North Carolina Theatre announces the regional premiere of Disney’s High School Musical 2, presented by Capital Bank.

The story picks up where High School Musical left off, following Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, Ryan and the rest of the East High gang as they dive into cool summer jobs at lava springs country club. The club’s annual talent show is around the corner and Troy agrees to sing with Sharpay. The drama unfolds between Troy and Gabriella as they wonder if their love will survive the summer break. High School Musical 2 is packed with high-energy dance numbers and the songs you know and love from the movie – like “All For One,” “Fabulous” and “You Are The Music In Me.”

When auditions rolled around for the second installment of the Disney franchise at Crabtree Valley Mall in February 2009, over 180 teens showed up. After four rounds of local auditions and auditions in New York City, the cast of characters is set with the cream of the crop. Fifty talented local youth performers and rising stars of New York City will unite on the Raleigh Memorial stage and rock the house night after night in June.

No matter what part each cast member plays, they all have the unique privilege of working with North Carolina Theatre artistic director and director of Disney’s High School Musical 2, Casey Hushion. Hushion has directed 14 shows for North Carolina Theatre including Phantom, Chess, The Wizard of Oz, The King and I starring Lou Diamond Phillips and Jekyll and Hyde starring Sebastian Bach. Outside of her North Carolina Theatre duties, Hushion is the Assistant Director of In The Heights, winner of four Tony Awards® including Best Musical, currently running on Broadway.

Hushion gives some insight on casting and the local talent pool in Raleigh: “Usually, this kind of production would be done with professional adult actors playing high school kids. With the remarkable talent pool we have here, we were able to cast over 30 local high school aged kids to be in the show. They just blew me away… they are going to make something very special of this production and they could blow the roof off the place!”

It’s 2 good 2 pass up this feel-good, family-friendly show!

Visit our website at nctheatre.com or call our box office at 919-831-6941 x6944

WIN THE CHANCE TO BE ON STAGE WITH TROY AND GABRIELLA!! Purchase a ticket to Disney's High School Musical 2 and you could be a Wildcat on stage for one performance!! North Carolina Theatre will announce a winner each week, now through June 4. Kristin Buie, Communications Manager, will meet the winner and walk them back stage, where they will be hooked up with a cast member for their North Carolina Theatre stage debut!