The success of "Glee" has inspired other networks to begin producing musical series. Disney Channel, which is home to "High School Musical" installments is next in line, fast tracking a single-camera comedy show tentatively titled "Madison High".
Unlike "Glee", "Madison" relies on original music but like "Glee", the cast break-into-song-and-dance. The plan is to feature also artists from Disney's music label. Deadline says the project is the network's "most ambitious series yet".
Preliminary casting is already underway although a formal pilot order is yet official. They are looking for 11 to 16 year olds who will play the students of Madison High. The school "is trying to build a revolutionary theater program" and the students are working in an original piece based on their lives for an end of year project.
The development meanwhile involves "JONAS L.A." scribe Lester Lewis who works as a writer again beside executive producing with Paul Hoen. The latter name is the director of recent DCOM, "Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam" who will be tapped to direct the pilot should it get a green light.
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