5 Fun Facts From The D23 Expo High School Musical: the Musical: the Series (phew!) Panel
My Now Streaming Disney Plus co-host, Andrea, asked me what I was most excited about after D23 Expo. I didn’t hesitate: High School Musical: the Musical: the Series. Especially after seeing the first episode and cast interviews at the D23 Expo Panel. We’re all in this together, after all!
Table of Contents
High School Musical: the Musical: the Series (phew!) D23 Expo Panel
It’s got a crazy name, but, trust me- it works!
As a longtime Wildcat, I can tell you that I was completely on board when I heard there was a reboot coming. And I don’t always jump at the idea of reboots.
But this story still needs to be told and I knew the kids at East High wouldn’t let me down.
During the D23 Expo, I had a chance to see them perform live during the Disney+ Panel, watch the trailer, and then see the full episode in this later panel.
I was singing We’re All In This Together all weekend long, much to my roomie’s chagrin. But she did vow to go back and watch all three movies and tune in for the show after I gushed profusely about it on the No-Guilt Fangirls Podcast.
Podcast: Disney+ D23 Expo Panel Review
What Are The East High Wildcats Up To Now? 5 Fun Facts
Here are five fun facts I learned from my visit with the High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Cast.
1. First of all, they aren’t Wildcats.
East High never have been the Wildcats according to Mr. Mazzara, a no-nonsense teacher at the school. They are the East High Leopards.
2. This series isn’t only about a few big stars!
The side characters are getting their chance to shine as well.
Specifically called out for her moment by Showrunner Tim Federle was Julia Lester, who plays Ashlyn.
3. Who’s the biggest OG High School Musical fan?
They all love the original series (+1 from this fangirl!) but the entire cast looked down the row of chairs at one actor in particular.
Dara Renee (in all pink) got the vote for biggest HSM stan.
I guess that makes her my new BFF, eh? DONE!
4. All the songs were recorded live.
I mean, wow, that’s talent right there!
They did not record the songs and lipsync for video but did it all at once. Singing and dancing and hitting those marks AND notes.
Impressive, most impressive.
Wait until you see this cast and their chemistry. It will blow you away!
5. #TeamRicky or #TeamEJ?
The main story revolves around a love triangle of the characters Nini, Ricky and EJ.
And the cast couldn’t even decide which they were rooting for! Because you kinda love both of the guys vying for this girl’s attention.
However, one cast member confessed he was solidly #TeamRicky.
If you guessed Matt Cornett, who plays EJ of all people, you’d be right!
“Even I was on team Ricky during the filming!” he told us to a roar of laughter.
The 10-episode series debuts on Disney+ on November 12, 2019.
ps- we saw the first episode and it’s WONDERFUL! We laughed, we sighed, we sang along- it’s everything you want a HSM reboot to be (minus Zac Efron cameo, but hey, it still has my attention!)
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Trailer
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 theater can provide.
More D23 Expo Posts You’ll Love
2019 Disney Legends Honored at D23 Expo
Mind Blown and Money PAID: I Signed Up for Disney+
The Musical Journey of Disney’s Aladdin Panel
Patty Holliday is a parent movie reviewer, writer, and podcaster living in the Washington, DC area. Her goal is to bridge the gap between casual fandom and picky critic with parent movie and television reviews. As a lifelong fangirl and pop culture connoisseur, she’s been creating online since 2009. You can find her work at No-Guilt Disney.com, No-Guilt Fangirl.com, No-Guilt Life, and as host of the top-rated No-Guilt Disney Podcast.