GINA: Previously on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series...
There's nothing like your first time at summer camp.
MADDOX: What's up, new campers?
(SINGING) Welcome to the Shallow Lake of your dreams
With your first boyfriend and your first true friends.
Trying out for the first student production of Frozen.
I'm gonna be directing the show about the show.
Don't you have someone to do it?
-Me? -Mr. Director.
What's next? My first earthquake?
Bye, Salt Lake.
-Nothing's gonna get in our way. -Excuse me.
Oh, my gosh. Is that EJ Caswell from Disney+'s Frozen: The Musical: The Series?
They would never call the show that.
It's a way too long and complicated a title.
Thank you.
Couldn't sleep?
I figured I'd get a start on panicking early, you know,
seeing as I am now the one who has to direct
the first-ever student production of Frozen that will air in,
I don't know, 63 countries?
Well, I am not panicking at all.
You're gonna be the best director
Camp Shallow Lake and those 63 countries has ever seen.
You literally have zero proof to back that theory up.
I'm sorry. Can I just believe in the potential
of my incredibly smart, wildly talented boyfriend?
You forgot handsome.
You managed to be extremely humble for about five seconds. It's a new record.
Okay, I'm not gonna lie. I was kind of hoping
me and EJ would get to play leads together.
You know, continue the romance into the showmance.
Hey. You know, at least this way, I'll get a good part.
Can you believe Ricky showed up?
When are you gonna tell everyone you're directing the show?
Soon, at auditions,
but will you not say anything until then?
(BUGLE PLAYING)
EJ: Hey-o!
-I'm so glad you're hearing the bugle. -A what?
It's like the perfect start to the day.
Rise and shine, newbies! You're on Shallow Lake time now. Whoo!
Oh, hey, guys.
-Whoo! -Whoo!
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
(WARBLING)
(MAKES WHINY NOISE)
Nothing like waking up to a face full of steam.
Your bed is closest to the outlet. Very prime setup. So, what's the deal?
I thought you were gonna be with young Cersei Lannister,
jet skiing and sight-seeing and terrorizing innocent townspeople.
-Yeah, those plans are off. -Do you wanna talk about it?
-Not even a little. -Me neither. I was just being polite.
I cannot focus on anything but auditions right now.
Auditions? I wonder what I'll get. Or what I want.
What are the two main guys' names in Frozen again?
Look, Ricky, I know at school you always somehow fall backwards into a lead role,
but you can't Zefron your way through auditions this time.
I'm not gonna Zefron.
Fine. I'll learn the two guys' names.
One is... I wanna say Gary.
None of them are Gary. There are no Garys. It's freaking Norway, Ricky.
I'm kidding. I know their names.
I've seen the 2013 smash hit movie, Frozen.
It's summer, Carlos. We're supposed to have fun.
Fun is for the ensemble.
(SHUDDERS) Uh...
Carlos?
CARLOS: That's Jet. I don't think he's slept or spoken in the last 24 hours.
There's a high chance he's the Babadook.
Hey, little guy.
I can't believe we're actually gonna be in this documentary.
And to be directed by Mr. Chad Danforth himself.
Okay, one could say the stakes for auditions have never been higher.
And one will. I will. The stakes have never been higher.
I think I'm having withdrawals.
I mean, this is the first day I haven't had a headache in my entire life.
Isn't that a good thing?
No. I don't know who I am without screens.
So, camp's a little more rustic than I thought it would be.
But hey. Aren't we all entitled to a little bit of drama on audition day?
(LAUGHS)
Do either of you have a phone on you? (CHUCKLES)
Can I just hold it? Just for a second.
I'm just gonna let it be known that I'm going for gold at auditions today.
I'm finally ready to play the lead. No apologies, no prisoners.
-Sounds like you brought Gina 1.0 to camp. -No.
Look, okay, I loved auditioning with you guys last year,
and we're still a tercet,
but I just feel like I need to stand on my own this summer, you know?
Especially with the whole documentary thing.
Like, that could literally be our future.
Okay, 1.0.
