High School Musical - Getting Started

So as recently posted, First Stage has announced plans to stage "High School Musical" in the Fall of 2007, and I've been asked to direct the show.

I've just received the perusal script, and as expected, they've made some minor changes in the show to adapt it for the stage - but the changes take nothing away from the story. It still includes the same songs, with a few added to round things out. It also expands the roles of many of the supporting characters - always a good thing - and adds at least one new character to help hold the story together.

So the first job is to establish a team. So far, I've signed up three of the area's best. Mark Smith, one of the area's most talented musicians, has agreed to be the Music Director and Orchestra Leader (if you've seen a local theatre performance with live music, chances are good that he was playing in it and probably leading the orchestra at the same time). Jack Welch, the master of the circular saw, has agreed to head up the Set Construction team. And for the job of Producer, I've managed to track down the woman who is, in my humble opinion, simply the best Producer ever - my wife, Jeanette. I know, you think I'm prejudiced - but she really is great at managing the zillion-and-one details of putting on a show.

We still need to sign up a Choreographer. I've offered the job to a certain someone who is great at it, but haven't heard back yet. Once that's settled, the planning can begin.