"Previously on High School Musical The Musical: The Series"
Thanksgiving is all about sharing secret talents
and discovering new co-stars
Learning the meaning of humility
and giving thanks for making new friends
I just hope Miss Jenn had a nice night off
with her large extended family
Excuse me, kids!
Oh, my gosh! What happened?
It's okay, nobody was hurt
There was a small fire in the theater over the holiday
and the sprinklers did their job
We're almost done in here
just have to finish up in the faculty room next
Some circuits blew in there over the break
We fell asleep, we smelled smoke we pulled the fire alarm
and Benjamin Mazzara said "Run", so I ran
I will donate my entire salary to rebuild the theater
But the show must go on
Unfortunately the show cannot go on
What?
Fire ripped through half of your costumes
and the sprinklers ruined a bunch of your sets
I... I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to red tag
the entire backstage area for a month at least
Did she just say costumes?
Okay, okay, listen up
Hug your neighbor take a moment
and let's all reconvene in the cafeteria after school
to talk about our options
Nini and Ricky, spread the word
Got it, yes, of course
Ricky? Ricky?
Sorry, after school in the cafeteria, got it
I... It's just, I'm the props guy
so it's kind of a hard day
I... I guess if you hold it like this you can't tell it got ruined
Okay, guys!
Wait, where's Gina?
I think she's going through a family thing right now
Okay, prayers to our Gina
I'm really not sure what to say
You've all worked so hard I've seen all of you grow so much
But if we don't have a theater we don't have a show
Wait, what?
Come on, Miss Jenn we've got to do something
I think we... I don't know, I guess we could consider other venues?
What about the old Kingston downtown?
It's condemned
The... The Lucky Ducky Puppet Pavilion?
It's a massive Starbucks now
How about the El Rey?
- Yes - That's brilliant, dude
Any other ideas?
Miss Jenn, I feel like you just had a really weird reaction
to what I just said
Sorry, what did you say?
Carlos is asking if we can try and use the El Rey Theater
My Uncle Ruben is the listing agent
and the last thing they had in there was a fashion show
like, four years ago
This place has five-hundred seats
What?
Four ninety-eight but who's counting
Wait, that's actually pretty sweet
I can't imagine we would be able to get in on such short notice
Ruben, can we use the theater for our show?
Si, si, si
Sounded like a yes to me!
The El Rey Theater it is!
Miss Jenn, aren't you excited?
Yes, I am that feeling
Wildcats, let's grab all the props and costumes
that didn't get damaged and let's load out
They say that one way to heal from a bad memory
is to immerse yourself back in that memory
This should be extremely healing
- On your right, heads up! - Oh, sorry!
Don't apologize! This is like, a weird adventure!
Looks like the cast is in pretty good spirits
Yes, actors, man
Fire or no fire, they still have their charm and perfect skin
I know it's a little silly, but I feel like I lost a little piece of myself
when all those costumes went up in flames
I hear you, that paper mache
basketball took me three weeks to make
Three weeks?
I kept gluing my fingers together
Hey, Carlos
I was thinking if there's any emergency money
I could run up and replace some of the costumes and...
Let's stick a pin in that, Kourt
Right now, the only priority is making sure we can put up a show
At least we have the El Rey!
Hey, maybe I should carry that
- Why? - N... N... No reason
- No, I'm fine to carry it - It's just a little bit sensitive
Are we still talking about the box?
It's actually Miss Jenn's show file
Script breakdowns, set sketches and all of her audition notes
You mean this says why which people got which parts?
No further comment, thank you
I don't know I'm kind of scared
Right this way, follow me
Smell that smell, the theater
Mold, it's a sign of life
Everyone, watch your step
And, let me know if you haven't had a tetanus shot recently, okay?
Hey, sis, how you holding up?
I don't know, Kourt I actually feel l weirdly guilty
Almost like I caused this? Like, it's a sign
How could you have caused this?
I kind of had a strange weekend
and started thinking about applying to this performing arts school...
Hold up, performing arts school?
Yes, it's called the Youth Actors Conservatory
It's slightly amazing and also totally unimportant right now
I don't know what I was thinking
Y... You were going to spend senior year without me?
Look, my grandma got in my head about "finding new shores"
But that's over now and we have a show to save
This whole fire thing could've been a lot worse anyway
Yes, yes, for sure
Here's what I learned this week
the confessional thing went a bit too far
The truth is, I don't need to apologize for who I am
Whatever it says in Miss Jenn's audition file, I am me
and that is the only me I need to be
"Next Armie Hammer"
"Oh, classic Troy on paper"
"Lacks emotional connection to the material"
Can we move that to... Thank you
Once we get the set...
