Disney is rebooting the beloved High School Musical series for its brand-new streaming service, and this time as a TV series.
For starters, the show’s name is High School Musical: The Musical, and it will be shot docu-style as the story plays out over the course of 10 episodes. Strangely enough, the students at East High will be performing High School Musical as their actual winter theater musical. Huh?
Well, according to The Hollywood Reporter, the series will follow the students as they “realize that as much drama happens off-stage as on stage.” What’s more, every episode will feature a brand-new rendition of a song from the first film, along with an original song.
Breaking news! Casting has started for a High School Musical TV series! Go Wildcats! ? pic.twitter.com/ND3bTFGiv4
— RADIO DISNEY (@radiodisney) September 6, 2018
The cast has yet to be decided, but casting is on the hunt for eight series regular roles (though no sight of Troy or Gabriella). Think you have what it takes to star in the new show? Check out the descriptions from The Hollywood Reporter for the eight characters, below.
Ricky: Described as “a snarky sweetheart” and “a B-minus student,” Ricky is also dating fellow student Nini but their unexpected breakup is what gives him the idea to star opposite her in the school play in an effort to win her back. Voted “Most likely to sleep through his alarm.”
Nini: It’s finally Nini’s time to go from chorus girl to star, and she also has a brand-new boyfriend from Summer camp on her arm. She is described as “an iron butterfly” and was voted “most likely to have a Hamilton lyric as her senior quote.”
E.J.: Completing the love triangle between Nini and Ricky is E.J., who is “the type of ambitious entrepre-nerd who brings homemade props to auditions.” He is competitive to a fault and isn’t going to let anything (or anyone) get in his way of co-starring with Nini in the musical. Voted “Most likely to report another student for cheating on a test.”
Ashlyn: Brash and gutsy, Ashlyn’s mouthy attitude covers “new kid” self-doubt. A slightly woo-woo horoscope reader, she’s finding her place in the school hierarchy. Worships Sara Bareilles and is an aspiring songwriter on the sly. Can’t wait till she’s old enough to vote, and she’ll march and protest in the meantime. Whether she’s cast in the musical or not, she’s got her eye on student council. Voted “Most likely to read your palm.”
Big Red: Ricky’s lifelong wingman. Big Red is weirdly devastated by Ricky and Nini’s breakup. He has secretly crushed on Nini since middle school, and her breakup with Ricky proves a moral best-friend dilemma. He joins the backstage crew to be “Nini-adjacent.” Wants to start a garage band, but keeps forgetting to learn an instrument. Voted “Most likely to believe aliens are real, bruh.”
Gina: Would call herself a “wonderstudy.” A polished pro with an Equity card and the unwavering belief that the drama teacher made a HUGE mistake not casting her as a lead. Gina is an entitled princess, but her ambition pales in comparison with her stage mother’s. Posts Instagram videos of her singing that go viral — and makes Nini seriously start to doubt her own talent. Voted “Most likely to push you down a flight of stairs.”
Vikram: Captain of the color guard and the student choreographer of High School Musical. Beyoncé is his iPhone lockscreen wallpaper, and he already has his Tony Award for Best Choreography speech written out. Voted “Most likely to stage a flash mob on a field trip.”
Miss Jenn: The school’s new drama teacher, Miss Jenn is high-energy and low-reality. She truly believes musicals can save lives. If only she believed in telling the truth on her résumé. She’s moved back home to Utah after she left New York under mysterious circumstances, packing up in a hurry. Forces student choreographer Vikram to do a Kickstarter for the musical when the school board won’t give her the $50,000 budget she asks for. Suffers serious imposter syndrome and would ultimately do anything for these kids.
There’s still no official release date for the show, but since Disney’s streaming service is set to launch sometime in late 2019, you can bet a premiere date will be around the same time.