MANILA, Philippines—The highly successful Disney Channel TV movie, “High School Musical,” was one of the most popular films of 2006; the soundtrack was a worldwide best seller, and the film’s lead stars, particularly Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, became household names.
The Emmy award-winning movie spawned a sequel the next year, and a third installment is currently in the works.
Part of the film’s appeal lies in its bubblegum pop soundtrack and snappy dance moves. Moping “emo” kids and wannabe rock stars will never be caught dead dancing to tracks such as “We’re All In This Together” or “Bop To The Top,” but there’s no denying that the songs are pure pop magic.
The franchise has become so successful, that in the Philippines alone, audiences enthusiastically received two stage versions of “High School Musical.” And there’s the song-and-dance “HSM: Live!” spectacular that is the current crowd-drawer at Hong Kong Disneyland.
However, the surefire way to indicate a children’s movie’s success is to see if it has been translated to an ice skating show—and this one is no exception.
Fans of the show should definitely not miss “High School Musical: The Ice Tour,” which runs from July 11 to 20 at the Araneta Center. The show, which has already toured around the United States and Europe, features Olympic skaters in an elaborately choreographed spectacle.
Anyone who has seen the film will agree that the dance moves aren’t easy—try dribbling a basketball between your legs while twisting your upper body, and you’ll know what we mean. Then try doing that while perching on a pair of ice skates on a slippery sheet of ice.
“We have recruited some of the world’s most talented skaters to play Troy, Gabriella, Ryan, Sharpay, Chad and Taylor,” said Nicole Feld, one of the show’s producers. “They’ll be heating up the ice by performing chart-topping tunes and signature choreography. With the ice as the dance floor, this show will be an unprecedented twist on a fan favorite.”
The show integrates the first film’s well-loved songs along with new tracks from the sequel, “High School Musical 2.” Even avowed haters of the film (who have to accompany their siblings/nieces/nephews) will find themselves singing along to songs such as, “We’re All in This Together,”
“Get’cha Head in the Game,” “Start of Something New,” “Stick to the Status Quo,” and “When There Was Me And You.” But for sworn fans of High School Musical, the Ice Tour is definitely not one to miss.
Disney’s “High School Musical: The Ice Tour” runs from July 11 to 20 at the Araneta Coliseum. Ticket prices are at P1340, P1100, P900, P640, P350, and P150.
Call Ticketnet at 911-5555 or log on to www.ticketnet.com.ph. Visit www.highschoolmusicaltheicetour-asia.com.
