High School Musical is back with a new twist on Disney+! And it’s the #UltimateComback.
Get ready for the longest title ever — High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. But what does that title even mean?!
Well, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series takes place at the real-life East High (where the original HSM movie was filmed) and follows a group of students preparing for the school’s first-ever theatrical production of, yes, High School Musical: The Musical.
Follow the faux-documentary style series, which is ten episodes long, as the students prepare for their upcoming school musical.
Hence the title — High School Musical: The Musical (aka the theatrical production the high schoolers will perform): The Series (a faux-documentary detailing the blood, sweat, tears (and drama) that goes into making it).
Several days ago, I had the chance to watch episode one of HSMTMTS during a Disney+ screening while attending The Geekly Retreat in Burbank, CA!
The first episode, titled “The Auditions,” was absolutely delightful and made me laugh out loud throughout the entire episode.
I’m serious. This is the musical, no, the series, that I didn’t know I needed. And while The Mandoliran is number one on my Disney+ watch list, HSMTMTS is my number two!
5 Reasons You Should Watch High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
If you’re unsure if HSMTMTS is for you, hear me out.
Whether you’re a tried-and-true Wildcat or you’ve outgrown the original series, I’ve got 5 reasons why you should give High School Musical: The Musical: The Series a chance and watch episode one.
1 — You (maybe secretly) love the music from the original High School Musical trilogy. Admit it, HSM has some jams! I recently re-listened to all of the soundtracks for movies 1-3 and, wow, I still know all of the words. (Guess all of that HSM karaoke in college paid off.)
And now with HSMTMTS, each episode will feature a new song by the new cast, as well as reimagined versions of tunes from the original movies.
2 — You love making fun of High School Musical. Whether you love it, hate it, or just love to hate it, the new series knows exactly what it is. And it jokes about its source material in a hilarious, loving way.
3 — You love a feisty best friend character. Hello, Kourtney. She’s got attitude. She’s got her friend’s back. And she’s absolutely hilarious.
4 — You love The Office and Parks and Recreation. As I mentioned before, HSMTMTS is a faux-documentary-styled series. Think awkward sidebar interviews and side eyes into the camera.
5 — You hate to binge watch shows. DIsney+ has A LOT of content to stream, so it’s intimidating to start ANOTHER series — amirite? HSMTMTS, however, will only be released one episode at a time, so there’s no pressure to binge watch it all at once! Just watch the first episode and you’ll be hooked.
About High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
The 10-episode scripted series, set at the real-life East High, where the original movie was filmed, follows a group of students as they countdown to opening night of their school’s first-ever production of “High School Musical.” With meta references and some docu-style elements, it’s a modern take on the “classic” from 13 years ago. Show-mances blossom; friendships are tested, while new ones are made; rivalries flare; songs are sung; and lives are changed forever as these young people discover 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: The Series is available to stream only on Disney+.
Movie images and footage courtesy of Disney+.
This one wasn’t on the top of my list but you’re selling me on it more! I loved HSM about my senior year of high school, but I never saw the third one so I wasn’t sure I was invested enough. But if it has a parks and rec feel I’m definitely intrigued…
This looks so great! I loved the HSM movies, love the office, love parks and rec. This will be a funny one to watch and I am so excited!
I am weirdly excited for this series, and it’s definitely on my watchlist! HSM is a nostalgic fave for sure. I hope this does well and the trend of reimagining old movies in this way continues.
I gotta admit, when I first saw the teaser trailer for this, I was slightly disappointed. I was THE biggest HSM fan growing up (and when I say THE biggest, I mean it. It was almost laughable how much I loved those movies) so I was worried that this would just be a remake in the weirdest way possible. Knowing the true plot, reading your review, and watching the longer trailer has me much more interested. Maybe I will take the time to watch!
I loved original movies and I can’t wait to watch this one.