by Michelle Willson, Feature/Entertainment Editor
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series is a ten-episode series about East High, the school where High School Musical was filmed, putting on their first-ever school production of High School Musical.
I started the series with high expectations. I loved High School Musical growing up and I didn’t think anything could compete but this series blew me away.
The series follows Nini (Olivia Rodrigo) cast as Gabriella and her ex-boyfriend Rickie (Joshua Bassett) cast as Troy. Viewers watch Nini struggle to act across from Rickie and how it causes drama in her current relationship.
More drama unravels with jealous understudies trying to sabotage the leads, but it is clear nothing is going to get in the way of the production because “the show must go on.” Even if that means changes in venue, crew or last-minute cast changes.
There are even a few familiar faces that appear throughout the series.
There are a couple of new songs in the series because the series itself is also a musical. Only one of the new songs makes it into East High’s High School Musical production.
Ashlyn (Julia Lester) is cast as Ms. Darbous, the theatre director. She writes and sings a beautiful power ballad called “Wondering” which is one of my favorite parts of the series. Along with the new songs, you will also hear all of your favorites from the original movie.
I am glad the series showed some of the behind the scenes of a production. I feel that people who have never been in theatre don’t realize how chaotic putting on a show is or how vital a crew is to a production. With out a crew their is no lights, sounds, costumes or makeup. All are extremely important when actors are portraying things to an audience.
Just like every production, there has to be a final curtain call. The last episode closes their production and the series ends but something tells me this is not the last we have heard from East High.
If you liked shows like Glee, Degrassi, Boy/Girl Meets World or the original High School Musicals, this series is right up your ally. The series shows the struggles of high school, crushes and their home life.
I give this series a 4.5 out of 5. The characters storylines are relevant and easy to follow. There were a few scenes that I felt might have been overdone or could have been handled better, but all in all I loved the series and will probably watch it again.