Photo Flash: HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL Comes To West Virginia Public Theatre 7/8-12 And 7/15-19

Executive Producer Ron Iannone is excited to announce the West Virginia Public Theatre debut of the global musical phenomenon Disney’s High School Musical live on the stage of the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre in the WVU Creative Arts Center from July 8th through July 12th and July 15th through July 19th.  This hit movie-turned-musical is a modern Romeo and Juliet story about two high school juniors from rival cliques: Troy Bolton, captain of the basketball team, and Gabriella Montez, a beautiful and shy transfer student who excels in math and science.  Together, they try out for the lead parts in their high school musical, and as a result, divide the school. Despite other students' attempts to thwart their dreams, Troy and Gabriella resist peer pressure and rivalry, inspiring others along the way not to "stick with the status quo."

Playing basketball star Troy Bolton is Brian Hissong who, in his young career, has been featured as Tony on the International tour of West Side Story and at the Papermill Playhouse.  Hissong’s love interest, Gabriella, will be played by Heidi Giberson who was most recently seen as Glinda in WVPT’s production of The Wizard of Oz.  Co-starring as the antagonizing brother/sister team, Sharpay and Ryan Evans, are Natalie Bradshaw from the Las Vegas and National Tour of the hit Broadway musical Jersey Boys and Hunter Herlicka (Malcolm in WVPT’s The Full Monty).  Bridgeport resident and National/International tour veteran Cindy Timms returns to the WVPT stage as the drama teacher, Mrs. Darbus.  Timms’ daughter, Chiara Pulice, will also be featured.

Completing the cast are actors from around the country including an ensemble consisting of numerous local performers including: Katy Koval, Jeron Amoroso, Bethany Goff, Meghan Watson, Benjamin DeFazio, Dennis Gallagher, and MaryJoanna Grisso.

High School Musical is an Emmy Award-winning American television film, which was first released on January 20, 2006.  Since then it has become the most successful movie that Disney Channel Original Movie ever produced with a television sequel High School Musical 2 released in 2007 and the feature film High School Musical 3: Senior Year released to theaters in October 2008. It is the first Disney Channel Original Movie to have a theatrical sequel. A fourth installment, High School Musical 4, has been announced to be in the writing stages.  The film's soundtrack was the best-selling album in the United States for 2006. High School Musical was Disney Channel's most watched movie that year with 7.7 million viewers in its premiere broadcast in the US.  High School Musical features such memorable numbers as “Bop to the Top” and “We’re All in this Together.”

High School Musical is directed by Broadway veteran Joe Deer who makes his WVPT debut.  Deer’s credits includes Guys and Dolls, Anything Goes, and The American Dance Machine on Broadway.  This production is choreographed by WVPT alum Chris Saunders with Musical Direction by Morgantown resident and long-time WVPT musical director Brian K. Moats.

High School Musical runs Wednesday, July 8th through Sunday, July 12th and Wednesday, July 15th through Sunday, July 19th with performances on Wednesday thru Saturday at 8:00PM and 2:00 PM matinees on Wednesday and Sunday.  The season continues with Doubt, A Parable: July 14—July 19; The Wedding Singer: July 21—July 26; Fiddler on the Roof: July 28—August 2; and Cats: August 4—August 9.

Three show packages and family packages are available along with single tickets.  Discounts for students and children are also available. Special “Anniversary Day” tickets are available for $15.00 on opening nights and $20.00 RUSH tickets are available for all other performances two hours prior to curtain.  For tickets, call (304) 291-4122 (or toll free at 1-877-999-WVPT) or visit the WVPT box office in the WVU Creative Arts Center between 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday; Saturdays 12:00PM-5:00PM; Sundays 12:00PM-4:00PM.  WVPT performs at the WVU Creative Arts Center, which is air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible.  More information can be obtained from WVPT’s website: www.wvpublictheatre.com.

Heidi Giberson

Natalie Bradshaw

Brian Hissong

Cindy Timms