The entire world has been reciting the lyrics to the High School Musical classic ‘We’re All In This Together’ since it first hit our screens back in 2006 and now thanks HAMA Productions, Perth is the lucky state to first welcome back musical theatre post the Coronavirus pandemic. Disney High School Musical On Stage will be hitting Regal Theatre this October school holidays with its infectious celebration of both individualism and togetherness, with a story that says you don’t have to change to be accepted, you just have to be yourself.
The stage performance will run from October 8 to October 11, with both a matinee and evening show at Regal Theatre.
Ms Del Basso (CEO of HAMA Productions) said that the Coronavirus had presented several obstacles, the main one being that lead actor John James O’Hara is in Melbourne. The team are confident O’Hara, playing the role of Coach Bolton, will make it across the boarders for the show. O’Hara played the role as the father of the Wildcat basketball team captain, Troy, in the 2015 HAMA original sell out production.
Ms Del Basso said High School Musical is the ideal production for the difficult times Western Australia is going through.
“Everybody needs a lift and to celebrate how amazing our state has been with the year we’ve had.”
Ms Del Basso said the “we’re all in this together” slogan definitely played a part in her selection of the musical. She says the show demonstrates that love conquers all, get your head in the game, and teamwork makes the dream work.
The other lead in the production, Genevieve Newman plays Ms Darbus, East High’s drama teacher and passionate advocate of the performing arts. Newman has played many roles including “Narrator” in Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, “Anybodys” in West Side Story, “Oolie/Donna” in City of Angels, “Grandma Rose” in The Wedding Singer and was one of the “Silly Girls” in Beauty & the Beast at the Regal Theatre in 2008. Other shows include HMS Pinafore, The Wiz, Grease and The Magic Flute.
An announcement of actors who will play the younger leads of Troy and Gabriella is expected later in the month. Ms Del Basso says the cast number will be held at 65 to enable social distancing at rehearsals and performances.
Outside the challenges presented by the pandemic Ms Del Basso said the biggest theatrical issue was trying to find a cast of males who look like basketballers, who can sing, act, and do Hip Hop. High School Musical is about basketball captain Troy and shy brainiac Gabriella who are passionate about singing and decide to audition for the student musical.
Running Times
Box Office: 2 hours prior
Act 1: 1 hour
Interval: 20 minutes
Act 2: 1 hour 20 minutes
Tour Dates
Thu 8 – Sun 11 Oct 2020
Regal Theatre, Subiaco, WA
If you’re wanting to get your head in the game these school holidays, Disney High School Musical On Stage tickets are on sale now.