Vanessa Hudgens returns to the genre that made her a star, the musical. The producers of the upcoming "Gigi" revival have tapped the "High School Musical" alum as their leading lady.
The Broadway-bound production will play a tryout run this winter in Washington D.C. at the Kennedy Center. The musical will then open on the Great White Way in 2015.
"So excited to play Gigi in @GigiOnBroadway! I hope y'all will have a chance to see me in it when we open at @kencen!!" Hudgens tweeted on Sept. 10. She's alreayd begun two-a-day vocal exercises and memorizing her lines, according to the Associated Press.
The Lerner and Loewe musical "Gigi" premiered on Broadway in 1973. The title role is a free-spirited teenager living in Paris at the turn of the 20th century. She's training to become a courtesan at the behest of her family, but the attention of an attractive bachelor will complicate matters.
"I think, as an actor, the ultimate dream is to be on Broadway. I think it's the true test. There are no second takes. You've got to bring everything you've got for the most critical of audiences," the 25-year-old actress told the AP. "It's an honor, if anything. I'm over the moon."
Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe originally scripted the music and lyrics for Vincente Minelli's 1958 film based on the 1944 novella by the French writer Colette. The Broadway musical adapted Learner's book and music, and Lowe's music for the stage.
The original production only ran for 103 shows, but earned a Tony Award for best score in 1974.
Hudgens starred in all three of Disney's "High School Musical" movies. She went on to launch a music career and star in grittier films like "Spring Breakers" and "Gimme Shelter." She also starred as Mimi in a production "Rent" at the Hollywood Bowl in 2010.
The actress and singer recently acted as the maid of honor for her best friend and former co-star Ashley Tisdale's wedding.
"Gigi" will begin its tryout run in D.C. on Jan. 16 to Feb. 12, 2015. Broadway details have yet to be released.
