EJ: Previously on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series...
I don't know who I am without screens.
EJ: Summer's officially off to a bang.
Or, whatever sound a bugle makes.
(PLAYING BUGLE)
EJ: Gina found balance.
(SINGING) I'mma rise up tip toes Gonna make it mine
No doubt about it I got the balance
CHORUS: She got the balance
Jet found his vocal cords.
Sorry. Auditions started over an hour ago.
Everyone's welcome to try out.
(SINGING) Nothing's in my way
I found out I'm not Miss Jenn.
Where are the scripts?
Where do you want us all to stand?
Can everyone just wait one second?
-Maybe I should cast the show. -That's the one thing I was excited about.
It may not entirely be the summer I planned.
We're the only thing I'm not worried about.
It's too late to start over, right?
-Can we just start over? -Yes, definitely.
(KOURTNEY SNORING SOFTLY)
(SINGING) Do you wanna build a snowman?
(GROANS)
Do you wanna build a snowman?
Free the werewolves, it's not their fault. Blame it on the moon.
Good morning, Elsa.
(BOTH SCREAMING)
Wait! You're Anna?
-Yes, I am! -Then that makes us sisters!
(BOTH SCREAM)
RICKY: Wow!
I didn't know your voices could even reach that register.
Plug your ears, I'm about to join them. I can't believe I'm playing...
Olaf! Congrats, bro. And I'm Kristoff. That's...
A person.
Congratulations on being an actual species, Ricky.
What? First Lumiere and now Olaf.
Am I destined to play an inanimate object for eternity?
Make way for Belle.
Make way for...
The ensemble?
I mean, hey, the ensemble.
You can't do a show without the ensemble.
There are no small parts, only small actors, right?
Don't count your lines, make the lines count.
All right, all right, everyone calm down. Let's just be professionals.
ASHLYN: Professionally, mazel tov.
Especially EJ.
Personally, I will be backlogging photos of him in antlers
for all future possible blackmail purposes.
(ALL LAUGH)
What are you talkin' about?
Your good friend Val cast you as Sven, the reindeer?
No, no. I'm not in the show. I'm directing in the show.
Check the list.
Looks like you'll be joining the ranks of character actor-directors.
Like Greta Gerwig.
No, this has to be a mistake.
CARLOS: I'm just wondering if this is a final list?
(ALL CLAMORING)
EJ: Reindeers don't direct. I've never seen a reindeer direct.
Quiet your voices!
Mornin', stage manager. You got everything ready?
Sure do, Rocket Man.
It's Newbie Initiation Campout Night, folks.
A night in the woods among the wildlife.
And spirits. (CHUCKLES)
Pack your tents. Oh, and rest your vocal cords.
You'll be screaming tonight.
Oh, and by the way, Carlos,
we have cameras in the stage manager's office.
But nice try recasting the show.
(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)
It's the most wonderful time of the year.
Not Christmas, not Tax Day...
Newbie Night! You guys are gonna have so much fun.
Once we reach the camping spot, we start by setting up the tents.
Then we gather around the campfire for a little sing-along experience,
followed by the world-famous retelling of...
Am I talking' to myself? Talking' to myself.
(EXHALES)
Are you okay?
A hundred percent. Just journaling.
Reframing the news from this morning so I can make it a win.
Oh, I get it. You're a Leo Rising.
Capricorn Rising, actually.
I'm all earth and air signs in my big three.
Really? I totally get fire sign vibes from you.
Look, I know myself.
I'm a Ravenclaw, an ENFP, a Belle, and a Samantha.
The American Girl doll, Samantha.
And I'm definitely a Capricorn Rising.
Okay. Tonight's gonna rock.
Hey, G, can I talk to you?
-Whoa! Whoa! -GIRLS: Hey! Out, out.
It is my head.
I'll allow it.
Now I need to come in the rest of the way.
You got two minutes. Go.
Aw! (CHUCKLES)
-Sorry to barge in. -Love is an open door.
