DIRECTOR'S NOTE
Welcome to East High, Wildcats!
On January 20, 2006 High School Musical premiered on the Disney Channel and ignited a global phenomenon. It was High School Musical Mania with everything from merchandise, dance parties, a concert tour, an ice show, you name it. Its soundtrack topped the billboard and iTunes charts, going triple platinum. The franchise was also responsible for launching the careers of its stars, Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, and more, turning them into household names. The overwhelming success of the first one also inspired two more films, including a theatrical release of the final installment, High School Musical 3: Senior Year; a Sharpay spinoff; and mostly recently, the Disney+ hit series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, starring record breaking recording artist, Olivia Rodrigo.
High School Musical also inspired a renewed interest in Musical Theater. As a result, and because schools and community theaters wanted to produce their own High School Musical, a stage version was adapted, which is what we are excited to present this weekend.
18 years later, and here we are today. High School Musical has reached a new generation of Wildcats, as evident by this cast of 52 young performers, all of whom weren’t even born when it originally premiered.
As someone who grew up with the movie, and absolutely loved it, I am so glad to see High School Musical live on. This story with its earworm of a soundtrack, and its themes of friendship, acceptance, team work, individuality, and of course, music, still has something to say in 2024. It is still a beacon of joy, optimism, and positivity, in a world that can often seem cynical, which just show it's timelessness.
After years of performing on the Rosen P.A.C stage, I couldn’t be prouder to make my directorial debut with a show that has been a part of my life, part of my generation, and to now get to share it, and pass it along to this new one. Each and every one of these performers have worked incredibly hard to make this show, the best it can be, and deserve all the praise and applause they are about to receive.
So sit back, relax, bop to the top, sing along and enjoy High School Musical, Jr!!!
-Matthew Luminello
Director