney Channel’s enormously popular property on stage.”

Rich Ross, president, Disney Channel Worldwide, said, "To have the great characters and music from our Disney Channel Original Movie adapted for this professional theatre tour is an honor and we hope it will provide an opportunity to introduce kids to the arts."

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.

The creative team for this new touring stage production of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, in addition to aforementioned director Calhoun, are choreographer Lisa Stevens, scenic designer Kenneth Foy, costume designer Wade Laboissonniere, lighting designer Kenneth Billington, sound designer Duncan Robert Edwards and music supervisor Bryan Louiselle.

Disney’s 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, it 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.

Its 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. Its soundtrack is quadruple Platinum in the U.S., triple Platinum in the UK and many more countries. It 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 cast will reunite for the film titled High School Musical 3: Senior Year, scheduled for a 2008 release in theatres around the world.

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL is an added attraction in Denver Center Attractions’ 2008 season and is generously sponsored by United Airlines. Media sponsorship for DCA is provided by The Denver Post, CBS4 and Colorado Homes & Lifestyles magazine. Denver Center Attractions is supported in part by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District. Please visit our website at www.denvercenter.org.

PERFORMANCE DATES
July 22 – 27, 2008

Tuesday, July 22 7:30pm
Wednesday, July 23 7:30pm
Thursday, July 24 7:30pm
Friday, July 25 7:30pm
Saturday, July 26 2pm & 7:30pm
Sunday, July 27 1pm* & 6:30pm

*The matinee performance on July 27 will be audio described for the blind and ASL-interpreted for the Deaf.