Debra Li

BETWEEN Sept. 30 and Oct. 4, Disney’s “High School Musical — Live on Stage” will make its debut appearance with eight consecutive shows at Shenzhen Poly Theater.

“This is a timeless show for the whole family, where children can relate to the stories on stage, young people will relive their treasured campus years and parents will get a better understanding of their children,” said Poly spokeswoman, Liu Lian.

Produced by GWB Entertainment, an international entertainment company that produces and manages large-scale productions, the show worked a sensation last year when 24 shows were performed at a streak in Shanghai. Following its premiere in Chicago in 2007, the show has played sold-out seasons in Boston, Toronto and Los Angeles and, by the end of 2008, it had played 42 cities in the United States. It also toured Europe, South Africa and Australia.

The musical is a production of Disney Channel’s smash hit movie of the same name, featuring basically the same characters and songs that have made the original film a house-hold name. The original movie won two Emmy Awards in 2006 and earned an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the first TV movie to deliver nine concurrent singles on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.

The story is about Troy, a popular high school basketball star, and Gabriella, a shy, academically gifted newcomer who discover they share a passion for singing.

In a desperate attempt to maintain the status quo, the “jocks,” the “brainiacs” and even the drama club regulars, are soon hatching convoluted plots to separate the pair and keep them off stage. However, by defying expectations and taking a chance on their dreams, the couple inspires other students to go public with some surprising hidden talent of their own.

The teenagers struggle to find out just who they are while building relationships, exploring new interests and dealing with other’s expectations of them. Inspired by popular teen musicals like “Grease” and “West Side Story,” this show brings a classic story to the modern world with today’s music, updated technology and contemporary themes and situations. It features a 32-member cast and an 11-piece rock band.

The show is in English with humorous Chinese subtitles.

High School Musical — Live on Stage

Time: 3 p.m., Oct.1 to 3; 8 p.m., Sept. 30 to Oct. 4

Tickets: 80-1,280 yuan

Venue: Shenzhen Poly Theater, intersection of Wenxin Road 5 and Houhaibin Road, Nanshan District (南山区后海滨路与文心五路交界处深圳保利剧院)

Buses: 70, 80, K113, 204, 217, 226, 230, 245, 369, 390

Tel: 8367-1698, 8367-1699