I knew you'd get the lead. You're a star.
Thank you. That means...
Yeah, that means a lot.
Oh!
Weirdly, it means even more that you didn't cast me, you know?
All these years trying to figure out how to be okay with "just enough"
or "almost in the spotlight, but not quite."
Oh, my gosh, I'm doing air quotes. You're rubbing off on me.
(EJ CHUCKLES)
Okay, no, the point is... Yeah, I'm the lead.
And it feels so good,
and I counted the number of songs and the number of lines,
and then Elsa may get Let It Go.
But I honestly believe Anna has a bigger arc
and is more challenging to play. But in, like, a good way.
EJ?
Sorry, I'm listening. Just freaking out a little bit.
Corbin Bleu's coming back tomorrow
for our first read-through with his camera crew and everything.
I've got to break down the script tonight.
And I just...
I want the read-through to be flawless.
-I mean, he was Chad. -(CHUCKLES)
Gina, like, I don't wanna disappoint the Chad.
GINA: I know this is a big deal to you,
but tonight's supposed to be, like, this big, fun...
Hi. (CHUCKLES) Butting in. Corbin? Tomorrow?
And we're staying out all night. Is that smart?
Ding, ding. And that's two minutes, EJ.
(CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY)
Now, everybody, sometimes there are snakes.
Most of them are not poisonous.
Most of them?
-Yes. -I can't. I can't, I can't. I'm sorry.
MADDOX: You can't really do that. You have to come back.
(CAMPERS CLAMORING)
You know I'm a feminist, right?
Mmm, right.
I like all women.
GINA: Mmm-hmm.
Almost all of the women, I like.
Where is this going?
I just mean, does Val strike you as a little...
I don't have the word for it.
Mmm, she seemed pretty nice to me.
And Maddox had the nerve to tell me I was a Leo Rising.
Okay, nobody knows my birth chart better than me.
Except Madam Stephanie.
My psychic-slash-life coach? She came to my birthday brunch?
Right. Yeah, the random woman at Denny's who wasn't friends with any of us.
Not random. Madam Stephanie.
(SIGHS) Okay. Here's what I'm thinking. You were an awesome leading lady.
Go on.
And being cast in the ensemble was unexpected.
-Yeah. -But to be completely honest,
I guess I just didn't think you'd be this thrown off by it.
Okay, tough love sister time here.
It feels out of character, Ash.
Did you hear what she said? "It feels out of character"?
"Capricorn Rising, considered rational people
"reluctant to reveal their inner and emotional life..."
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
Okay, now listen to this.
"Leo Rising," what Maddox thinks that I am.
"Likes to be the center of attention and get praise.
"Loves the admiration of others. Recognition gives them a boost."
This is a spooky night indeed.
Hey, you're still gonna do the traditional song tonight, right?
I was kinda hoping you'd take it.
I have a lot of homework for the show...
No, no, no. Come on.
When I sing country songs, I sound like a frog.
Okay, listen. I'll do the scary song. You do the scary story.
Oh, don't get it twisted. I was always gonna do the scary story.
Honestly, I can't wait.
(MADDOX CHUCKLES)
Oh, hey. Tent all set up?
Yeah. Gina's basically professionally trained in survival arts.
I think that tent could survive a hurricane.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
(CLEARS THROAT) Hey, I'm sorry if I overstepped
with the whole Leo Rising thing.
-I just picked up a vibe. -Oh, all good.
You're wrong, but all good.
Are you sure you don't have any Leo in your big three?
Because, you know, your rising signs are based off of your birth time, so...
(LOUDLY) Of course, I know rising signs are based on your birth time.
I am basically fluent in the stars. I don't know why I'm yelling.
She's not super fond of me, huh?
-Who, Ash? -Yeah.
No, no, she's just going through something.
Give her time. Ashlyn loves everybody. And she's a feminist.
-Okay. -EJ: Yeah.
What the...
-JET: Hey. -(RICKY YELPS)
I come here sometimes to think.