Hey, you're really good I'm really proud of you
- Oh, really? - Okay, good! Okay!
Let's have some real talk welcome to tech rehearsal
I don't know if you've noticed
but most of the tech in this particular theater appears
to be hand-cranked
Natalie Bagley, my dear my stage manager
this is your chance to be the hero
Wher... Wher... Where is she?
What? What is it? What's happening?
Natalie Bagley's getting her wisdom teeth out
Okay
Okay, so, I'm down a stage manager, my "Taylor's" MIA
Gina's okay
She's a fighter and she'll be back for opening night
- Did she text you? - No, you?
Totally normal just, heads-up, from now on
All righty, big Red, do you know how to hang a light?
I know how to hang out?
Cool, Carlos, let's set marks to light "Status Quo"
Troy and Gabriella find somewhere quiet
and run the rooftop scene It's been a while
and I need you opening night ready by dinner time, okay?
So, we're staying through dinner?
I have baking club tonight...
Which is completely irrelevant in the midst of our tragedy
This is going to work, I can feel it
Clear the stage! Let's go!
Hey, you okay? It's a lot
I... I just don't know how to make things light up
You walk into a room
Seriously though
I've been through a few tech rehearsals in my day
just holler if you need me
Thanks, Ash
You got this
Yikes, this place is not creepy at all
Right?
Yes
So, how you been?
Fine, and you?
I'm okay
Look, about the other night at Ashlyn's party...
Oh, no, it's totally fine, I get it
You do?
Yes, I mean I said something nice
you acted like a punk what is there to discuss?
Cool, then we don't have to talk at all
Sounds like a plan
For the record, you're the one who called me your "buddy"
and I've been iced out for weeks so maybe it was building up
And that's that on that
Okay, glad you got that out of your system?
Yes, actually I am
- Excellent! Page fifty-three? - Page fifty-three
- This should be fun - I'm all about the work
Okay, we just need to nail down our lighting and our sound
and, ta-da, we've got a show
I need some bodies for the rooftop scene
- I can do Troy - Fine
Or at least some people think so
Carlos, stand in for Gabriella
Do we have a working lightboard? Do we have a working light switch?
Found it!
Sorry everyone
My uncle Ruben said that there was going to be some leftover stuff
from the fashion show
I guess, the theme was eighties rave?
In a nuclear reactor?
Big Red, do we have anything more flattering?
Working on it!
Okay, Troy, basketball stuff Gabriella, math stuff
nobody doesn't cry, and we end up here center stage
Gabriella, give us your cue
"Remember in kindergarten you would meet a kid"
"know nothing about them then ten seconds later"
"you're best friends?"
Yes
"Singing with you felt like that"
Look, I never thought about singing, that's for sure
Until you
And now, I don't want to stop ever
That's excellent and a little weird
Big Red, can we hit these guys with a spotlight?
I'll look for it
What is happening right now?
I'm just emoting Carlos, feel free to join me
This is a tech rehearsal and I'm your choreographer
Okay, boys, let's not wait for the lights
Just stand on your marks and gimme your cue again?
I never thought about singing that's for sure
Until you
And now, I don't want to stop ever
EJ?
Yes
Are you sick?
Wait a minute I know what's going on here
Big Red, did you do that?
No
I...
"Remember in kindergarten you would meet a kid"
"know nothing about them then ten seconds later"
"you were best friends?"
"Yes"
"Singing with you felt like that"
"I never thought about singing that's for sure"
"Until you"
"And now, I don't want to stop ever"
You know what, I know these lines
Should we just lose the scripts?
For sure, yes, okay
Remember in kindergarten you would meet a kid
know nothing about them
and then ten seconds later you're best friends?
Yes
Singing with you felt like that
I never really thought about singing, that's...
Actually, sorry, do you remember, in kindergarten
when I couldn't pronounce your name?
You had a hard time with vowels back then
Plus, I, never really loved the name Nina anyway
I couldn't say my A's
So, I called her Nini and it just...
