Vanessa Hudgens Is 'Stoked' About Leading the Broadway-Bound Musical Gigi

Vanessa Hudgens is thanking heaven that she’s landed the titular role in the Broadway-bound Gigi. “I’m stoked,” she revealed at a recent Global Green USA event. “I love the play so much! I love Gigi—she’s so adorable. She’s so much fun."

The High School Musical star is set to begin performances in the tuner's pre-Broadway engagement at the Kennedy Center opposite Howard McGillin and Corey Cott on January 16, 2015. Although Hudgens admitted “I’m terrified,” she’s remaining positive: “Do the things that scare you, though!”

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.

Directed by Eric Schaeffer, the re-imagined new production is written by Heidi Thomas. 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 Oscar-winning movie musical. In 1973, the tuner played 103 performances on Broadway, 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.