Press Release

 

03 November 2008

High School Musical Coming to Tasmania

The stage version of High School Musical, the international show based on the original Disney Channel movie, is coming to Tasmania in May 2009, the Minister for Tourism, Michelle O’Byrne, announced today.

Ms O’Byrne said High School Musical - Live on Stage! was an exciting full-scale stage musical, and would tour Australia next year, including Hobart on its itinerary.

The musical, which is being co-produced by Jacobsen Presents and The Really Useful Company Asia Pacific, will be performed at the Derwent Entertainment Centre.

“The last tour of this scale to visit Tasmania was Grease - Live on Stage, which was10 years ago,” Ms O’Byrne said. 

“This event will bring many benefits to Tasmania including the opportunity to entice Melbourne based theatre lovers here for our season, which will occur before their own, and the further positioning of Tasmania as a culturally vibrant destination.

“Tasmanian tourism will also benefit from the show’s tour through partnership marketing opportunities with their interstate and international networks and promotional campaigns.

“Importantly, the tour has the potential to open channels for other promoters to tour to Tasmania with their big shows.”

Ms O’Byrne said the UK version of the show opened in January 2008 and recorded sell-out shows.

“The dates for the show’s seasons beyond Sydney, Canberra and Adelaide have not yet been made public, but the organisers plan to make an announcement soon. 

“People wanting to be among the first to learn about Hobart’s season dates can register on hsmliveonstage.com.au

“The State Government, through Tourism Tasmania, is proud to have been involved in helping bring a show like this to our state,” Ms O’Byrne said.

“The show will not only provide great entertainment but make a real contribution to the state’s economy.
  
“This comes from the event’s own pre-production expenditure and the estimated 40 per cent of patrons who are expected to travel to Hobart for the show.

“We look forward to more updates about the tour in the very near future.”

Further information:

Rohan Wade (03) 6336 2443 or 0417 051 255