It just sort of stuck
I still can't think of you as a Nina
You could just call me "buddy"
Sorry about that one wasn't a good day for me
Yes, I get it
And just for the record, I was Richard Bowen until first grade
when you started calling me Ricky
So, pot, kettle
Okay, I'm sorry, but nobody under the age of fifty
should be named Richard and I couldn't look you in the eye
Was it the name or the fact
that I microwaved your Barbie that year...
Maybe both
Man... I guess we've had a few mishaps
Yes, more me than you, right?
I mean, remember when I took out your lemonade stand
doing that wheelie?
Yes, I do
And then, was it fourth grade
when I ate your science project about moldy bread?
I think we both suffered on that one
And then I couldn't even say "I love you"
when you wrote me that song
Do you...
Maybe we should warm up our voices
Yes, yes, good idea we do
Yes, just in case we have to sing later
Smart Yes, good plan
Okay, let's pretend we figured out the lighting
If we've got a sound system we've got a show
I need someone to sing for microphone levels
Who's not doing anything?
Kourtney is an amazing singer
I'm a singer, not an actor
This voice is for church
Thank you for volunteering
Just sing anything from the show
Doesn't matter what no judgment
This is a safe space
"I believe in dreaming"
"Shooting for the stars"
"Baby, to be number one"
"You got to raise the bar"
"Yes, we're going to"
"Bop, bop, bop bop to the top"
"Slip and slide and ride that rhythm"
"Jump and hop"
"Hop until we drop"
"And start again"
"Zip, zap, zop hop like a mop"
"Scoot around the corner"
"Move it to the groove"
"until the music stops"
Kourtney, honey that was a wow
Yes, Kourt!
Unfortunately, it seems we have now broken the sound system
the lights, and possibly me
Carlos, could you please clear the theater right now?
So good!
Miss Jenn, are you okay? You've been acting a little...
I'm fine, I just need a minute or a vacation, it's not clear
Okay, everyone, follow me we are going to take a long five?
You looked in the audition files didn't you?
Oh, boy
I tried to warn you, those were for Miss Jenn's eyes only
Not a problem, because apparently I don't have emotions
Sometimes you do have a way of performing
that doesn't exactly feel authentic
Then what was I just doing onstage?
That felt more like an allergic reaction
And what's authentic to you ,Carlos?
A forest full of human beings?
That concept may need a little bit of time
And so do I
Miss Jenn? I don't think I'm alone in noticing that you seem a little...
On edge?
I was going to say fully freaked out
- This is where I was sitting - Sitting for what?
The Utah premiere of the High School Musical movie
This entire row was filled with family, friends
But the only audience I cared about was Lucas Grabeel
- You may know him as... - Ryan
I had one line in the movie
He was the only lead who came up to me on set and said
"You really nailed that line Jessica"
I didn't have the heart to tell him my real name
But they cut it
They cut my line "Is that the last apple?"
I have a line here did I miss it?
That night set me back seven years
My confidence was shattered
What happened?
Is Kenny Ortega here?
Miss, will you please come with me?
No, I'm in the movie
No, don't "Miss" me
I... Did you hear my line?
"Is that the last apple?"
That's terrible
Thank you, Ashlyn
You know, if it helps
you inspired me to write a whole song about regrets
I know, and now nobody will ever hear it
because our PA system died faster than my career in New York
Miss Jenn, I think you need to find a quiet place
and, like, forgive yourself
Use these my lucky crystals
Haven't let me down once
Use them how?
Whatever feels right
You need to trust yourself the way...
I don't know the way we all trust you
"Me, me, me me, me, me, me, me, me"
"You, you, you you, you, you, you, you, you"
"Me, me, me me, me, me, me, me, me"
"Nini, Nini, Nini, Nini, Ni..."
All right, Ricky, let's focus
Oh, hang on
It's Gina
"Sorry, drama with my mom's job"
"I think we have to leave a day early"
I feel so bad for her
I can't even imagine
After all that work just up and leaving
I get it, though moving is a big deal
I mean, I just mentioned this performing arts school
I was looking at to Kourtney and...
she was not exactly thrilled for me
Wait, that's amazing
- You... Like a drama school? - It's in Denver
Yes, it's never going to happen
It's like super-elite they would never take me
What? You're like, one-in-a-million talented
- What are you talking about? - You've never left Salt Lake
you don't know how much talent there is out there
That's not fair, my parents took me to Disneyland once
and I met a very talented Minnie Mouse
Yes, Minnie Mouse your first crush
Actually she was my second...
Hey, guys? Hey guys
we're... We're ordering pizza while Miss Jenn is having
some kind of real time mid-life crisis
You both good with pepperoni and soy cheese?
