Chance to be Mouseketeers

NOT many people today remember watching the iconic Disney variety show called Mickey Mouse Club. It was started in California, USA way back in 1955 by Walt Disney himself, and many talented children were selected to become Mouseketeers. They show ran intermittently over the years right up to 1996 and over the years there were several popular alumni, including Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, and Ryan Gosling.
Now, Disney Channel is bringing Mickey Mouse Club to Malaysian audiences for the very first time.
Mickey Mouse Club will bring the whole family together through music, comedy, games and celebrity guest appearances. Naturally, they are on the look out for a boy and a girl aged between 11 to 16 to become Malaysia's first Mouseketeers.
"The Mickey Mouse Club Star Search to find Malaysia's Mouseketeers will uncover the next generation of young stars who will inspire and excite kids and families across Malaysia," said Amit Malhotra, vice president & general manager, media networks, The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia.
"This will be a refreshed, modern take on Mickey Mouse Club, focusing on local content that is entertaining and relevant for the whole family. We are thrilled to be working exclusively with Astro in Malaysia to bring this iconic variety show to Disney fans."
Speaking of Disney Channel's over two decades association with Astro, Amit said it was in fact Disney Channel's first foray into he Southeast-Asia region.
The launch of The Mickey Mouse Club Star Search is the first and biggest foray of local production in Malaysia and the region.
Amit explained: "Localisation has always been a key focus for us to be able to engage our fans and key audiences. It is very important for us to understand our consumers. This show spans across music, games, celebrities and comedy and we know how much Malaysian love comedy. It will be a fun show and we will have fun doing it."
Why only two Mouseketeers? "There are many talented Malaysians who are great singers, actors and dancers. We will start off with two and then go from there," Amit said.
Amit said they are essentially taking a classic concept and making it more relevant today using the digital platform. They will be producing webisodes and digital content only for the web.
"It will help us reach a whole new generation of audience and fans. it will really help us tell stories. That will make the show more modern and contemporary. We think we have a winner."
Interested applicants have until June 15 to submit audition videos of themselves, singing, dancing and acting to www.MickeyMouseClub.my. There will also be on-ground auditions in Kuala Lumpur (May 13 and 14), Johor Baru (May 20), and Penang (May 21). More details can be found on the website.
Mickey Mouse Club will provide Malaysian fans with more ways to celebrate their love for Disney through local expression and creativity. Besides the variety show on Disney Channel, there will also be engaging digital content on Astro and Disney's social platforms, social media campaigns and competitions for fans to enjoy an engaging multi-platform experience.
The series is scheduled to go on air in September 2017 on Disney Channel (Astro Channel 615).

CAPTION
Mouseketeers, assemble! ... Malaysian children can join the exclusive club that first started in 1955, and which counts among its alumni stars like (clockwise from upper right) Timberlake, Aguilera, Spears and Gosling.