Seriously?
When I'm hungry, I eat the Twizzlers. When I'm thirsty, I drink the crystals.
You're messing with me.
Though I guess the crystals would explain your voice.
Dude, everyone's still talking about your audition.
Seriously, like, where'd you learn how to sing like that?
It's a long, stupid story.
Try me.
Basically, I, like, raised myself on YouTube
'cause my parents were always at work,
and I taught myself to play piano.
Taught myself to sing, too, I guess.
And then I had this music teacher at school,
and she pushed me so hard
that I sort of forgot what I liked about it to begin with.
And my grades tanked, and my mom put me on ADD meds.
But it didn't work 'cause I don't have ADD.
I have AAD.
Sorry, "AAD"?
-All Adults Disappoint. -RICKY: Mmm. (CHUCKLES)
I will admit it was a stupid story, but wasn't very long.
(BOTH LAUGH)
He laughs. Look at that.
-MADDOX: Phew. -(CAMPERS CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY)
Welcome, folks, to your very first Newbie Initiation Campout Night!
(ALL CHEERING)
Now to kick off the night,
let's give it up for our very own Rocket Man!
(ALL CHEERING)
MALE CAMPER: Yes!
All right, everyone, pay attention,
'cause I don't have much time to waste tonight.
I'm gonna need a little help singing parts of this.
Shake your money maker, Caswell!
(GINA CHUCKLES)
Not helpful, Carlos.
All right, here we go.
This one is called the Ballad of Shallow Lake
and every word is true.
-(LAUGHS) -(GUITAR PLAYING)
(SINGING) Gonna tell a story about Susan Fine
She lived 200 years ago
One night she heard a whistle The spooky kind
The sound can make your blood run cold
They say she got swallowed by Shallow Lake
Never to be seen again
Till her ghost says
Come morning
EJ AND CHORUS: Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
She lost her soul And she lost her mind
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
Don't get caught by Susie Fine
So pray you find your way back home
Oh, oh!
EJ AND CHORUS: Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
She'll drink your blood Like it's werewolf wine
-(GASPS) -(CHUCKLES)
EJ AND CHORUS: Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
You better run from Susie Fine
(ALL CHEERING)
Um, is that really a true story?
That song is basically a documentary.
(CHUCKLES) Quick follow-up...
I have a lot of homework,
but the amazing Maddox will explain it all.
Let's see. Who here likes ghost stories?
-(ALL MURMURING) -(MADDOX CHUCKLES)
Then it's time for you all to hear the story of
the Woman in the Woods.
See, that's a no for me.
Camp Shallow Lake was founded a long, long time ago by a married couple,
Mr. John Fine and Mrs. Susan Fine.
Everybody loved Mrs. Fine. She was kind.
Had a voice like an angel. And she had a sweet tooth, unmatched.
She always had a bag of Twizzlers in hand.
But tragedy struck on a night a lot like tonight.
It was the very first Newbie Initiation Campout night.
Legend says Mrs. Fine heard a faint whistling sound
-deep within the woods. -(NOISE ECHOING)
So, she wandered out there.
-(LOUDLY) All by herself. -(YELPS)
(GASPS)
Wait. What did she find?
Was it Corbin Bleu's helicopter?
(ALL LAUGHING)
No. She was out in the woods for so long,
she never came home.
-I know the feeling. -(CAMPERS SNICKERING)
-Me, too. -Uh...
Well, wait. No. So this all happened 20, I mean, 50 years ago.
And, uh, ever since that night,
Mrs. Fine has been wandering the woods,
hungry, lost, and angry.
You guys, am I Susan Fine?
(CAMPERS LAUGHING)
You are pretty angry, dude. I'm not gonna lie.
Like, all the time. Like, it's actually scary...
Um... (CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
Sorry, this isn't how I... It's scary.
It's supposed to be scary. Never mind. Sorry.
Maddie, wait.
(SIGHS)
(OWL HOOTS)
(CARLOS COUGHS)
Hey, Finer Things Club co-president?
