The Ultimate School Musical team.
Ruby Rose, Anthony Callea and Eddie Perfect front new showbiz reality show.
Foxtel's next local production aims to have kids singing and dancing up a storm.
Ultimate School Musical: Fame takes the kids from Essendon Keilor College and gives them a crash course in singing, dancing and acting as they prepare to stage a production of the musical, Fame.
Ruby Rose hosts the series for FOX8, and is joined by a solid group of experts who will lead the kids from Years 7 – 12.
Former Australian Idol singer Anthony Callea is vocal coach for the series, while cabaret performer Eddie Perfect (Shane Warne the Musical) directs the production. Accomplished dancer Kelly Aykers is choreographer. Aykers, whose CV includes productions including Chicago and Sweet Charity, runs Ministry of Dance studio in Melbourne with Jason Coleman.
The series has close ties with the upcoming stage production of Fame, which includes other So You Think You Can Dance Australia stars such as winner Talia Fowler and "Timomatic" and is directed by choreographer Kelley Abbey. TV faces Andrew McFarlane (Underbelly, The Flying Doctors, The Sullivans) and Brian Wenzel (A Country Practice) also appear. Some are expected to appear in the FOX8 series giving advice to the students in rehearsals.
Rose says her own time at school was pretty turbulent and challenging so she relishes the chance to give something back and mentor the kids from Essendon Keilor High School.
"I am so excited to be a part of this amazing series which will allow me to work with high school students in a positive way and help create an opportunity for them to build their confidence and achieve the goals they never thought possible," she said.
The series is based on a UK format which is also in production or development in 12 countries, including Denmark, France, Italy, Sweden, Netherlands and Portugal as well as Spain, New Zealand, Norway and Finland.
After weeks of rehearsals, the series culminates in a public performance of Fame at Melbourne's Regent Theatre.
With the success of American Idol for FOX8, Ultimate School Musical: Fame will no doubt be hoping to tap into the star in us all.
It begins at 7.30pm on Tuesday, April 20.
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