JENN: Previously on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series...
Act One scored on every level.
Sure, there were some last-minute cast changes.
But the show reached new heights and everyone's true colors shined.
And now for a flawless Act Two.
What did you do to Ricky?
I didn't do anything. He asked me to fill in.
So it's true. You're actually going on as Troy.
Yep.
I guess a certain part of me wants to say congratulations.
Yeah, and a certain part of me wants to throw up.
Wait, if you're Troy, then who's playing Chad?
-Oh... -Buckle up, Wildcats!
You ready, bro?
Pray for me.
(CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Act Two, everyone. Lots more fun ahead. Act Two.
-Carlos is wonderful! -MAN: Okay.
-I hope you're so proud. -All right. Thank you. Yes.
Ricky is amazing. Wait till you see him in Act Two.
Lookin' forward to it.
-(AUDIENCE LAUGHING) -NINI: It just happened.
But I liked it.
A lot.
Taylor, do you ever feel like there's this whole other person inside of you,
just looking for a way to come out?
(CHUCKLES LIGHTLY) Not really. No.
(AUDIENCE LAUGHS)
(SCHOOL BELL RINGING)
Oh. Come on. Let's go.
(APPLAUSE)
That button turns on the confetti cannon for the finale.
This controls all the body mics.
Now, when in doubt, bring all the lighting to a low dim and call it "ambience."
You know a lot about technical theater for a STEM teacher.
My robotics shows are famously elaborate.
Good luck.
(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)
(GASPS) Wow, um,
-I think we kinda nailed it. -(LAUGHS)
Yeah.
-Wait, what's wrong? -(PANTS)
You've played a lot more leading roles than I have.
What do you do when there's
someone in the audience who could change your life?
Nini, listen.
You're a great actor.
So just act like someone who knows what she's doing.
Does that ever work?
Works for me everywhere I go.
It's my greatest trick.
Also, sort of my only trick.
Oh, you have a ton of tricks.
Yeah, well,
I saved my best one for tonight.
Mm/ (CHUCKLES)
The Disappearing Gina Act.
(SIGHS) Mm.
-Come here. -(GINA SNIFFLES)
(PHONE LINE RINGING)
(VOICEMAIL) This is Nini. Talk to me-me.
(LINE BEEPS)
(MUFFLED APPLAUSE)
(SIGHS)
(TYPING)
Wow. So this is your real stage.
I guess you could call it that. Or just a smelly gym.
What?
What's going on? Where's Ricky?
Where is Ricky?
Whoa.
Don't tell me you're good at hoops, too?
Um...
I once scored 41 points at a league championship game.
No way.
Uh, yeah, in the same day I invented the space shuttle and microwave popcorn.
-(LAUGHS) -(AUDIENCE LAUGHING)
(SIGHS, WHISPERS) No, EJ, I'm serious. Why isn't Ricky...
This was his idea.
Just trust me for once, okay?
(SIGHS)
Miss, I'm sorry. This is a closed practice.
Dad, practice is over.
Uh, no, it's all good. I'll be getting on my way.
Uh, we can stay and shoot some hoops. Right, bro?
And I expect to see you back in detention pronto
to prepare for the musicale, young man.
Hang on. East High is about basketball, not dance numbers.
If you wanted to do theater, you should have stayed in New York, Ms. Darbus.
Boom.
(AUDIENCE LAUGHS)
(AUDIENCE APPLAUDING)
(PIANO MUSIC PLAYING)
(SINGING) Seems like a part of me will always have to lose
Every single time I have to choose
Swore that it felt right, but was I wrong?
Is this where I'm supposed to be at all?
I don't have the answers, not today
It's like nothing makes the questions go away
What I'd give to see...
There you are.
Hey.
Are you okay?
Yeah. Check your texts.
Well, is it stage fright?
Because people are counting on you, honey. You've made a commitment to this.
(SCOFFS) You're one to talk about commitment.
I'm sorry?
It's not about nerves, okay?
It's about doing something for somebody I care about.