Yes, Finer Things Club co-president?
I think that's enough.
Who you trying to suffocate, honey?
Um, spiders, ghosts, men's rights activists.
-Okay? -(BOTH LAUGH)
-(ANIMAL HOWLING) -(KOURTNEY WHIMPERS)
What was that?
-I think you should go check it out. -Excuse me? You go.
-Fine, I'll go. -No, you...
Oh, okay. That worked. Go, go, go.
-(RUSTLING) -(GASPS)
(WHIMPERS)
Carlos?
(KOURTNEY GASPS)
Oh, I'm coming to get you, bestie.
And I'm doing exactly what every person in every scary movie always does.
(YELLS) Carlos? Carlos, I can't be the first to die.
I'm too smart and hot for that.
-(ANIMAL HOWLS) -(GASPS)
Unless, you're already dead.
And if you're first, then that would make the writer kind of homophobic...
(SCREAMS)
-(ROARS) -(BOTH LAUGH)
Oh, my... Horrible. Awful. Terrible. Just terrible.
Okay, you are the reason why people don't trust boys.
Yes, you, too, Carlos.
(RICKY GRUNTS AND HOWLS)
-I'm sorry. -(KOURTNEY WHINES)
Boo!
Dude. This legend?
I found, like, a shrine in the woods. Let's go.
I can't. I have to finish this thing before...
Wait! What thing in the woods?
It's the spookiest thing I've ever seen.
And I've seen Hereditary.
Aw, come on. Let's go, Eej.
Don't mind me. Just having a teeny, tiny identity crisis. (CHUCKLES)
EJ, do you remember when I was born?
I just need to know if it was 11:37 a.m., or 11:37 p.m.
Everyone, stop.
It was 11:37 a.m.
I know that because my mom always tells me how you forever ruined the eggs Benedict.
Remember? Eggs Benedict is a strictly morning dish.
No, I can't come see the shrine tonight.
I have to finish marking up the script before Corbin comes tomorrow.
I have a lot on my plate, okay?
-And, Gina, I really... -Gotta focus. I get it.
Come on, guys.
(ANIMAL HOWLING IN DISTANCE)
Who am I, stars?
RICKY: It's quiet. GINA: Yeah. Maybe a little too quiet.
-Don't tell me you're scared? -You wish.
Honestly, yeah. It'd make me feel a little bit less like a baby.
-(CHUCKLES) -Check this out. My heart's racing.
Chicken.
I haven't even told you, though. I heard it earlier, the whistle?
-(MOCKING) The sound that drove her mad. -Make fun of me all you want.
You'll be scared when you make it to the shrine,
which should be around here somewhere.
Move over.
As the leading lady,
I would be more than happy to lead you through the woods.
Calm down, Anna. You don't even know where the shrine is.
I think I'll figure it out, Kristoff.
(SCREAMS)
(SCREAM ECHOING)
(WHIMPERS)
(PANTS)
Wow.
That's a sign, if I've ever seen one.
The shrine thing was around here somewhere. I swear.
Hey, Rick, do you think maybe we should head back now?
(CHUCKLES) Who's the chicken now, huh?
(SCREECHING IN DISTANCE)
(FEMALE VOICE SINGING IN DISTANCE)
-Is that... -The Woman in the Woods?
Maddox said she had a voice like an angel. Angel voice.
Gulp.
Now what?
Follow the sound?
Yeah. Exactly what everyone says not to do.
Let's do it.
-After you. Chicken. -(GINA SCOFFS)
(SINGING) Who am I when who I am is changing
Who am I when I'm not in my head
I'm following the signs Where will they take me
Will my future self and I be friends
I'm searching for stars
The horizon is black But I know what I know
And there's no going back
I've been living on one small piece of sky
Suddenly the whole world is open wide
It's time I'm rising, rising
There's a part of me reaching for the light
So strong, impossible to hide
This fire that's rising, rising
-Should we see who's singing? -I mean, we've come this far, right?
