Hit musical coming to SA
2008-05-23 10:50
Birgit Ottermann
Cape Town - Get ready for a musical revolution in South Africa. Disney's hit show High School Musical is coming to our shores and the search is on for SA's own Troy and Gabriella.
M-Net's Head of Original Productions, Carl Fischer broke the news to the media at a special press conference held in Johannesburg on Thursday.
"M-Net is proud to have secured the most powerful international musical phenomenon of the decade as a unique and original reality series," an excited Fischer said.
"We're offering our viewers the chance to find South Africa's own Troy and Gabriella for the up-coming stage show. The format is fresh and vibrant and should provide great entertainment for the whole family."
According to Fischer, M-Net is the first broadcaster to produce a reality show in partnership with Disney after the success of the High School Musical franchise.
The press conference, aptly held in the school hall of Holy Family College in Johannesburg's Parktown, was opened with an energetic performance of High School Musical highlights by dancers and singers from Holy Family College and some surrounding schools.
Talent scouts
Starting this June, High School Musical: Spotlight South Africa will scour the country to audition talented young singer-dancer-actors, aged 16-25.
"We will have open audition days in Port Elizabeth, Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg, but we will also have talent scouts visiting approximately 500 school around the country to make sure we don't miss out on any talent," Lani Lombard, M-Net's Publicity Chief, told News24.
Forty contestants will be chosen to participate in the elimination rounds of this brand new reality series format.
Disney will be closely involved in the competition and the top male and female singer will not only get the chance to sing the lead roles of Troy and Gabriella in the South African stage production of High School Musical, but there's also a good chance that their new musical careers could turn them into the latest international musical stars.
For those who have not yet been initiated into the world's latest musical phenomenon by their kids or nieces and nephews, High School Musical is a modern day version of Grease.
International superstars
It's the story about two high school juniors from rival cliques who get to sing the lead roles in their high school's musical.
It's filled with show-stopping tunes and great dancing and has made international superstars of its young cast members, notably Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens who played the leads, Troy and Gabriella.
"Ask any child or teen in South Africa about High School Musical, and they will surprise you with all the lyrics and latest dance moves of the show," said Fischer.
The Disney Channel smash hit movie has taken the world by storm with a huge franchise that includes a sequel TV movie, DVD's, albums, books, videogames, touring stage musicals, an ice show, and a feature film due out later this year.
According to Lombard, people have grown tired of the gloom and grimness of normal reality TV. "High School Musical is good clean fun, something that the whole family can enjoy. It's upbeat and all about positive self-image."
Dancing, singing and acting
A young student of Holy Family College in Parktown, Johannesburg, confirmed this sentiment on M-Net's publicity video: "It's all about high school life. Everybody is trying to be someone and trying to come out of their shell."
Unlike any other talent search on South African television, the contestants for High School Musical: Spotlight South Africa have to be equally good on three fronts: dancing, singing and acting.
"This is a professional search for two talented individuals to work in the South African theatre industry, and the standards will be high," Fischer said.
"And, unlike other talent search shows, the contestants will be assessed by a Creative Team comprising of a producer, choreographer, a musical director and a vocal coach who will only provide positive feedback and encouragement," he added.
Viewers vote
Competitors will be set certain tasks every week by the Creative Team, and every week viewers will be able to vote for their favourites. In addition, the viewing audience will also be privy to the often conflicting opinions of the Creative Team who will debate the contestants' fates each week.
According to Lombard HSM: Spotlight South Africa auditions kick off in Port Elizabeth on 1 June before moving on to Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.
"Any talented young person between the ages of 16 and 25 may enter. There are no entry forms - performers simply have to turn up on the day and register," she said.
This will be the first time in M-Net reality history that half the show will be filmed in, and broadcast from, Cape Town.
Live result shows in Cape Town
During the first month both the performance shows and live result shows will take place in Cape Town. Thereafter the production moves to Johannesburg where the live finale will also take place.
The Open Days are in Port Elizabeth on 6 June, in Cape Town on 13 June, in Johannesburg on 19 and 20 June and in Durban on 27 June.
Details of each open day will be announced in the local media and posted on the official website at www.mnet.co.za.
Contestants must bring their ID books and contestants younger than 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
HSM: Spotlight South Africa is produced for M-Net by EdenRage Media.
- News24