(SCOFFS)
I can be sweet Then I can be sour
I could be dancing solo Then step back into the crowd
I can go high Then get back down to earth
Never gonna dim my light or my power
I feel like it's my time
Not the old me, 2.0 me No, the real me's about to shine
On a tight rope, spotlight Gonna make it mine
-I got the balance -She got the balance
I'mma rise up, tip toes Gonna make it mine
No doubt about it I got the balance
She got the balance
B-A-L-A-N-C-E I'll show 'em what I mean
I can do the most Then go through the motions
I can be this or that No matter what, it's gonna be explosive
And maybe before I was only half of me
But now I trust in my instincts And I'm loving what I see
I feel like it's my time
Not the old me, 2.0 me No, it's all of me combined
On the tight rope, spotlight Gonna make it mine
-I got the balance -CHORUS: She got the balance
I'mma rise up, tip toes Gonna make it mine
No doubt about it I got the balance
-CHORUS: She got the balance -One foot in front of the other
I'm stepping out Don't know what I'll discover
Just put one foot in front of the other
I'm stepping out Don't know what I'll discover
On the tightrope, spotlight Gonna make it mine
-I got the balance -She got the balance
I'mma rise up, tip toes Gonna make it mine
No doubt about it I got the balance
CHORUS: She got the balance
B-A-L-A-N-C-E I'll show 'em what I mean
-Hey. -Hey.
-Oh... Uh... -(BOTH CHUCKLE NERVOUSLY)
Yeah.
I was just gonna grab some breakfast before auditions.
Same here. Twinsies.
(BOTH CHUCKLE NERVOUSLY)
-Um, I just wanted... -Should I just...
-No, you first. -(LAUGHS)
Can we just start over?
Yes. Definitely.
(WARBLING)
Twinsies.
No, Ricky, that's what I was trying to say.
Can the two of us start over?
Duh. Right.
(WARBLING)
Twinsies.
You were saying?
(LAUGHS)
Okay, we're in a new place, and we're different people now.
We can start fresh. No drama, no chocolates.
(CHUCKLES)
-Summer's supposed to be fun, right? -Yes. I totally agree. Summer of fun.
CAROL: Wow, back in LA, where it all began.
We are definitely not old enough to be going to our 20-year college reunion.
-I still feel like I'm 18. -Which makes no sense.
Because 18-year-olds couldn't possibly have a daughter
who's also about to turn 18.
Never do the math.
Hey, baby. Do you remember our friend, Marvin?
Sure. I loved that guy, when I was, like, four.
-Why? -Do you remember when you were young
and you once asked about the donor we used for you
and I told you that it was a stranger, but...
It was Marvin.
Oh.
Now, this can be as big or as small of a deal as you want it to be.
Totally.
I just thought maybe he could come over, hang out here at the rental with us,
-have some dinner before the reunion... -Just like a chill hang.
If you want, though. If you want.
Sure. I mean, it's not like I haven't already met him.
We just want you to meet Marvin again as an adult.
-Or an almost adult. -Yeah.
-Maybe you guys will bond. You never know. -All right. Okay.
Okay, yes. Okay, thanks, honey.
(SIGHS)
Okay, I will say, for a barn, wow.
-MADDOX: Everyone should start warming up. -Man, am I psyched for auditions.
Maybe we'll get to play the male leads together again, huh?
Those guys. There's two of them. They're friends? Enemies? Lovers?
There she is.
That's Val. Eight-time Shallow Lake camper and current Shallow Lake CIT.
-Yeah, she and EJ go way back. -Yeah, they seem close.
Yeah. They were Gretl and Kurt together in The Sound of Music way back in the day.
That kind of bond is forever.
Hey, everyone. I'm Val, and not too long ago, I was just like you,
waiting in the wings for my chance at stardom.
Then I went to college and my dreams of Broadway
were instantly dashed by my Intro-To-Movement professor,
who said I wasn't convincing as a human being.
(LAUGHS)
Wow.
But now I'm a psych major. And I'm also your choreographer.
The director will kick off the auditions in just a moment.
Corbin Bleu. Whoo!
What's up?
Ow!
EJ, come on. You need to tell everyone you're directing the show.
Ashlyn won't stop talking about how she's gonna be
singing while gazing into Corbin Bleu's beautiful brown eyes.
I will tell everyone. In a second. I just need a second. So, in two seconds.
