By: Keli Georges and Nick Bettendorf
Staff Writers
Staff Writers
The release of the brand-new streaming service Disney+ came with a plethora of original content. One series that is taking Disney+ by storm is High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Despite its exhausting name, the series has remained in the spotlight these last few months through polarizing controversy: some people say the High School Musical trilogy should be left alone as a cinematic masterpiece, while others have fallen in love with the original content, which pays homage to the original movie.
Copyright: Disney
The show is shot at East High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, where the original trilogy was filmed; however, this series is actually set in Salt Lake City, compared to the original movie’s on-screen location in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Contrary to popular belief, this show does not act as a fourth film to the trilogy. HSMTMTS follows main characters Ricky, Nini, EJ, and others as they work to put on the first production of High School Musical: The Musical at East High. Of course, with any high school series, there’s a bit of romance and drama involved. It features a group of theater kids trying to figure out how to make their production of High School Musical great. Fans missing the original movie trilogy will be pleased that the show features appearances from two of High School Musical’s original cast members. In episode 6 of the show, KayCee Stroh, who played Martha Cox in the original movies, makes an appearance as one of the school board members, and in episode 8, Lucas Grabeel, who played Ryan in the original movies, plays himself encouraging Miss Jenn (the drama teacher) that the show must go on despite all the troubles being brought into her life.
This show wouldn’t fit the High School Musical franchise if it didn’t have a lot of music. It features renditions of the movie’s original songs that the cast performs, while also introducing new songs that have been stuck in everyone's heads since they were released. A few of the actors, specifically Olivia Rodrego (Nini) and Joshua Bassett (Ricky), have even written their own original songs for the series. The soundtrack for the first season includes 41 tracks, which includes 16 original songs, 14 songs from the original movie, and 11 instrumentals. While these new songs could never replace the legendary songs from the movie, they bring new life to the High School Musical franchise.
Original fans of the show are hesitant about Disney+ continuing the High School Musical story, especially the millennial fans. However, to teens who have watched the original trilogy, the show brings fresh drama and stories to this popular franchise. The new characters share relatable struggles that today’s teens deal with every day. Their school musical is what unifies the kids, who are all working toward a common goal that is bigger than themselves.
The show released the 10th and final episode of season one on January 10th, with a season two already in the works. Fans are on edge to see what will happen to their favorite characters and romances. Season two is projected to be released in the fall of 2020. Overall, we would recommend this show to any former or new fans of the original movies. Any teen will get attached to the characters and relationships that develop in this show.
This show wouldn’t fit the High School Musical franchise if it didn’t have a lot of music. It features renditions of the movie’s original songs that the cast performs, while also introducing new songs that have been stuck in everyone's heads since they were released. A few of the actors, specifically Olivia Rodrego (Nini) and Joshua Bassett (Ricky), have even written their own original songs for the series. The soundtrack for the first season includes 41 tracks, which includes 16 original songs, 14 songs from the original movie, and 11 instrumentals. While these new songs could never replace the legendary songs from the movie, they bring new life to the High School Musical franchise.
Original fans of the show are hesitant about Disney+ continuing the High School Musical story, especially the millennial fans. However, to teens who have watched the original trilogy, the show brings fresh drama and stories to this popular franchise. The new characters share relatable struggles that today’s teens deal with every day. Their school musical is what unifies the kids, who are all working toward a common goal that is bigger than themselves.
The show released the 10th and final episode of season one on January 10th, with a season two already in the works. Fans are on edge to see what will happen to their favorite characters and romances. Season two is projected to be released in the fall of 2020. Overall, we would recommend this show to any former or new fans of the original movies. Any teen will get attached to the characters and relationships that develop in this show.