What am I when what I am is wild
And louder than I ever dared believe
I'm so done with hiding in the shadows
And I'm so over being scared of me
The stars are all new I'm charting a path
'Cause I know what I know
And there's no going back
I've been living on one small piece of sky
Suddenly the whole world is open wide
It's time I'm rising, rising
There's a part of me Reaching for the light
So strong, impossible to hide
This fire that's rising
Rising
(VOCALIZING)
Rising, rising
(ALL SCREAMING)
Gina?
-(GASPS) -You're the Woman in the Woods?
JET: So, you're the Woman in the Woods.
Too soon. I get it.
Okay. I'm sorry.
But... (SIGHS)
This was always my favorite night at camp.
Because it used to scare me.
But then I learned that if I could just
own those stories, it didn't scare me anymore.
And you had to go and make fun of it.
-Ricky was trying' to... -No, I'm glad you have friends, really.
I'm sure Mom and Dad will be thrilled.
-Maddie... -No, this was the one place that was mine.
Because no matter what was going on with you at home,
and let's be honest, Jet,
there was always something going on with you...
I could come here and just pretend
that all of the problems back at home didn't exist.
You know Mom and Dad asked me to keep an eye on you this summer?
I don't need a babysitter.
Yeah, well, it doesn't really matter anyway,
because I'm pretty sure the sibling who's being punished is me.
Okay, I think I get it.
Because of an optical illusion, right,
-it seems like Mercury's going backwards? -Right.
And when this is happening, bad things happen.
-ASHLYN: It's science. -Right.
And Mercury's in retrograde? Right now?
Honestly?
Honestly, no. I just... I wanted to blame
the whole Val ensemble casting thing on something out of my control.
It's okay, Ash. You were bummed. You wanted an explanation.
Last semester, I didn't think I could be a leading lady.
And tonight, I found out I was born at brunch time.
(ALL CHUCKLE)
Guess there's always something new to learn.
Is that it, Ash?
This, um, Corbin Bleu TV show thing,
I thought it was gonna be like my big break.
-Hey, it still could be. -Nah.
But I think it could be yours, Anna. (CHUCKLES) And you deserve it.
Good night, cool kids. Leo Rising out.
(GINA CHUCKLES)
Don't let the Woman in the Woods get ya.
-(GINA AND RICKY MOCK SCREAMING) -(RICKY CHUCKLES)
She's right, you know. This could be your big break.
-(LAUGHS) -I'm serious. You're Anna.
That's, like, a big deal.
I'm proud of you.
(CHUCKLES) Oh, my...
There you are! Stop leaving our tent without a hall pass.
I woke up and you were gone, and I thought you were dead.
For the millionth time, the Woman in the Woods is not real.
-CARLOS: He's in a tough place tonight. -So am I.
Gee, I wonder why I can barely sleep tonight
when I've reached the pinnacle of my theater career.
Don't look at me. The monster costume was Ricky's idea.
Guys, I really don't mean to be rude, but I have much bigger things happening.
What's bigger than monsters?
Well, there are two issues. One, Dewey called with an update.
-Corbin Bleu is coming extra early. -Oh!
It's a major code red.
We're doing a first read-through before I've had my third cup of coffee.
What's the second issue?
Oh, Ricky and Gina are 100% missing.
What?
What if the Woman in the Woods...
-Kourt, I'm gonna stop you right there. -But...
Carlos is right. I'm sure Ricky and Gina are fine.
(GINA LAUGHS)
(RICKY BLOWS LIPS)
Hey, G?
Tonight was a blast.
Even though we couldn't find the shrine?
Ah, it's the journey, not the destination.
Thank you for your fortune cookie wisdom.
-(CHUCKLES SOFTLY) -Good night, Ricky.
And we are still walking in the same direction.
-Not awkward at all. -No. Awkward? Could not be us.
-Mmm-mm. -(BOTH LAUGH)
(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)