Just when it seemed safe to come out from under that rock, that place where no children sing along to “Get’cha Head in the Game,” here comes more “High School Musical.”
“High School Musical,” of course, is that crazy-popular Disney Channel movie of teenage exuberance, where high schoolers of all denominations — geeks, jocks, nerds, goths, dweebs — can come together as one.
The movie has become a bonanza which includes an ice show, a concert tour and countless licenses to theaters that have and will act out Troy and Gabriella’s romance live on stage.
For this dance-off, we have the multimillion-dollar Disney live production at the LaSalle Bank Theatre downtown, and the little, non-union, underdog version by Emerald City Theatre Company, on Lincoln Avenue. Can both shows triumph?
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DISNEY
WHAT
Disney Theatrical Productions and Broadway in Chicago at the LaSalle Bank Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St. Through Sept. 2; now in previews and officially opens Wednesday. Tickets are $20 to $78; 312-902-1400 and www.broadwayinchicago.com
IN SEVEN WORDS
Professional actors, professional band, likely-Broadway bound.
WHAT YOU’LL GET
Elementary school-age kids singing along to every word, standing the entire time.
TOTAL NUMBER OF CAST AND CREW
34 in cast, 49 in crew, 11 in band.
RUNNING TIME
2 hours 15 minutes (with intermission)
CAN I GET IN?
Matinee shows on Wednesdays and Saturdays are pretty much sold out. You’ll have the best luck with a Wednesday or Thursday night show (the show is off Mondays and Tuesdays). If you’re desperate, try a venue such as Craigslist (chicago.craigslist.org).
TICKET LOTTO ODDS
LaSalle Bank Theatre has 1,948 seats per show (48 shows = 93,504 total tickets).
FARTHEST ROW FROM STAGE
Q426 (rear balcony, four levels up, 15 rows back)
PARKING
$16 thanks to a discount deal at two nearby lots at 55 E. Monroe St., and 17 E. Adams St. Or better yet, dine at nearby Vivere for the best parking deal (see below).
EATS
Do Italian at the Italian Village compound, via fine dining at Vivere (71 W. Monroe St.), or family action upstairs at The Village, with more pizzas, pastas and kid-friendly dishes. Vivere is a block from the theater and valet service after 5 p.m. is $10, plus they’ll keep your car during the show.
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EMERALD CITY
WHAT
Emerald City Theatre Company at the Victory Gardens Greenhouse, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave. Through Aug. 9. Tickets are $25 at 773-871-3000, emeraldcitytheatre.com and www.victorygardens.org.
IN SEVEN WORDS
Authentic, high school amateurs playing high schoolers.
WHAT YOU’LL GET
Elementary school-age kids singing along to every word, standing the entire time.
TOTAL NUMBER OF CAST AND CREW
16 in cast, 8 in crew, one CD by Disney.
RUNNING TIME
1 hour 11 minutes (no intermission)
CAN I GET IN?
It’s smaller, so demand is less but there are fewer tickets, also. Mostly sold out, but some weekend nights are still to be had.
TICKET LOTTO ODDS
Burstein Mainstage at Victory Gardens Greenhouse Theater has 195 seats per show (15 shows = 2,925 total tickets).
FARTHEST ROW FROM STAGE
G10 Left (7 rows back on the left).
PARKING
Because Victory Gardens is on Lincoln Avenue, you might get lucky and find on-street parking. If you don’t, parking deals are:
$6 (with ticket stub) at Children’s Memorial Hospital (2316 N. Lincoln Ave.); $5 (with stub) at Lincoln Park Hospital (550 W. Webster Ave.).
EATS
Emerald City: Drinks, panini and scones at the Bourgeois Pig Cafe (735 W. Fullerton Pkwy.), and get 10 percent off with your ticket stub. Or get the kids cupcakes at Swirlz Cupcakes, 705 W. Belden Ave.
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MORE ‘HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL’
Sunday in ARTS: Chris Jones explains the phenomenon.
Online: Video and interviews, at chicagotribune.com/hsmusical
