ANAHEIM, CA. (Top40 Charts/ Disney Channel) - The biggest splash of the summer, the world premiere of Disney Channel's highly-anticipated High School Musical 2, will be hosted at AMC Theatres in Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort on Tuesday, August 14.
It will be the latest highlight of the ongoing Year of a Million Dreams celebration at the Resort, and the newest chapter in the unparalleled worldwide popularity of High School Musical. The phenomenon has even extended into Disney's California Adventure, where High School Musical has jumped out into the park as a live show.
Stars of the movie, along with director-choreographer Kenny Ortega and other celebrity guests will walk the carpet in Downtown Disney prior to the 6:00pm screening. Following the Downtown Disney festivities, they will attend an invitation-only poolside party at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. High School Musical 2 follows other high-profile premieres hosted at the Disneyland Resort, including all three Pirates of the Caribbean films. This will mark the first time a movie made especially for Disney Channel has been premiered at the Resort.
Kids, tweens and families have found the first movie's appealing music, charismatic cast and high-energy dancing irresistible. Rich Ross, president of Disney Channel Worldwide, said, "What better way to celebrate this movie than to have its world premiere screening at the happiest place on earth!"
The music and spirited fun of the High School Musical movie have been entertaining park guests throughout the current Year of a Million Dreams celebration at Disneyland Resort in Southern California and Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. During live daily performances of the High School Musical Pep Rally, an interactive sing-along street show, guests have been catching Wildcat fever as they learn lively cheers and cool dance moves from the hit movie's popular songs. And inspired by the sequel, a brand new High School Musical 2: School's Out! show will spring to life in Disney's California Adventure beginning Saturday, August 18.
"We've seen the amazing popularity of High School Musical firsthand as our guests enthusiastically participate in the Pep Rally," said Ed Grier, President of the Disneyland Resort. "Needless to say, High School Musical 2 now brings new opportunities for our guests to further engage in the High School Musical phenomenon."
Reprising their singing and dancing roles in the movie sequel are: Zac Efron as star athlete Troy Bolton, Vanessa Hudgens as brainy transfer student Gabriella Montez, Ashley Tisdale as drama club diva Sharpay Evans, Lucas Grabeel as her brother and on-stage partner Ryan Evans, Corbin Bleu as teammate and best friend Chad Danforth and Monique Coleman as academic decathlete Taylor McKessie. Also returning are Alyson Reed as Ms. Darbus, Chris Warren, Jr. as Zeke Baylor, Olesya Rulin as Kelsi Nielsen, KayCee Stroh as Martha Cox, Ryne Sanborn as Jason and Bart Johnson as Coach Bolton. Mark L. Taylor joins the cast as the country club manager, Mr. Fulton.
In the contemporary movie musical High School Musical 2, the Wildcats are back. This time, school's out and East High School hoops star Troy Bolton, A-student Gabriella Montez and the rest of the Wildcats are getting ready for a fun summer vacation. But that all changes when scheming drama queen Sharpay Evans uses her dad's connections to get Troy a job at Lava Springs, their ritzy country club, and a chance at a college basketball scholarship. The catch? He'll have to turn his back on his friends and pair up with Sharpay in a musical extravaganza for the club's annual talent show. But when Gabriella and the Wildcats start making plans without Troy, he must decide where his loyalties truly lie.
High School Musical 2, part of the blockbuster Disney Channel Original Movie franchise, premieres Friday, August 17 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel U.S., and will be featured Saturday and Sunday, August 18 and 19, in online and on-air programming events hosted by the movie's cast. It will also premiere on Disney Channels around the world beginning in September.
Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family inclusive television network that taps into the world of kids and families through original series and movies. Currently available on basic cable in over 90 million U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on 27 Disney Channels around the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney-ABC Television Group.
Disneyland Resort features two spectacular theme parks - Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and Disney's California Adventure - plus the Downtown Disney district comprised of unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences. Resort hotels include the luxurious 745-room Disney's Grand Californian Hotel, the magical 990-room Disneyland Hotel and the "day at the beach" fun of the 502-room Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel. For Resort information call (714) 781-4565.
