First Look at Scenes from “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series”

The first season of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series kicks off with 10 new episodes in the series. It’s a mouthful to say, but fans are excited to dive back into the world of High School Musical. If you aren’t a fan, that’s ok, you can become one on November 12th, 2019 because the original movies will be added to the Disney+ lineup of movies.

It’s the start of something new for High School Musical. The successful franchise that includes a trio of internationally popular movies and best-selling soundtracks is back with High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, a brand new, song-filled, 10-episode scripted series for Disney+. This inventive show follows a group of students who are counting down the days until they get to perform in their school’s first-ever production of, yes, High School Musical: The Musical. An updated twist on the classic Disney Channel 2006 film, the series will feature plenty of meta-references to the High School Musical franchise itself and is shot with hand-held cameras to provide a fresh, documentary-style feel. Naturally, there will also be new songs in every episode—many of them sung live by a cast of real-life teenagers—as well as reimagined versions of tunes from the original movies. And just like in the film that inspired it all, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series will be filled with budding romances, faltering friendships, and harsh rivalries, leaving the lives of this new crop of East High students changed forever as they experience the transformative power that only high school theater can provide.

The new student body includes Ricky (Joshua Bassett), a charismatic teen auditioning for the musical so he can win back the heart of ex-girlfriend Nini (Olivia Rodrigo), who has just returned from summer theater camp with a new boyfriend—and the same old insecurities that keep her from owning the spotlight; Miss Jenn (Kate Reinders), East High’s supremely spirited drama teacher, who is convinced that musicals can be lifesavers; Gina (Sofia Wylie), a transfer student and diehard theater kid with plenty of secrets; E.J. (Matt Cornett), Nini’s new beau from camp, who sees life as a competition and Ricky as his number-one foe; Kourtney (Dara Reneé), Nini’s best friend and a fashionista equally obsessed with makeup tutorials and feminism; Ashlyn (Julia Lester), E.J.’s cousin and an aspiring songwriter, Carlos (Frankie A. Rodriguez), the student choreographer who has already memorized his Tony Awards speech; Big Red (Larry Saperstein), Ricky’s best friend, a dude who can best be described as a spiritual descendant of Bill and Ted; and Mr. Mazzara (Mark St. Cyr), East High’s by-the-book S.T.E.M. teacher.

High School Musical: The Musical was created and is executive produced by novelist, former Broadway performer, and screenwriter of the Golden Globe and Academy Award-nominated “Ferdinand,” Tim Federle. Emmy Award-nominated producer Oliver Goldstick, Sundance Film Festival-nominated Tamra Davis and Emmy Award-winning “High School Musical” executive producers Bill Borden and Barry Rosenbush also serve as executive producers.