by Chris Alexis

It’s a good time for High School Musical fans.

Not only is High School Musical 2 being released, but the stage version of the original film is headed your way as an add-on to the Broadway Across America-Columbus season.

Tickets are now on sale for the show, which will premier in Ohio at the Palace Theater from Oct. 23-28. They can be purchased at www.BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.

Ron Bohmer, who plays Coach Bolton in the stage version, says that the writers of the stage show were very lucky to have the movie come out first, as it gives them a point to grow from. While the stage version is essentially the same as the movie, Bohmer says “our writers have given every character a more complete arc.”

He offers the character of antagonist Sharpay Evans as an example.

“She’s a comic villain in the movie. In our show we have a scene where she explains why she is the way she is,” he says.

For those unfamiliar with the story, it’s a love story that centers around a boy and a girl who secretly want to audition for their high school musical despite forces working against them.

“The star of the piece is Troy Bolton [a basketball player] who finds out he likes to sing and is led to circumstances to audition for a play,” says Bohmer. “I play his father. In his father’s eyes, Troy is going to lead them to that championship that they’ve haven’t won in years. In the end of the piece, my character is taught the lesson you can’t put people in a box. If you allow them to be all the things they want to be, they’re better at everything they do.”

Bohmer says his brother coaches basketball in real life.

“I think of my brother when I play the character. I kind of absorbed him,” he says.

According to Allison Thomas, director of public relations for Broadway Across America-Columbus, another difference from the film version is that there are two new songs for the tour.

This show isn’t part of the regular Broadway season.

“Our schedule was already set, but we were excited to be able to be one of the first cities to have the High School Musical tour, so we’re excited to be able to offer it,” Thomas says.

“I think it’s important for adults who are bringing their kids to realize they’re gonna have a heck of a lot of fun too,” says Bohmer. “High School Musical is what it is because the kids own it. The kids are saying, ‘I want to see this.’ The musical is shaping the future of the Broadway audience. Based on the reaction, this is not going to be their last.”

Will High School Musical 2 ever make it to the stage as well?

“I would hope so. I think people would really enjoy seeing it,” says Thomas. “That’s up to the Disney folks.”