Hey, Maddox. I wanted to offer my services in hair-and-makeup.
Obvi, I'll be auditioning too. But back at East...
I've got it covered.
You don't want any help? I mean, teamwork makes the dream work, right?
I've always done it myself. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?
We can go back and forth with phrases like this all day.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
So, the thing about me is that people sometimes call me an "acquired taste."
Which is a fancy way of saying I'm not for everyone.
Which I pretend I'm fine with. Like, it makes me cool or something.
But it actually kinda hurts my feelings.
There was this whole group of crew kids
that I used to hang out with at Shallow Lake.
One in particular.
But they've moved on, and it's just been
so long since I've had to make new friends, I just...
I don't quite know what I'm doing this summer.
(SINGING SOFTLY) Do you wanna build a snow...
Don't mind me. I'm just grabbing a prop.
You like it? Sort of 1980s mom-in-a-mall.
Hey. Didn't know how cold it was gonna get.
It's California, man.
-He speaks. Do you sing? -Not anymore.
Hi, Gina.
Play it cool. Sorry. I'm Alex, this is Emmy.
We're eighth graders, almost freshmen, and we are huge fans.
-We basically memorized all your TikToks. -Yeah. You played it very cool.
-Are you both auditioning? -Yes. Well, maybe.
We've never auditioned for anything before.
Well, definitely be prepared. Practice. And you have to be confident.
If you don't feel confident, just fake confidence.
Fake confidence. Love that for us. Keep going.
And you have to keep your eye on the prize.
From this moment on, you two aren't even friends. You're the competition.
What'd I tell you? Gina 1.0.
I think I got it. So, Corbin Bleu is only directing the TV show about the show.
-Correct. -Now you have to direct the actual show?
-The only ones who know are you and Gina. -What happened to Nini?
Shy girl from last summer, weird British accent when she's nervous.
-Yeah, it's been a long year, Val. -(CHUCKLES)
Look. I'll help you.
Like, for instance, maybe I should cast the show. Alone.
Wait. No, that's the one thing I was excited about.
Bias is a thing. Your subjectivity could affect the results.
If you're such a pro, maybe you wanna direct the show too?
Nice try.
Act like you know what you're doing.
Yo. We are ready.
It is time to introduce you to your director,
Rocket Man himself, EJ Caswell.
(ALL CLAPPING HESITANTLY)
Act like you know what you're doing.
-Act. -No Corbin Bleu?
Oh, yeah. He's directing a show about the show. It's confusing.
Circle up.
(SINGING) Do you wanna build a snowman? It doesn't have to be a snowman
We used to be best buddies
-Frozen time! Let's go. -Now that's tradition.
Where's Mr. Bleu?
What are you doing in here?
You can't be in your bunk during elective periods. It's dangerous.
We could be dusting.
(SCOFFS)
Hmm. Looks like you haven't signed up for any electives.
Looks like swimming still has one spot open.
Actually, I'm allergic to chlorine.
Well, then it's a summer of exposure therapy for you.
Unless you plan on trying out for the musical.
-Are those literally my only two options? -Yes. Literally.
Look, I didn't come here to sing in a barn.
Well, Jet, then why did you come here?
And while you're thinking about that, don't make me take away your screen.
Yeah, we're gonna need another bunk check in 10.
Okay, everyone. Let's take some grounding breaths.
And we're off!
For those of you who I technically know, today, you're not Wildcats.
Today, you're a bunch of blank canvases, strangers to me.
-Today, we've never met. -Maybe don't talk.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
The window is open, so's that door I didn't know they did that anymore
And there's two nice ladies helping me get dressed
Thank you Thanks
KOURTNEY: For years I've roamed these empty halls
Why have a ballroom with no balls?
Coronation Day is just the best!
There'll be actual real live people It'll be totally strange
But wow Am I so ready for this change
RICKY: For the first time in forever
There'll be music, there'll be light
For the first time in forever
I'll be dancing through the night
Don't know if I'm elated or gassy But I'm somewhere in that zone
'Cause for the first time in forever
I won't be alone
Do you wanna build a snowman?
