The Nashville engagement of Disney's High School Musical will open at TPAC on Tuesday, Jan. 22, for a limited engagement of eight performances through Jan. 27.

“I first saw Disney's High School Musical in Chicago, and was surprised and delighted to see kids of all ages, both boys and girls, on the edges of their seats in anticipation for the show to begin,” said Kathleen O’Brien, TPAC’s president and chief executive officer. “This show is an absolute phenomenon that has achieved the approval of both parents and kids alike."

This new touring stage adaptation of Disney's High School Musical is directed by Jeff Calhoun (Big River). Disney's 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 talented performers.

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 Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical premiered on Disney Channel U.S. on Jan. 20, 2006 and posted the highest ratings for a Disney Channel Original Movie up until that time. It went on to become a hit internationally and, in 2006, aired on 26 Disney Channels and free-to-air broadcasters worldwide, reaching over 100 million viewers in over 100 countries. 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 soon, Paris, a sold-out 42 date arena concert tour in North America and soon, Latin America, starring most of the cast, and a touring ice show. 

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.  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. Walt Disney Studios announced it will develop a feature film based on the movie for release in 2008.

Tickets for Disney's High School Musical range from $23-69, depending on performance time and seat location. Tickets are available by visiting www.tpac.org/disneyshighschoolmusical, the TPAC Box Office (Downtown or at Davis-Kidd Booksellers in The Mall at Green Hills) or any Ticketmaster outlet. 

Discounts for student groups of 10 or more, and other groups of 20 or more are available by calling 615-782-4060. Priority seating is available to subscribers of the 2007-2008 HCA/TriStar Broadway at TPAC season by calling 615-782-6560.