Okay, Ricky, what's going on?
Why'd you bring him to the show?
Todd?
Uh...
I wanted him to meet you.
I didn't tell you before 'cause I don't wanna throw you off.
So you waited until I levitated above a basketball hoop
and had to see him put his arm around you?
-No, Ricky... -How do you think Dad feels?
Honestly...
I think Dad is happy that I'm happy.
You two looked plenty happy before the show started.
You were hugging. I saw it.
It was like... (SCOFFS)
It was like how it used to be.
Ricky.
Not all couples are meant to be together.
Sometimes people change.
I've gotta...
I wanna watch this. Support Seb and stuff.
Oh, Ricky...
CARLOS: Seb, what's the matter?
The music's vamping so long I feel like I'm stuck in an elevator.
I don't know if I can do this.
What? You are the only person who can pull this off.
My family bought out three rows of the bleachers.
I don't wanna let them down.
Seb.
Count your blessings, and dance your heart out.
Bop to the sky, baby.
Whoo!
(AUDIENCE CHEERING)
SEB: (SINGING) I believe in dreamin', shooting for the stars
Baby, to be number one, you've got to raise the bar
Kicking and a scratching, grinding out my best
You picked up all of these skills today?
I think I'm starting to get it. It's kinda like a video game, right?
Young man, have you considered applying to my robotics club?
-(CELL PHONE CHIMES) -What?
"SOS! Don't freak out, but EJ is going on as Troy.
"I am so sorry.
"My mom's boyfriend showed up and I'm a mess.
"You deserve a real leading man out there in front of that scout."
Uh, well I guess that's sort of sweet in a really dumb way.
(MUFFLED CHEERING AND APPLAUDING)
Hey!
-What happened to you? -(SIGHS)
It's a long story. I could ask you the same thing.
Also a long story. I got a last-minute flight.
Yeah? So did Todd.
Is Todd the only reason you left the show?
Honestly...
This is Nini's big moment.
The best thing I could do for her is just take a step back and watch.
Come on, then. Let's watch.
Uh, I don't know. Seeing that dude in my costume...
Nightmare fuel for sure.
But we owe it to the team.
Let's go watch EJ Caswell sweep himself off his feet.
(CHUCKLES)
I'm glad you came back.
(GINA CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
And that's showbiz.
-(AUDIENCE LAUGHS AND APPLAUDS) -(PIANO MUSIC BEGINS)
(SINGING) We're soarin', flying
There's not a star in heaven that we can't reach
If we're tryin' So we're breakin' free
I can't do it, Troy. Not with all these people staring at me.
Look at me, Gabby. Right at me.
Like the first time we sang together.
-Like kindergarten, remember? -(DOOR OPENS)
Like kindergarten, remember?
(NINI SIGHS SOFTLY)
(PIANO MUSIC RESUMES)
(AUDIENCE MURMURS)
Remember kindergarten?
There's nothing like the friends you made back then.
And they never really leave, do they?
What are you doing?
Something right, I hope.
I'm gonna play to lose.
I'm not the Troy you want. (CHUCKLES LIGHTLY)
(AUDIENCE MURMURING)
(PIANO MUSIC CONTINUES)
(SINGING) You know the world can see us
In a way that's different than who we are
Creating space between us
Till we're separate hearts
I'm really not at my best.
Just look at me, Ricky.
Right at me.
(SOFT STRING MUSIC PLAYS)
But your faith, it gives me strength
Strength to believe
We're breaking free
-We're soarin' -(AUDIENCE CHEERS)
Flyin'
There's not a star in heaven That we can't reach
If we're tryin'
Yeah, we're breakin' free
-Oh, we're breakin' free -RICKY: Ooh, whoa
NINI: More than hope...
Some wonderstudies we are, huh?
Hell yeah, we are.
Thank you.
For buying me that plane ticket.
It just didn't seem fair for you to miss all this.
