'High School Musical: The Musical: The Series' premiere introduces Nina, Ricky, EJ and Miss Jenn with more drama offstage than on
Buckle up, folks! As it's going to be the start of something new when Disney+ launches November 12. Premiering along with the launch is a slew of original shows and movies by the streaming giant.
Among them is 'High School Musical: The Musical: The Series' which is a spin-off to the Disney Channel original movie released over a decade ago. Many fans and viewers doubt whether it is a sequel or a remake of the original movie and it's time to clear that doubt.
The 10-episode series is an extension set in the original fictionalized East High School in Utah that featured in 'High School Musical'. The school stages a winter play of the movie 'High School Musical: The Musical'.
The preparations begin after their drama teacher realizes the students studying in the school haven't staged a play of the musical all these years. After watching the first episode of the series, it is safe to say it's an almost fun show that is low-key silly tagged along with drama and some pretty good choreography.
The first episode titled 'Auditions' is more like an introduction to the plot and characters where they prepare and audition for the winter play. The series wastes no time in introducing us to the main characters of the series and the drama that revolves around them and their lives.
Right from the start, we are thrown into the conundrum between the two leads Ricky (Joshua Bassett) and Nina (Olivia Rodrigo) who broke up over the summer. Nina confesses her love for Ricky, which in turn throws him off and he breaks things off with her for the rest of the summer as she heads off to theater camp.
Back in school for the new year, while he wants to get back with her, she has found a new guy E. J. (Matt Cornett), an actor and a jock. The first episode revolves around her love triangle with E. J. and Ricky.
Ricky, who is determined to get her back, decides to audition for the play. While Nina and E. J. plan on auditioning for the part of Troy and Gabrielle. Apart from the drama surrounding these three characters, the series also gives us a glimpse of their drama teacher, who is undoubtedly a little bit over the top if one compares her character to Miss Darbus from the original movie.
Miss Jenn (Kate Reinders) dreams of shooting for the stars while the school doesn't even let her touch the sky. While Sharpay was the most dramatic character in the original movie, in the series, it's the play's choreographer Carlos (Frankie Rodriguez) who thinks he belongs on broadway and not in school.
The series also introduces us to a new transfer student Gina (Sofia Wylie), who is Nina's rival and wants the part of Gabriella too. One thing that is prominent throughout the first episode is that we can see the characters go through their personal trials and tribulations apart from the drama that exists in school.
Overall, by the looks of the first episode, the series doesn't look oh so bad. While some might fall in love with it in an instant just because of the nostalgia of the original movie and its soundtracks, it might not be the perfect cup of tea for others.
On the other hand, if you're one of those who hated the original movie, you might end up liking the series because it's not entirely about the movie but also consists of more drama off-stage than on it.
Prior to premiering on Disney+, 'High School Musical: The Musical: The Series' will premiere on ABC and Freeform November 8. Check your local listings for more information.