The Disney Channel is fast becoming a source for major ticketing income. The amazing success of “The Cheetah Girls” production, which started as a television movie and turned into a traveling act, has taken ‘girl power’ to a new level. Tickets to the production are flying out of box offices, and it has become an almost overnight sensation.
This demographic is not to be underestimated, as their influence is felt across the charts. Disposable income and plenty of free time make the pre-teen and teenager a target audience for combinations of music and television, that also translates to the stage. Disney is a master at getting all they can from a single concept, and these two acts are no exception.
Tickets to see the feline-themed teen girl group are going for as much as $450 on TicketLiquidator.com. The range of pricing for the Sept. 21 performance in Universal City, Calif., starting at $150, is only one example of the success this show has seen.
Based on a 16-book series by Deborah Gregory, the movie’s following spawned a follow up set in Spain. The movie is all about four New York City teens dying to make it in Hollywood. The sequel is set in Spain, and is also aimed at the tween girl market. CD and DVD sales have also raked in the cash.
The four girls are discovered by a producer while practicing for a school talent show, and
from there show business does a job on their friendship, their dreams and teaches them about priorities and responsibility.
“High School Musical” is the next Disney original TV-movie to hit the stage. Set to debut Jan. 13, 2007 in Atlanta at the Fox Theatre, the show will replace Dr. Doolittle.
“We are thrilled to be one of a handful of regional theatre which were chosen by Disney Theatricals to produce this marvelous new musical sensation,” according to Christopher B. Manos, producer of Atlanta’s Theater of the Stars in a recent TOTS article. “We’ll present the show at the fabulous Fox Theatre for 10 performances.”
The “Musical” broke records in television viewership, CD and online sales. The first broadcast brought in 7.7 million viewers in five million households. The soundtrack even climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Charts, with the single “Breaking Free” going platinum.
The hip-hop culture has spread from the underground to the playground, and especially with The Cheetah Girls, Disney has put a positive spin on what at times can be a racier culture.
Preaching a message of racial harmony, girl power, tolerance and friendship, the girls sing wholesome songs and dress appropriately for their ages. With the messages presented by the group, like “I don’t want to be like Cinderella, I’d rather rescue myself,” it’s not hard to see why parents approve of the show, and will pay top dollar to let their (mainly) daughters attend.