Come on Let's go and play
I never see you anymore Come out the door
It's like you've gone away
We used to be best buddies And now we're not
I wish you would tell me why
-Do you wanna build a snowman? -It doesn't have to be a snowman
Go away, Anna.
Okay Bye
GINA: Conceal, don't feel
Put on a show
Make one wrong move and everyone will know
ASHLYN: But it's only for today
GINA: It's only for today
Tell the guard to open up the gate
The gate
Do you wanna build a... Do you wanna build a...
Do you wanna build a snowman?
-'Cause for the first time in forever -(APPLAUDING)
Nothing's in my way
Do you wanna build a snowman?
(ALL CHEERING)
DANA: This is not cool. MARVIN: Oh, come on.
DANA: No, not fair. Not cool.
Can I just say how happy I am that this is finally out in the open?
I am so happy this is finally out in the open.
(BOTH LAUGH)
So, Nini, what do you think of California?
Have you seen any celebrities or...
You know what? I thought I saw an influencer, but it was just a barista.
-Bummer. -So, one and the same.
(CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
I should go get those burgers started.
-I'll come with you. -Great.
-Let me help you. -No. You stay.
So, I know what you're thinking. I'm thinking it too.
It's crazy how much we look alike.
I'm kidding. I'm kidding. So, do you play any sports or...
Uh, not unless you count Little League in second grade, which I was terrible at.
Oh, I was thinking it might be genetic. I played baseball in college, and...
It's actually not a joke. They say I was pretty good.
-(CHUCKLES) -Oh.
What else? Oh, um...
Let's say our favorite color at the same time. Three, two, one.
-Green? -Black.
Well, see? I mean, that's not so far off.
If you consider that both colors are visible.
(CHUCKLES)
Did you read a book called
What To Expect When You're Expecting Your Donor Kid?
Well...
Actually, it was an article. But that was basically the title.
What To Ask Your Biological Child When Meeting Them For The First Time.
-It's the click-through for a slideshow. -I should ask you some questions, right?
I'd be delighted to answer any of your questions.
-Ask me anything. -Thought you might say that.
Would you rather have breakfast for dinner, or dinner for breakfast?
Uh, breakfast for dinner. Pancakes at night? Let's go.
-Any hobbies? -Hobbies? I bake.
While blasting Liz Phair.
The number of flambes that woman has collapsed.
But no one wails like Tori Amos, right? But...
I'm sure you've heard all this before. About our influences.
-Uh... -(CHUCKLES)
-What do you mean, our influences? -Um, don't tell me you never told her.
-Never told me what? -It was another lifetime ago.
Your moms and I were kind of a big deal...
-No. -...in the early aughts LA music scene.
-No, come on. We were. -That's so rich.
We had one song that got a little bit of airplay.
What? What was the song? And what was the band named?
How come you guys are just telling me this now?
-Say it. Go ahead. You Never Know. -You Never Know was the song.
-Oh, my God. -University Clowns was the band.
MARVIN: Oh, my God. CAROL: It was another lifetime ago.
(DANA CHUCKLES)
-Where are the scripts? -EJ: Scripts?
For the scene work auditions?
We're doing a show with no script? What is this? Curb Your Enthusiasm?
Yo, Mr. Director-man. Where do you want us all to stand?
Can everyone just wait one second? Please?
What if they all just acted out the lyrics from the songs?
You know, like a dramatic reading.
-I don't know. I'm just a stage manager. -No, that's a great idea.
Thank you.
"Don't let them in, don't let them see. Be the good girl you always have to be.
"Conceal, don't feel.
"Put on a show."
Sorry. Auditions started over an hour ago.
It's okay. Everyone's welcome to try out.
-I'm not so sure about this. -Nobody's judging you.
Come on.
(SINGING) For the first time in forever
I'm getting what I'm dreaming of
A chance to leave my lonely world
A chance to find true love
-For the first time in forever -(PLAYING PIANO)
We're no longer shut outside
For the first time in forever
The gates are open wide
Oh, I know it all ends tomorrow
So it has to be today
'Cause for the first time in forever
For the first time in forever
Nothing's in my way
(ALL CHEERING AND APPLAUDING)
-Dude, are you kidding me? -That was so good.
That was insane.
I have chills.
Arriving late to auditions with a bang. Blowing everyone away.