RICKY AND NINI: Both of us breakin' free
Soarin'
Flyin'
There's not a star in heaven That we can't reach
If we're tryin'
-Yeah, we're breakin' free -Breakin' free
-We're runnin' -Ooh, climbin'
To get to the place To be all that we can be
-Now's the time -Now's the time
So we're breaking free
-Oh, we're breakin' free -Ooh, oh
You know the world can see us
In a way that's different than who we are
(CHEERING AND APPLAUDING)
Whoo! Yeah, Ricky!
Whoo! Nini!
What just happened?
That...
just happened.
(UPBEAT DRUMMING)
(SINGING) Together, together Together everyone
(AUDIENCE CHEERING)
Together, together Come on, let's have some fun
Together We're there for each other every time
Together, together Come on, let's do this right
Together, together Together everyone
Together, together Come on, let's have some fun
Hey, can I ask you a question?
Uh, can it wait until after we bow?
-Yeah. -Okay.
We're all in this together
Once we know That we are
We're all stars And we see that
We're all in this together
And it shows When we stand
Hand in hand Make our dreams come true
We're all in this together
When we reach We can fly
Know inside We can make it
We're all in this together
Once we see There's a chance
That we have And we take it
Wildcats sing along
Yeah, you really got it goin' on
Wildcats in the house Everybody say it now
Where is she going? This isn't the choreography.
We're all in this together
When we reach We can fly
Know inside We can make it
You know what to say.
Is that the last apple?
(CHEERING AND WHISTLING)
This is kinda the best.
Oh, honey, wait till you see what I picked for the spring musical.
(SINGING CONTINUES) Know inside We can make it
We're all in this together
Once we see There's a chance
That we have And we take it
Wildcats everywhere
Wave your hands up in the air
That's the way we do it Let's get to it
Come on, everyone
(WHISTLING AND CHEERING)
Well, I guess my hope of publicizing the robotics program
came too little, too late.
Guess again, rock star.
(ALL EXCLAIM)
BIG RED: Whoo!
I don't think he's ever been part of anything before.
But he's finally found his thing.
BIG RED'S DAD: Big Red the Third, doin' the name right.
-Thank you, sweetie. Oh, my goodness. -Aw. Come here.
(ALL CHEERING)
ALL: (CHANTING) Wildcats! Wildcats! Wildcats! Wildcats!
Wildcats! Wildcats! Wildcats! Wildcats! Wildcats!
SEB: So, who are the flowers for?
Everybody, hold.
We've got a card, people.
"To Ashlyn.
"Because you get me."
EJ! Really?
(SNORTS) I didn't write that.
I did.
Okay, if you guys stay in here any longer, your parents are gonna riot in the lobby.
Hey, um, have you seen Nini?
Um, she's packing up. That boarding school person took off.
I think she's taking it pretty hard.
(SIGHS)
(EXHALES)
-RICKY: Hey! There you are. -Hey.
I was wondering where you went.
Yeah, just making sure I have everything I need.
Sorry that teacher chick left. She doesn't know what she's missing.
No. It's okay. (CHUCKLES)
You sure?
(EXHALES) Honestly, I was kinda dying to get in all of a sudden.
But now she's gone and it looks like I'm meant to be at East High.
So, that's okay.
Yeah.
Oh, uh, what was your question?
Hmm?
The question you were gonna ask me before we bowed?
Oh. (CHUCKLES)
Yeah. No, I was just, um...
I was just gonna say, what happens now?
What do you mean?
Um, I've never opened a show, or closed one.
So, like, what happens now?
Usually the theater kids cry, and then we go to Denny's.
(LAUGHS)
I mean, now that it's all over.
Uh...
Don't you and Big Red have, like, three months of video games to catch up on?
(CHUCKLES) Yeah. I guess so.
(CHUCKLES LIGHTLY)
Is that it?
Um... (CLEARS THROAT)
Great job tonight, Ricky.
I love you.
(NERVOUS CHUCKLE)
I've loved you since the first time you picked up your ukulele
and you wrote a song about clouds, a silly little song about clouds.
I love you.
