Ice takes school musical into another dimension (+video)

Forget Mickey Mouse, High School Musical is Disney's biggest craze and it is now taking over New Zealand.

The 2006 Emmy award-winning Disney Channel movie phenomenon spread to a stage musical and now an ice tour.

For last night's opening of High School Musical: The Ice Tour the Vector Arena had been transformed into a giant skating rink.

The 105-minute show stars a cast of world-class skaters portraying the roles of the characters in the multimillion-dollar on-screen franchise High School Musical: Troy, Gabriella, Ryan, Sharpay, Chad and Taylor.

With a plot described by critics as a modern adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, High School Musical tells of two high school juniors from rival cliques.

Troy Bolton, the captain of the basketball team, and Gabriella Montez, a transfer student, try out for the lead parts in their school musical and as a result divide the school.

The ice tour includes hit songs from the movie soundtrack - which broke records on the Billboard charts.

Producer Kenneth Feld said: "We've brought together a creative dream team who will deliver a top-notch production that celebrates moments from the movies in an ice spectacular that will fill arenas with lights, music, dancing and spirit."

* High School Musical - The Ice Tour is showing at Auckland's Vector Arena until Monday and then at the Westpac Arena in Christchurch from Thursday until next Sunday. Ticket prices range from $28.50 to $58.50.