David Farnor | On 12, May 2021

“Why wouldn’t we do HSM 2?” That’s the sound of Disney bringing back High School Musical: The Musical: The Series back for a second season.

The show is set at the real-life East High, where the original High School Musical movie was filmed. Season 1 followed 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 offered a post-modern take on the classic film from 15 years ago. Show-mances blossomed; friendships were tested, while new ones are made; rivalries flared; and songs were sung, as the cast discovered the transformative power that high school theatre can provide.

Starring Joshua Bassett, Oliva Rodrigo, Matt Cornett, Sofia Wylie, Julia Lester, Larry Saperstein, Dara Reneé, Frankie A Rodriguez, Kate Reinders, and Mark St Cyr, the show was swiftly renewed for an encore by the House of Mouse.

Season 2 sees East High’s drama students return to enter the Alan Menken Awards for High School Musical Theatre with a production of Beauty and the Beast. Featuring reimagined musical numbers from the Beauty and the Beast stage production – and, of course, from the High School Musical movies – the series promises new competition, new drama and lots of new music.

It premieres on 14th May on Disney+, with episodes then arriving weekly. Here’s the trailer:

 

Disney+ renews High School Musical series for Season 2

28th October 2019

Disney+ has renewed its High School Musical series for Season 2.

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series is a 10-episode scripted series set at the real-life East High, where the original movie was filmed. It 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 15 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 theatre can provide.

The series stars Joshua Bassett, Oliva Rodrigo, Matt Cornett, Sofia Wylie, Julia Lester, Larry Saperstein, Dara Reneé, Frankie A. Rodriguez, Kate Reinders, and Mark St. Cyr.

The show sees Disney continuing its strategy to build upon existing franchises for its upcoming streaming service. In a display of confidence about that strategy, the House of Mouse has already ordered a second run for the show, before it has debuted on Disney+, which launches on 12th November in the USA, and in the UK early next year.

“We are incredibly excited to bring the next chapter of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series to Disney+. Tim and this talented cast have delivered a first season that is uplifting, funny, touching and relatable across generations. We are confident that the world, like us, will want much more of these characters, incredible songs and moments of joy,” Ricky Strauss, president, Content & Marketing, Disney+, said in a statement.

Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, added: “We challenged Executive Producer Tim Federle to re-imagine the world of ‘High School Musical’ for a contemporary audience. At every turn, Tim has delivered a show that’s imaginative, layered, optimistic and heartfelt, one that remains reverential to the original High School Musical premise while carving out its own identity with new characters, new relationships and both new and familiar songs.” He continued, “We’re thrilled to

The first episode will be broadcast on ABC, Disney Channel and Freeform on Friday 8th November, leading up to the Disney+ launch. The second episode will premiere Friday 15th November on Disney+, with new episodes arriving on the streaming service every Friday.

Production on Season 2 will resume in 2020 in Salt Lake City.

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