Vanessa Hudgens heads to the stage in Neil Patrick Harris' 'Rent'

An interesting segue into her role in 'Beastly'

By Katie Hasty Friday, Apr 9, 2010 5:58 PM

Vanessa Hudgens

From "High School" sweetheart to floozy exotic dancer with HIV: such is the linear career of Vanessa Hudgens.

The "High School Musical" star is headed to the stage in another musical, "Rent," to be directed by Broadway and small screen sweetheart Neil Patrick Harris. She will play Mimi.

The production will run Aug. 6-8 at the Hollywood Bowl in L.A.

"She came in for a work session, and I must say, Vanessa really impressed," Harris said in a statement. "She looks amazing, has great vocal chops and seems really committed to honoring the somewhat iconic role of Mimi. I look forward to audiences seeing a dark, edgy and very different side of Vanessa Hudgens this August."

Emmy Award-nominated Harris played Mark Cohen in the 1997 production and national tour of "Rent."

Hudgens trotted out her singing talents in last year's "Bandslam" and will be starring alongside Alex Pettyfer in forthcoming "Beastly," out July 30.

Katie Hasty
Managing Editor

After five years as a columnist and editor at Billboard, Katie Hasty joined HitFix in 2009 for music and film reporting out of New York. The Midwest native has worked as a writer, music promoter and in A&R since 1999 and performs with her band Numbers And Letters.

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honk_mahfah

Sorry in addvance for being a tool, but...you folks need to take some spelling lessons. It's spelled "segue," not "segway."
April 10, 2010 at 1:29AM EST Reply to Comment
- katie, a princess oh I've got your Segway
  http://co2calculator.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/segway.jpg
  April 12, 2010 at 11:54AM EST