HSM:TM:TS… BATB?
Disney+’s “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” is shifting gears heading into Season 2, confusingly taking on an entirely different musical than the one in its many-coloned title.
“The outpouring of love and support for season one has been incredibly exciting, and I’m thrilled that the Wildcats are putting on ‘Beauty and the Beast’ in season two,” series creator Tim Federle said in a statement. “It was one of the first Broadway shows I ever saw, when I was 14, and it’s got all the perfect metaphors for the high school experience: Do people judge me for how I look? What is true love? Will I achieve the future I dream of? And, perhaps most importantly, it’s got dancing forks.”
So, to break it down, Season 2 of “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” will continue to be both a series based on a musical and a series about a musical. It is set in a high school and centers on that high school’s musical, but this year said musical will be neither “High School Musical” nor “High School Musical: The Musical,” but “Beauty and the Beast.”
Joe Serafini has been promoted to series regular for Season 2, joining Olivia Rodrigo, Joshua Bassett, Matt Cornett, Sofia Wylie, Larry Saperstein, Julia Lester, Dara Reneé, Frankie Rodriguez, Mark St. Cyr and Kate Reinders. Watch a video of the cast performing the title song from “Beauty and the Beast” above.
“We’re excited about Tim’s plans for the new season. He continues to amaze and surprise us with the relationships and stories he’s creating for this unbelievably talented cast. Season two will be filled with even more of the humor, heart, and music that made HSMTMTS a break-out series on Disney+,” said Ricky Strauss, president of content & Marketing for Disney+.
“The opportunity to ‘borrow’ one of the most classic Disney scores – and build our second season of HSMTMTS around it – is like having your wish upon a star granted,” added Gary Marsh, president and chief creative office of Disney Channels Worldwide.