The cast has been revealed as production has started on Disney's new original series, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series for Disney's Disney+ streaming service that is set to launch in late-2019.
It's not yet clear whether Disney+ will launch globally, and if so include South Africa, or only be for the United States.
Depending on that, is not know yet whether High School Musical: The Musical: The Series would be shown on the Disney Channel (DStv 303) if The Walt Disney Company's Disney+ isn't made available in South Africa.
The 10-episode High School Musical: The Musical: The Series picks up nearly 15 years after the original Disney movie, set at the real-life location where it all began, East High.
The High School Musical: The Musical: The Series cast includes Joshua Bassett, Olivia Rodrigo, Kate Reinders, Sofia Wylie, Matt Cornett, Dara Reneé, Julia Lester, Frankie A. Rodriguez, Larry Saperstein and Mark St. Cyr.
Production is now underway in Salt Lake City, Utah developed and executive produced by Tim Federle alongside showrunner and executive producer Oliver Goldstick. Bill Borden and Barry Rosenbush from the original High School Musical trilogy are also executive producers.
Television and music video director Tamra Davis who've worked on FOX's Empire is directing the first 3 episodes. The choreographer is Zach Woodlee.
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series follows a group of students as they countdown to the opening night of their school's first-ever production of "High School Musical".
Showmances blossom; friendships are tested while new ones are made; rivalries flare and lives are changed forever as the young people discover the transformative power that only a high school drama club can provide.
Brand-new songs and acoustic "rehearsal room" reinterpretations of songs from the original "High School Musical" will provide the soundtrack for the unlikely group of theatre kids who learn "we're all in this together" when it comes to pulling off an against-all-odds opening night.
"The challenge we handed the creative team was Herculean. How do you recapture the joy and the magic of the original 'High School Musical' movie ... and simultaneously reimagine it completely?" says Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, in a statement.
"That's like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube blindfolded. And Tim and Oliver - and this amazingly talented and diverse cast and crew - have done exactly that!"
Agnes Chu, senior vice president of content for Disney+, says "We are truly excited about this extremely talented cast and the fresh and contemporary take on this globally-beloved franchise".
"From the music and dance to the characters and hilarious meta references, there is something here for fans of the originals, as well as people who are new to East High. It's going to be an unforgettable viewing experience".
"The challenge we handed the creative team was Herculean. How do you recapture the joy and the magic of the original 'High School Musical' movie ... and simultaneously reimagine it completely?" says Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, in a statement.
"That's like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube blindfolded. And Tim and Oliver - and this amazingly talented and diverse cast and crew - have done exactly that!"
Agnes Chu, senior vice president of content for Disney+, says "We are truly excited about this extremely talented cast and the fresh and contemporary take on this globally-beloved franchise".
"From the music and dance to the characters and hilarious meta references, there is something here for fans of the originals, as well as people who are new to East High. It's going to be an unforgettable viewing experience".
