Home > Theater Reviews > Archives > 2008 > February > 21 > Entry
‘High School Musical 2’ to get stage premiere in Atlanta
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Theater of the Stars has got is head in the game of Disney’s “High School Musical” — again.
Last year, the Atlanta producer mounted the first professional stage version of the tween phenomenon. Disney liked the show so much they sent it out on a national tour.
Now Theater of the Stars is taking on Part Two of the story of squeaky clean Troy and Gabriella and thespian villains Ryan and Sharpay. In November, the Atlanta producer will unveil the world premiere of “High School Musical 2” at the Fox Theatre.
And there’s more: In August, the national tour of “High School Musical” will play its final engagements at the Fox Theatre, where it was born in January 2007.
“We are calling it the reunion, but basically it’s going to be the final stop of the tour,” Theater of the Stars managing director Nick Manos said.
Tickets for the entire season are on sale now. Single tickets generally go on sale about six weeks before each show.
Earlier this year, the theater announced that it would stage the first post-Broadway production of Disney’s “Tarzan” in early 2009 and bring the national tour of “The Color Purple” to Atlanta during this summer’s National Black Arts Festival.
“Disney Theatrical Productions is thrilled to continue their association with Theater of the Stars,” Steve Fickinger, Disney Theatricals’ vice president for licensing, said via email from Europe.
“After launching the global success of ‘High School Musical’ onstage in Atlanta, I’m certain that in Chris and Nick Manos’ hands, we can look forward to two more spectacular productions.” (Chris and Nick Manos are the father-and-son team behind Theater of the Stars.)
Both Nick Manos and Fickinger were in Glasgow, Scotland, this week for the inauguration of the United Kingdom tour of “High School Musical.”
As for mounting a U.S. tour of the upcoming “High School Musical 2,” Fickinger said, “[That] is not in our game plan at this time.”
Theater of the Stars’ full season:
“Mamma Mia!”: The Abba musical returns in a co-production with Broadway Across America, Atlanta. (June 10-15).
“Oklahoma!”: A new production with the original choreography of Agnes De Mille. (June 24-29).
“The Color Purple”: The national tour of the Broadway musical that premiered at Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre in 2004. July 15-Aug. 3.
“High School Musical”: — Aug. 15-24.
“Les Miserables”: This new production will draw its design inspiration from the art of author Victor Hugo. Sept. 19-28.
“High School Musical 2”: — World premiere. Nov. 7-16.
“Tarzan”: Jan. 15-25.
“Stomp”: Jan. 27-Feb. 1.
For more information: theaterofthestars.com, 404-252-8960.
Comments