Who knew that a musical about a bunch of high school kids discovering their hidden talents and skills would eventually turn into one of Disney's most lucrative franchises?  That's exactly what has happened with High School Musical. From the very first made for television movie, High School Musical has snowballed into a multi-media cash cow for the Disney empire.

Beyond the two High School Musical TV movies, the High School Musical franchise has broken into ice skating extravaganzas, theme park numbers and now, a traveling stage version whose ticket sales indicate another smash hit for Disney.

High School Musical On Tour kicks off its series of performances at the Baltimore Hippodrome tonight.  The stage version of the franchise is set to run there until March 2.

To date, around 50 drama programs in Maryland have secured the licensing rights to High School Musical On Stage.  Among them are 17 high schools, 15 elementary and junior high schools, a couple of colleges and several community theaters.

In Northern America, High School Musical for the stage has been licensed more than 2,500 times all over Canada and the United States.  Rights to its performances have also been secured 1,000 times in various areas all over the world.

"Since [High School Musical] has only been available for about a year, this is truly a phenomenon," James Merillat, marketing director of the New York-based Music Theatre International, said.  Music Theatre International manages the rights for more than 300 shows, issuing licenses and theatrical resources to professional and amateur theaters around the globe.

"The big musicals are expensive to license, but the investment in High School Musical is well worth it because you get several times back what you put into it," Angela Germanos, drama director at Severna Park, commented.  Germanos reportedly shelled out $8,000 for the right to stage eight shows at Severna Park in late 2006, and wound up grossing a school-record $30,000.


-Rosario Santiago, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Baltimore Sun
(Image Courtesy of Disney)