Who Will GMTV Choose for High School’s Troy???Date: 5 May 2009 A nationwide search to find the next Troy Bolton to star in High School Musical 2 Live on Stage! is in its final stages (See News, 2 Mar 2009). Three finalists – Ian McIntosh (aged 20) from Great Yarmouth, Liam Doyle (18) from Coventry and James Lacey (20) from Liverpool – are battling it out each morning this week, reality-TV style, on GMTV. The competition was launched three weeks ago on the morning chat show. So far there have been open auditions, call-backs and final auditions in front of the musical’s producer and choreographer, who whittled down the last eight to three. Now it's down to the GMTV audience to watch all three finalists perform this week and vote online on Thursday (7 May) to decide who will play Zac Efron's screen part in the stage sequel. The winner will be announced on GMTV on Friday (8 May). High School Musical 2 receives its UK premiere at New Wimbledon Theatre on 22 August 2009 before embarking on a four-and-a-half month regional tour. As with the series’ original screen-to-stage crossover, it has a book by David Simpatico (adapted from the original movie script by Peter Barsocchini), and is directed by Jeff Calhoun, with scenic design by Kenneth Foy and choreography by Lisa Stevens. The score features all the songs from the film soundtrack, including “What Time Is It?”, “You Are the Music in Me” and “Fabulous”. School’s out and the East High Wildcats need summer jobs! Troy, Gabriella, Taylor and Chad all land work at an exclusive country club, but it’s not going to be an easy ride as Ryan and Sharpay are vacationing there too. The scheming siblings, whose family owns the club, make it their mission to stir things up. The action builds to the club’s all-important Midsummer Night’s Talent Show, but will the Wildcats be ready in time? For more information on the GMTV competition, including audition video clips, visit the GMTV website. Got some goss? Contact gossip@whatsonstage.comRelated Content

Reader Comments
| Comment | Date | | It's Liam Doyle. I'm not sure what to make of it. - lovepigeon | 08 May 09 |
| | james lacey. he is the best singer and really felt the song too. just because the other one looks more like zac efron isn't a reason to choose - N | 07 May 09 |
| | James Lacey to get the part of troy.Has a great singing voice and great determination.I hope he gets the part.Good luck!! - H | 07 May 09 |
| | James Lacey is fantastic.I was struck with his maturity,and his perspective on life mirrored by the song,which expressed himself,I feel,and by his ability to focus totally on his goal.His sights were set and nothing was going to deter him.He will be totally dedicated.Pity the medical profession has lost him however,but I gope the theatrical profession gaind him - Beryl Moorehead | 07 May 09 |
| | liam doyle!!!!!! - Georgie | 07 May 09 |
| | I think James Lacey, because he is a good singer and i think he would be good to take over Troy. - Poppy | 07 May 09 |
| | i think Liam Doyle (18) sould go throu because he looks like troy and he sings like troy - mollie | 07 May 09 |
| | thought both boys are very good pity they cantall go through - marg | 06 May 09 |
|
|
|
Free Newsletter
|
Subscribe to our free newsletter
|
|
Featured Editor's Picks
 | Infographic: The economic impact of Arts & Culture in the UK When Culture Secretary Maria Miller called for the arts to make their "economic case" for subsidy, t... |
|  | Plays Cast: Harry Potter star in Southwark Moment, more for Branagh's Macbeth Bonnie Wright, best known for playing Ginny Weasley in the Harry Potter films, will make her stage d... |
|  | Brief Encounter with ... The Kite Runner's Ben Turner Ben Turner stars in the stage version of the bestselling book The Kite Runner, which runs at Liverpo... |
|  | Titus Andronicus (RSC)
   This latest production of Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus, to borrow from football punditry, is a p... |
|  | Michael Coveney: Charity begins at home with John Lyon's I've occasionally written about the work of the John Lyon's Charity, for whom I'm an adviser, and wh... |
|  | Take Five: Britain's outdoor theatres With half-term approaching, the weather (hopefully) set to improve for the bank holiday weekend and ... |
|  | West End Live returns to Trafalgar Square next month West End Live, a weekend of free entertainment from top London shows, will return to Trafalgar Squar... |
|  | Robert Sean Leonard: 'I carry the ghost of Gregory Peck on my shoulders' Actor Robert Sean Leonard is currently playing Atticus Finch in Timothy Sheader's production of To K... |
|  | X Factor musical titled I Can't Sing!, opens Palladium March 2014 The forthcoming X Factor musical will be called I Can't Sing! The Musical and will premiere at the L... |
|  | Donmar stages Nick Payne premiere, Wesker's Roots & Tom Hiddleston in Coriolanus The Donmar Warehouse has announced its new season, which features the premiere of Nick Payne's new p... |
|
|