Three television networks – ABC, Disney Channel and Freeform – will present the first episode of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series for one night only, Friday, November 8, in advance of the series’ bow on the highly anticipated streaming service, Disney+.
- High School Musical: The Musical: The Series is created and executive produced by Tim Federle, a screenwriter, novelist, librettist and self-described “musical theatre kid.”
- The series begins another original, exciting story with both new and familiar songs and settings that both its longtime fans and new viewers can enjoy.
- The series follow 10 main characters: Nini, Ricky, Gina, E.J., Ashlyn, Kourtney, Carlos, Big Red, Miss Jenn and Mr. Mazzara – a group of drama students and faculty members at East High, the Utah high school where the original High School Musical movie was filmed.
- Through the course of 10 episodes, these characters count down from auditions to opening night of their school’s first-ever production of “High School Musical: The Musical.”
- They have budding romances, faltering friendships and harsh rivalries as they experience the transformative power that only high school theater can provide.
- Ricky (Joshua Bassett) is 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 insecurities that keep her from owning the spotlight.
- Miss Jenn (Kate Reinders) is East High’s supremely spirited drama teacher, who’s convinced that musicals can be lifesavers; Gina (Sofia Wylie) is a transfer student and diehard theater kid with plenty of secrets; E.J. (Matt Cornett) is Nini’s new beau from camp, who sees life as a competition and Ricky as his No. 1 foe.
- Kourtney (Dara Reneé) is Nini’s best friend and a fashionista equally obsessed with makeup tutorials and feminism.
- Ashlyn (Julia Lester) is E.J.’s cousin and an aspiring songwriter; Carlos (Frankie A. Rodriguez) is the student choreographer who has already memorized his Tony Award speech; and Big Red (Larry Saperstein) is Ricky’s best friend, a dude who can best be described as a spiritual descendant of Bill and Ted.
- Mr. Mazzara (Mark St. Cyr) is East High’s by-the-book S.T.E.M. teacher.
- High School Musical: The Musical: The Series was created and is executive produced by Golden Globe and Academy Award nominee Tim Federle (Ferdinand) who also wrote the first episode.
- The first episode was directed by Tamra Davis.
- Oliver Goldstick, Tamra Davis and Emmy® Award-winning “High School Musical” executive producers Bill Borden and Barry Rosenbush also serve as executive producers of the first episode.
- High School Musical: The Musical: The Series will premiere on ABC, Disney Channel and Freeform on Friday, November 8 before it becomes available on Disney+ when it launches on November 12.