Jeffrey Hornaday to Direct and Choreograph ‘High School Musical 4: East Meets West’

Jeffrey Hornaday, a renowned choreographer (“Flashdance,” “A Chorus Line”) and director (“Shout”), will helm “High School Musical East Meets West,” the fourth movie in the franchise that is a cultural sensation around the world. The announcement was made today by Gary Marsh, president, Entertainment, Disney Channels Worldwide. The Disney Channel Original Movie, written by Peter Barsocchini, is scheduled to debut in 2010.

Casting is underway for the fourth story of the celebrated “High School Musical” franchise, a classic story set against the cross-town school rivalry between the East High Wildcats and West High Knights.

“The creative challenge for ‘High School Musical East Meets West’ is to deliver every element that the audience expects, and then re-invent those elements in a bold new way. Clearly, we’re thrilled to have our screenwriter from all three ‘HSM’ movies back, along with our producing and songwriting teams. Adding a dynamic, imaginative, visual stylist like Jeffrey Hornaday as our director/choreographer introduces the perfect catalyst to take this team to the next level.”

“I’m excited to be part of a franchise that, thematically, encourages kids to believe in themselves,” said Hornaday. “Like the first three movies, my goal is to keep the art form of the traditional musical alive, yet bring a contemporary emotional response to the story and its characters through song and dance.”

Hornaday choreographed “Flashdance,” “A Chorus Line,” “Dick Tracy,” “Captain Eo,” “Carlito’s Way,” “Shout” and “Romancing the Stone.” His directing credits include world concert tours for Madonna, Paul McCartney, Backstreet Boys, Mariah Carey, Reba McEntire and Lionel Richie.

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