And that night in your room
when you told me you loved me, I meant to say it. I meant to say it.
And I've kicked myself every day since then because I didn't say it.
But I do. I love you.
I've loved you since seventh grade
when I made you ride in the front row of Demon's Destiny at Six Flags,
and you told me you sometimes get a little seasick on roller coasters,
and I said, "Come on, live a little."
-I remember. -Yeah.
And then I puked all over your shoes and you didn't even make me feel bad about it.
No. You just said, um...
"No worries. I've been wanting to get rid of these shoes for a while."
Yeah, because you outgrew them.
The thing is...
I never outgrew you.
And I don't really know what happens tomorrow,
or in two minutes when we walk out that door.
-(CHUCKLES SOFTLY) -All I know is...
I want this feeling to keep going.
Because this whole experience...
I'm just...
I'm not ready for it to be over.
For us to be, I mean.
And if that means doing another musical, then fine.
-I get to pick the musical. -Fine. That's fine. It's all fine.
I just... I don't want this to be just be a showmance. Really.
I want it to be the real thing.
I mean, I think it is the real thing, I just... (SIGHS)
I want a chance to prove it. I do.
I mean, look...
Ricky, um, you know in musicals
when people burst into song when they've run out of things to say?
Yeah?
Sometimes it's easier to just kiss.
-Yeah? -(CHUCKLES) Yeah.
RICKY: Yeah.
-(RICKY EXHALES) -Hey, wait.
What's this?
-Open it. -What?
(LAUGHS)
Okay.
"To Freaky Callback Boy."
-(GIGGLES) -Wow.
This is nice. (CHUCKLES)
I am a guy who wears necklaces now, apparently.
Yeah.
And I also feel less stupid for doing this.
"To Freaky Math Girl." Of course.
There's a song, too. I, uh...
(CHUCKLES) I kinda owe you one.
-(KNOCK ON DOOR) -Uh, knock, knock.
Nini, your moms are asking for you, and I think your grandma wants pictures.
Got it.
-I should probably... -Yeah.
-One more. -Mm.
-(BOTH CHUCKLE) -Okay.
RICKY: I'll catch up.
-Gotta get this makeup off. -Okay.
(NINI CHUCKLES)
Cast party at Ashlyn's, you guys! Everybody's invited!
-I'm in. -Wait, didn't we just do a party?
What can I say? I was born to rage.
I smell a-choosical redo-sical!
I made up some new questions.
-(MISS JENN GASPS) -Gina, wait.
Hey, you coming?
Uh... (SIGHS) I can't. Flying back in a couple hours.
Cancel it. You can spend the night in our guest room.
Honestly, you can stay through Christmas if you want.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Or, actually...
What?
I just had the craziest idea.
(SHORT CHUCKLE)
Mr. Mazzara!
-I have something to say to you. -Well, that makes two of us.
We finally figured out who started the fire in the theater.
-Faulty wiring? -Senior prank?
It was the two of you.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Hey! Thank you. Appreciate it.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
-Nini. -Oh, my gosh.
-Hi. -Uh... You're from the...
Conservatory. Kalyani Patel. It's nice to meet you.
I just... I, uh... I thought you left.
Ah. Forgive me for leaving before the curtain call.
I had an important phone call to make to the president of the board.
(SHORT CHUCKLE)
(SIGHS) Nini, you have talent.
But more than that, you have a unique voice,
and it's clear you have things to say.
I'd like to offer you a spot starting next month.
-Mm. -You'll let me know?
Yeah.
(GASPS)
Yo, Nini! You ready to go?
-(SIGHS SOFTLY) -Come on. Everyone's waiting.
Buckle up, Wildcats. You ain't seen nothin' yet.
(CHUCKLES LIGHTLY)
(SHOES CLACKING)
(TAP-DANCING)
(QUIETLY IMITATES AUDIENCE'S CHEER)
(CHUCKLING)
(GASPS SOFTLY)
Wow.
I have a lot of questions.
(BOTH LAUGHING)