Oak Park Newspaper

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, based on the wildly popular Disney Channel Original movie, follows Gabriella, a shy, brainy transfer student, and Troy, the hunky captain of the basketball team as they discover their secret passion for singing. East High’s well established social structure is rocked to its core when Troy and Gabriella no longer “Stick to the Status Quo,” and audition for the school’s winter musical. The culmination of the resulting twists and turns is a singing and dancing extravaganza where the students of East High proudly proclaim, “We’re All in This Together!” HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL boasts a quadruple platinum soundtrack filled with hits like: “Breaking Free,” “What I’ve Been Looking For,” and “Start of Something New.”

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL is the most successful movie that Disney Channel Original Movie ever produced. The film’s DVD release sold 1.2 million copies in its first six days, making it the fastest selling television movie of all time. In 2007, the soundtrack made it into the Guinness World Records for "Most hits from a soundtrack in the U.S. Chart simultaneously.” Nine tracks were in the U.S. Hot 100 at the same time, a world first. High School Musical 2 was the highest-rated Disney Channel Movie to date at the time of its airing and High School Musical 3: Senior Year currently holds the record for the highest-grossing movie musical in its opening weekend, earning over $80,000,000 worldwide.

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL stars Max Quinlan as Troy Bolton and Summer Naomi Smart as Gabriella Montez. The cast also includes Elana Ernst as Sharpay Evans, Sean Michael Hunt as Ryan Evans, Brandon Koller as Chad Danforth, Caitlainne Rose Guerreri as Taylor McKessie, Jonathan Weir as Coach Bolton, Rebecca Finnegan as Ms. Darbus, Natalie Berg as Kelsi Neilson, Nina Fluke as Martha Cox, Jackson Evans as Jack Scott, Travis Turner as Zeke Baylor, and Zach Zube as Ripper.

Joining Rachel Rockwell as Director and Choreographer are Jesse Klug (Lighting Designer), Erika Senase (Costume Manager), Brad Gonda (Technical Director), Kristin Ligeski (Wardrobe Supervisor), Jeff Dublinske (Sound Engineer) and Sophia Briones (Props Master). Kristi Martens is Stage Manager.

The performance schedule for HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL is Tuesdays through Saturdays at 10 a.m. with select performances at noon, 1 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Please call 630.530.0111 or visit www.DruryLaneOakbrook.com for the exact schedule, as some show times and dates may vary. In addition to a performance from a cast of top Chicago actors, Drury Lane Oakbrook Terrace offers families the special opportunity to have breakfast or dinner with them on select performance dates. Featuring a festive buffet style menu complete with traditional favorites, these events are a wonderful way to introduce children to the arts. Tickets for all shows are $10, excluding tax and handling fees. Group rates available for groups of 20 or more. Free parking is available at all performances.
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