Production has begun  in Burbank on Disney Channel's "Sonny with a Chance," an original comedy series for kids and families about a talented Midwestern girl who gets the chance she's been dreaming of when she's cast in the most popular sketch comedy series for kids and tweens, "So Random."   The series will depict the goings on with Sonny, her family and new friends in Los Angeles and at the studio, behind the scenes of "So Random."  It will feature a show-within-a-show, with fully produced comedy sketches.

It is scheduled to premiere in early 2009 on Disney Channel in the U.S. and thereafter on the 27 Disney Channels around the world.

"Sonny with a Chance" stars 16-year-old actress and Hollywood Records recording artist Demi Lovato (Disney Channel's "Camp Rock" and "As the Bell Rings") as Sonny Munroe.  She leads a talented ensemble cast including Tiffany Thornton (Disney Channel's upcoming movie "Hatching Pete"); Sterling Knight ("17 Again"); Brandon Smith (Disney Channel's "Phil of the Future"); Doug Brochu ("iCarly"); and Allisyn Arm ("Dive Olly Dive!").  Nancy McKeon ("Facts of Life," "The Division") will recur as Sonny's mother, Connie Munroe.

The series is executive-produced by Brian Robbins ("Varsity Blues," "One Tree Hill," "Smallville" and "All That") and his producing partner Sharla Sumpter Bridgett ("Wild Hogs," "Coach Carter") under their company, Varsity Pictures.  Steve Marmel ("Yin Yang Yo," "Fairly Odd Parents") also executive-produces along with Michael Feldman (Disney Channel's "That's So Raven" and "Cory in the House").

After a television producer discovers her homemade videos posted on her website, talented Allison "Sonny" Munroe (Demi Lovato) makes the leap from the Midwest to Los Angeles to join the cast of "So Random," the most popular sketch comedy TV show for kids and tweens. Her fellow players are snobby Tawni Hart (Tiffany Thornton), super-suave Nico Harris (Brandon Smith), gregarious funnyman Grady Mitchell (Doug Brochu), quirky Zora Lancaster (Allisyn Arm) and, from the rival series "MacKenzie Falls," heartthrob Chad Dylan Cooper (Sterling Knight). 
 

The multi-talented Lovato was introduced to Disney Channel viewers in 2007 in the short form comedy series "As the Bell Rings" and starred in the hit Disney Channel Original Movie "Camp Rock," opposite the Jonas Brothers.  Signed to Hollywood Records, Lovato was the special guest on the Jonas Brothers' sold-out "Burnin' Up" summer tour and co-wrote several songs with them for her solo debut album, "Don't Forget," which released September 23 and features the smash hit single "Get Back."

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 95 million U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on 27 Disney Channels around the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney-ABC Television Group.

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