- Yes, oh, yes - Yes, that sounds good to me
- Super good - Is it good for you?
Cool
C... Cool
Hey! I heard you singing earlier
Oh, yes?
You're not going to quit makeup crew, are you?
Sorry, I know you're multi-talented or whatever
I just think you have a gift for making things look better
I mean, the Sharpay makeup?
Y... You made me look the way I feel
Well, I'm not going to quit my day job, but I don't like categories
You know, why limit yourself to one thing, right?
Right, cool
And, the singing was amazing too
You can do anything, I mean
I know that, Sebby and you can, too
Okay
Hey, it's been a long time
Should we go ask what's going on?
She's having a moment
Maybe you can go and ask her
I don't want to freak her out more with my lifeless eyes
Anyway, whatever, it's...
You were right, by the way
Forest of Boys was a mess and coming here was a huge mistake
I have no business taking charge of anything
No, you stepped up, dude
You always do, and...
if I'm being honest, it's... you know...
Stupid?
Admirable
EJ, was that a compliment?
Don't make me start emoting
Okay, well, the words were a four but the sentiment was a solid ten
I'm going to walk away now
I can do this, I can do this I can do this
The past is the past and I can still pull off this show
Somehow
Ashlyn, honey, is that you?
I can't tell if the crystals are working
Ryan, is that you?
It's Lucas, Jennifer
You remember me? You actually know my name?
Of course, I do
This is your contractually obligated dream sequence
Being back here, it reminds me of that scene in the cafeteria
Remember when I asked about the apple?
Jennifer, let it go
But I can't, when that line went away, I think I lost my way too
You know what you need?
A time machine?
I was going to say a song
"Those kids They do believe in you"
"And that's worth so much more"
"Than a line about a piece of fruit"
"Or a Tony Award"
I was going for an EGOT
Let's not get ahead of ourselves
"Think of this as the role of a lifetime"
"It's the part you were born to play"
"Keeping their dreams in your sightline"
"Now it's their turn to take the stage"
"Think of this as a role to remember"
- "Like Elphaba or Eponine" - I'm more of a Glinda
"It's all of the things you could ever bring to a scene"
"You know what I mean"
"So give it your all"
"Right from the start"
"You got to play this from the heart"
"You're their teacher you're the lead"
"And you're off book now"
"Give it a go"
"Show them the way"
"We're all in this together at the end of the day"
"I should know, after all I played Ryan"
- "Ryan" - "Ryan..."
"Is this the role of a lifetime?"
"The part I was born to play?"
"Showing them how to smile in the bright lights"
"Now it's their turn to take the stage"
"This could be a role to remember"
"Like Elsa or Eva Peron"
"I'll teach them to channel their feelings"
"I'll share what I know"
"And live for the show"
"I'll give it my all"
"Right from the start"
"I got to play this from the heart"
"I'm their teacher I'm the lead"
"And I'm off book now"
"Give it a go"
"Show them the way"
"You got to let the music play"
"This is now and the rest is history"
"I felt small, I couldn't breathe"
"When they took that apple from me"
"But you're right here now"
"And you never know when you'll get a cameo"
"Cameo"
"So give it your all"
"Right from the start"
"You got to let them play their parts"
Tonight, all the roles will be played by the drama students of East High
"Give it a go"
"Show them the way"
"You got to let the music play"
"This is now and we're making history"
"History..."
Miss Jenn, say something!
Sorry, was that last one too hard?
I'm the teacher
Yes?
And we're making history everything's going to be okay
I know where we have to go
- Broadway? - Back to East High
Oh, my God! How hard did I hit you?
- Dude? - Talk about it in the car
"We come back here tomorrow and one of us"
"This can't get wrinkled because it'll show"
Hey, are you okay?
Yes, I just... almost did something really stupid
Do you want to talk about it?
No, it's over it was just a moment
Okay
Oh, hey! I heard you sang a song
It was ridiculous
Yes, that's what I heard, except maybe not in the way you mean it
No, honestly, Kourt, yo... you have the best voice in school
I don't know about all of that but I'll say this
I can tell why you like it up there
See you in the car?
- Yes, I'll catch up - Okay
Look, I'm not going to give up on costumes or makeup
But, for the first time, I see why Nini wants this so bad
And if she's not going to put herself out there, I'll do it for her
"Youth Actors Conservatory how can I direct your call?"