Themes of believing in yourself, following your dreams, celebrating family and staying true to yourself are explored in the triumphant, music-driven "Lemonade Mouth," a Disney Channel Original Movie based on the book of the same name, set to premiere FRIDAY, MARCH 25 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel. The announcement was made today by Gary Marsh, president, Entertainment, and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide. The movie joins the powerhouse franchise that has delivered cable TV's No. 1 original movie telecast in Total Viewers for the past four years and TV's No. 1 original movie among Tweens 9-14 for the past nine years.
Geared towards kids, tweens and families, "Lemonade Mouth" tells the story of how a powerhouse band came to be after five uncelebrated students with a passion for music find each other and ultimately become the voice of their generation.
Directed by award winning film director Patricia Riggen ("La Misma Luna") and executive-produced by Debra Martin Chase ("The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," Disney Channel's "The Cheetah Girls" movies), the movie showcases a remarkably talented cast led by popular stars of Disney Channel hits: Bridgit Mendler ("Good Luck Charlie") as lead vocalist Olivia White, Adam Hicks (Disney XD's "Zeke and Luther") as keyboardist Wen Giford, Hayley Kiyoko ("Wizards of Waverly Place") as electric guitarist Stella Yamada, Naomi Scott (Disney Channel UK's "Life Bites") as bass guitarist Mohini, and newcomer Blake Michael (who landed the role via an open casting call) as percussionist Charlie Delgado. Also starring are Nick Roux ("The Suite Life on Deck") as Scott Pickett, Chris Brochu ("Soul Surfer") as Ray Beach, Tisha Campbell-Martin ("My Wife and Kids") as music teacher Miss Reznick and Christopher McDonald ("Boardwalk Empire") as Principal Brenigan.
The movie's soundtrack, featuring original songs spanning hip-hop, rock and pop/rock, will be available TUESDAY, MARCH 22 on iTunes and in stores nationwide. Eighteen year-old Adam Hicks has songwriting credits on three of the music tracks, marking the first time a cast member has written a song performed in a Disney Channel Original Movie.
"Lemonade Mouth" introduces an unlikely ensemble of five students - Olivia, Wen, Stella, Mohini and Charlie - who, after meeting in detention, gradually realize their shared musical connection and belief that it's time for the students of Mesa High to stand up and be heard on things big and small (ranging from the school principal's exclusive support of the athletic programs to the removal of the popular organic lemonade from the cafeteria). Ultimately, as they open up to each other and form friendships, they start a band -- Lemonade Mouth --that soon resonates with students sidelined by the high school elite. However, not everyone in the school is ready to cheer them on, especially since the popular rock group Mudslide Crush is determined to maintain their headline status and win the coveted Rising Star music competition at Mesa High.
Based on the book Lemonade Mouth by Mark Peter Hughes, the script was written by April Blair, and is directed by award-winning Patricia Riggen ("La Misma Luna" aka "Under the Same Moon"), executive-produced by Debra Martin Chase ("The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," Disney Channel's "The Cheetah Girls" movies), co-produced by Gaylyn Fraiche ("Just Wright," "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2") and choreographed by Chris Scott ("So You Think You Can Dance"). "Lemonade Mouth" was filmed on location in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is a production of GWAVE Productions, LLC.
Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family inclusive television network that taps into the world of kids and families through original series and movies. Currently available on basic cable in over 99 million U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on Disney Channels around the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney/ABC Television Group.