Pretending he's not a theater kid. He's like a little Ricky.
(CLEARS THROAT)
(CLEARS THROAT LOUDER)
Can I help you?
Oh, uh, I was just wondering if you needed help with posting the cast list.
With posting the cast list?
Finding tape, pinning it on the perfect public wall,
general fanfare and intrigue, et cetera.
Right. I actually was gonna sleep on it before making any final decisions.
Oh. That's fine. Sure.
We can all just go to bed not knowing the fate of the nation.
-It's just a musical, Carlos. -The revolution will be televised, Val.
(CHUCKLES POLITELY)
You killed it today.
I know it's not up to me, but you're gonna be Anna.
(CHUCKLES) Thanks. Today was an interesting audition day.
I mean... (IN BRITISH ACCENT) It was a bit of a blimey mess, mate.
Okay. Yeah. Val told me to act like I knew what I was doing,
and clearly no accent can hide the fact
that I'm totally and completely drowning up here.
Oh, my gosh. You are not drowning. Just maybe no more acting.
-Just be yourself. -Duh. I don't think anyone wants that.
Miss Jenns aren't built in a day. You'll be great, and you have help, right?
-You have Val. -Yeah, Val's the best.
Seriously, EJ, if you're too stressed about directing this summer,
I don't wanna give you something else to be worried about,
so maybe you and I should just play it cool...
-Hey. -What?
You and me, it's the only thing I'm not worried about.
But maybe it wouldn't be the worst idea if we kept
a professional distance at rehearsals.
Yeah. Several feet apart. No hand holding.
-Definitely no meaningful eye contact. -You mean, like this?
(LAUGHS) Yes.
-Are we going to the pool? -Wanna take a swim?
-Yeah. -Why not?
-Beat you there. -No, you won't.
I just cannot believe University Clowns almost played the first ever Coachella.
-Like, I'm losing it. -Almost.
But I can't believe you, working with Jamie Porter.
That kid's the real deal. I mean, you must be pretty impressive.
Look, whatever happens, I hope you don't stop writing songs.
(CHUCKLES) Yeah.
-(PHONE CHIMES) -Oh!
Okay. I'm sorry. I have to break up this reunion.
I have to go to this other reunion with your moms.
-Of course. -Just gonna grab my wallet from the car.
Oh, my car is black, by the way. Your favorite color.
Not green. So I don't know. Maybe we really are related.
(CHUCKLES) All right.
I, uh...
I remember what it was like to be your age.
Everything seems unpredictable.
But I promise you, Nini, the best is yet to come.
I'm really glad we got to meet again. I was afraid it might throw you off.
(CHUCKLES) I'm not thrown.
All right. (CHUCKLES)
A chapter begins The pages turn in the wind
The story's so unpredictable But the best is yet to come
Whoa
I open my eyes and I can see the horizon And the thrill's indescribable
In the California sun, it shows
You never know which way the ride could take you
Or how a breeze can make you start down a brand-new road
You never know
What place you're gonna end up Even better than you dreamt of
Right where you're meant to go You never know
Know
You never know Know
The summer is mine I'm gonna give it a try
Another season of life for me
And I don't know what happens next No
But I'll embrace the mystery See the forest for the trees
'Cause branching out there's no telling how much I can grow
You never know which way the ride could take you
Or how a breeze can make you start down a brand-new road
You never know what place you're gonna end up
Even better than you dreamt of Right where you're meant to go
You never know Know
You never know So this is 18 for me
There's something waiting for me So this is 18 for me
You never know what place you're gonna end up
Even better than you dreamt of Right where you're meant to go
You never know Know
You never know So this is 18 for me
There's something waiting for me So this is 18 for me
You never know
Hey, did Maddox ever come back after dinner?
She probably has some super-top-secret
important camp tradition business to attend to.
Is it bad to say she's kind of a lot?
And that's coming from me, someone who is also a lot.
Come on, you guys. Maddox is great.
She just wants all of us to bond and be friends
and go along with her cool rituals.
ASHLYN AND KOURTNEY: Mmm-hmm
Guys, she's harmless.
CARLOS: Cast list.
No, no, no.
Not on my watch.
(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)