Holy Nostalgia! The New High School Musical Series Will Become Your New Obsession

By: Molly Reinhard

When Disney announced its plan to create a new spinoff based on the classic Disney Channel Original Movie “High School Musical,” the reactions were mixed.

Some were hesitant to jump on board, concerned that modern-day Disney Channel would disgrace the original. Without Troy, Gabriella, and the rest of the Wildcats, how could this series compare? Still, the buzz grew as Sofia Wylie, one of the new show’s stars, gained popularity on TikTok.

The first episode of “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” was released on Disney Plus on Nov. 8., 2019. The streaming platform added new episodes of the 10-episode season every week until it’s conclusion on Jan. 10.

The show’s style and structure has been compared to that of “Glee,” but with more teen appropriate plot points. The show follows Nini, a talented student at East High with dreams of being a star, as the school’s drama department takes on their fall musical: “High School Musical: The Musical.” Every episode follows the process of putting on the musical, from auditions to tech rehearsals to opening night.

There are many things that make “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” great, one of which is the music. Everyone knows “We’re All In This Together” and “Breaking Free” from the original movie, and the music from the new series is able to compete.

The obsession with the music of the series began on TikTok, where the song “All I Want” went viral (and if you liked “All I Want,” check out “Just For A Moment”). This song caused the album to grow in popularity, which allowed the series to gain more viewers and fans. The entire album is filled with new songs AND revamps of the originals that do not disappoint.

The representation in the plot and the cast is another great aspect of the series. The cast is extremely diverse and its characters represent many different relatable characteristics. The series even features LGBTQ+ representation, something very uncommon for Disney. It hit the nail on the head when it comes to a relatable and realistic cast and plot, something that drew a lot of support from viewers.

Of course, the nostalgia of East High is truly what makes this show such a hit. The series incorporates many references to the original and some of the original cast members even make guest appearances. From Sharpay’s pink locker to the cafeteria, the memories of staying up late to watch the Disney Channel Original Movie will transport you right back to your childhood in the best way possible.

Cover Photo from Disneyplus.com