High School Musical on Stage!
Musical
Writers:David Simpatico Matthew Gerrard Robbie Nevil Ray Cham Greg Cham Drew Seeley Randy Petersen Kevin Quinn Andy Dodd Adam Watts Bryan Louiselle Faye Greenberg Jamie Houston David N. Lawrence
Overview
Synopsis
Disney’s High School Musical on Stage! centers on the blossoming relationship between Troy, a high school jock, and Gabriella, the new smart girl at school. They meet on a family vacation and become attracted to each other while singing in a karaoke competition. Rediscovering each other at school, their relationship and their surprise decision to audition together for the school show are thwarted by the school’s current leading lady, Sharpay, and Troy and Gabriella’s well-meaning friends. Finally, Gabriella and Troy find a way to be themselves and are rewarded with the lead roles in the school show. Full of catchy songs and exciting dance routines, Disney’s High School Musical on Stage! explores issues of friendship, first love, and acceptance.
Show Information
- Book
- David Simpatico
- Music
- Matthew Gerrard , Robbie Nevil , Ray Cham , Greg Cham , Drew Seeley , Randy Petersen , Kevin Quinn , Andy Dodd , Adam Watts , Bryan Louiselle , Faye Greenberg , Jamie Houston , David N. Lawrence
- Arrangement
- Bryan Louiselle
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2007
- Genres
- Comedy, Romance
- Settings
- Contemporary, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- east high school, contemporary
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- Heavy
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- Mostly Male Cast, Includes Late Teen, Early Teen, Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters, Large Cast
Context
High School Musical on Stage! evolved out of the Disney Channel’s made-for-cable movie, High School Musical (2006), and was adapted for the stage by the original writers David Simpatico and Bryan Louiselle. The original film was watched by over 7.7 million viewers on the Disney Channel, and it was swiftly followed by High School Musical 2 (2007), and High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008). The “High School Musical: The Concert” tour also ran from November 2006 - January 2007, touring
to read the context for High School Musical on Stage! and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
The scene opens on the steps of East High as the school gathers to celebrate the first day back after winter break. The cheerleading squad perform and the cliques (jocks, thespians, brainiacs, and skater dudes) gather together (“Wildcat Cheer”). Troy Bolton, the basketball team’s leader, and Chad Danforth, his number two, celebrate the start of the season while twins Sharpay and Ryan Evans make a flamboyant entrance. Taylor McKessie enters with the rest of the brainiacs and mocks
to read the plot for High School Musical on Stage! and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Ensemble |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
Act One
*Wildcat Cheer - Cheerleaders, Company
Start of Something New - Troy, Gabriella, Company
*Get'cha Head in the Game - Troy, Jocks
*Get'cha Head in the Game (Reprise) - Troy, Jocks
*Auditions(Bop to the Top/What I’ve Been Looking For) - Thespians, Ms. Darbus
*What I've Been Looking For - Ryan, Sharpay
What I've Been Looking For (Reprise) - Troy, Gabriella
Cellular Fusion - Taylor, Chad, Martha, Zeke, Kelsi, Sharpay, Ryan, Company
*Stick to the Status Quo - Ryan, Sharpay, Zeke, Martha, Ripper, Company
Act Two
I Can't Take My Eyes Off of You - Troy, Gabriella
*Wildcat Cheer (Reprise) - Cheerleaders
*Counting on You - Chad, Taylor, Martha, Zeke, Jocks, Brainiacs, Troy, Gabriella
When There Was Me and You - Troy, Gabriella, Company
Start of Something New (Reprise) - Troy, Gabriella
*We're All in This Together - Kelsi, Chad, Taylor, Jocks, Brainiacs
*Bop to the Top - Ryan, Sharpay, Taylor, Thespians, Brainiacs
*Breaking Free - Troy, Gabriella, Company
*We're All in This Together (Reprise) - Company
*Megamix - Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher