Who Will GMTV Choose for High School’s Troy???

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.