High School Musical's Vanessa Hudgens Will Star in Broadway-Bound Gigi at the Kennedy Center

High School Musical star Vanessa Hudgens, who as you will remember it well, performed in a summer industry reading of Gigi, will headline the Broadway-bound musical when it plays at the Kennedy Center. The tuner will run at the Eisenhower Theater January 16, 2015 through February 12, with opening night set for January 29. Directed by Eric Schaeffer, the re-imagined new production has been adapted by playwright and Emmy-nominated screenwriter Heidi Thomas. Choreography will be by Joshua Bergasse.

Hudgens is best known for playing Gabriella, love interest of Zac Efron's Troy, in Disney’s High School Musical movies. Recent screen credits include Bandslam and Spring Breakers. She played Mimi in Rent at the Hollywood Bowl in 2010.

Set during the turn of the 20th century, Gigi tells the story of a free-spirited teenage girl living in Paris who is groomed (in the custom of her family) to serve as a companion to a bored, wealthy playboy until the pair realize they have fallen in love.

Based on the 1944 novel by Colette, Gigi was first adapted for the Broadway stage in 1951 by Anita Loos, with an unknown Audrey Hepburn in the title role. Subsequently Alan Jay Lerner (screenplay and lyrics) and Frederick Loewe (music) adapted the material for the 1958 movie musical, winner of nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture. In 1973, the tuner played 103 performances on Broadway with Karin Wolfe as Gigi and Daniel Massey as Gaston, earning a Tony Award for Best Original Score. Gigi features the memorable tunes “Thank Heaven For Little Girls,” “I Remember It Well,” "The Night They Invented Champagne," “It’s a Bore,” "Say a Prayer for Me Tonight" and more.

New York dates and further casting and creative team will be announced later. The workshop's cast also included Broadway favorites Corey Cott, Kate Burton and Victoria Clark.