Showtime Wants Teens, Cues Up 'Guys and Divas'

Showtime wants to go to school, too. With Disney's "High School Musical" grabbing A-plusses everywhere, the pay network is developing a two-hour documentary following three Indiana high schools as they try to top one another with their musicals.

Carrying the title "Guys and Divas: Battle of the High School Musical," the three schools in southern Indiana invest thousands on their shows as they compete to win a berth in a noted festival.

In the vein of "Spellbound," the documentary follows the on- and off-stage drama of the participating students, along with parents, teachers and others.

It's unclear when the show will air on Showtime, though it's expected this year. But it could garner added interest if it debuts before the "High School Musical" film this fall.

"Guys and Divas" would appear to be an attempt to take advantage of the remarkable success of the "High School Musical" franchise, where Disney has aired two made-for-TV versions and has a third in the works, in addition to the coming theater release.

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Also this summer, MTV recently announced it would premiere a made-for-TV musical in August, "The American Mall," from the executive producers of "HSM." Plus, ABC has a reality-competition show debuting later this month, "High School Musical: Get in the Picture," where finalists will participate in a summer music program.

While all documentaries discover different personalities and story lines, the conceit for "Guys and Divas" isn't unique. In January, looking to keep "HSM" top-of-mind over the winter, the Disney Channel aired the documentary "High School Musical: The Music in You" about two rival Texas high schools that joined to put on a production of "HSM." (Of course, in "Guys and Divas," the schools compete.)

"Guys and Divas" is a co-production of Showtime, Lionsgate and Spitfire Pictures and is written and directed by Barry Blaustein, who made the "Beyond the Mat" documentary about pro wrestling. The show has been in development since at least September of last year.

Spitfire Pictures described it as a "fly-on-the-wall look at the all-singing, all-dancing world of high-school musicals. As competitive as playing on the football field or making the cheerleading team, up to 3,000 high-school musicals were staged last year with some shows having budgets of up to $150,000."

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