CARLOS: Previously on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series...
Thanksgiving is all about sharing secret talents and discovering new co-stars.
Learning the meaning of humility and giving thanks for making new friends.
I just hope Miss Jenn had a nice night off with her large extended family.
(INDISTINCT RADIO CHATTER)
(WATER DRIPPING)
Excuse me, kids!
Oh, my gosh, what happened?
It's okay. Nobody was hurt.
There was a small fire in the theater over the holiday
and the sprinklers did their job. (SIGHS)
We're almost done in here, just have to finish up in the faculty room next.
Some circuits blew in there over the break.
We fell asleep, we smelled smoke, we pulled the fire alarm
and Benjamin Mazzara said, "Run." So I ran.
I will donate my entire salary to rebuild the theater.
But the show must go on.
Unfortunately, the show cannot go on.
What?
FIREFIGHTER: Fire ripped through half of your costumes
and the sprinklers ruined a bunch of your sets.
I'm sorry, but I'm gonna have to red tag
the entire backstage area for a month at least.
Uh...
Did she just say costumes?
Okay. Okay, listen up.
Hug your neighbor, take a moment,
and let's reconvene in the cafeteria after school to talk about options.
Nini and Ricky, spread the word.
Got it. Yeah, of course.
Ricky?
Huh? Sorry. After school in the cafeteria. Got it.
It's just, I'm the props guy, so... (SIGHS) It's kind of a hard day.
I guess if you hold it like this, you can't tell it got ruined.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Okay, guys!
Wait, where's Gina?
I think she's going through a family thing right now.
MISS JENN: Okay, prayers to our Gina.
I'm really not sure what to say.
You've all worked so hard. I've seen all of you grow so much.
But if we don't have a theater, we don't have a show.
ALL: Wait, what?
(OVERLAPPING CHATTER)
Come on, Miss Jenn, we've gotta do something.
I think we...
I don't know, I guess we could consider other venues?
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Oh, oh, what about the old Kingston downtown?
It's condemned.
The Lucky Ducky Puppet Pavilion?
It's a massive Starbucks now.
-How about the El Rey? -GIRL: Yeah.
-Yes. -EJ: That's brilliant, dude.
-GIRL 2: I went there six times. -Any other ideas?
Miss Jenn, I feel like you just had a really weird reaction to what I just said.
Sorry, what did you say?
Carlos is asking if we can try and use the El Rey Theater.
My Uncle Ruben is the listing agent,
and the last thing they had in there was a fashion show, like, four years ago.
This place has 500 seats.
STUDENTS: Whoa! NINI: What?
Four ninety-eight, but who's counting.
Wait, that's actually pretty sweet.
I can't imagine we'd be able to get in on such short notice.
(SPEAKING IN SPANISH)
(MAN RESPONDS IN SPANISH)
(IN ENGLISH) Sounded like a yes to me!
(ALL CHEERING)
The El Rey Theater it is!
(ALL CHEERING)
Miss Jenn, aren't you excited?
Yes, I am that feeling.
Wildcats, let's grab all the props and costumes that didn't get damaged
and let's load out.
They say that one way to heal from a bad memory
is to immerse yourself back in that memory.
This should be extremely healing.
SEB: On your right, heads up! KOURTNEY: Sorry!
Don't apologize! This is, like, a weird adventure!
Looks like the cast is in pretty good spirits.
Yeah. Actors, man.
Fire or no fire, they still have their charm and perfect skin.
It's a little silly, but I feel like I lost a little piece of myself
when those costumes went up in flames.
I hear you. That paper papier-mâché basketball took me three weeks to make.
-Three weeks? -I kept gluing my fingers together.
KOURTNEY: Oh.
Oh, hey, Carlos, I was thinking if there's any emergency money,
I could run up and replace some of the costumes...
Let's stick a pin in that.
Right now, the priority is making sure we can put up a show.
-Uh... -At least we have the El Rey!
-Oh, hey, maybe I should carry that. -EJ: Why?
No reason.
-No, I'm fine to carry it. -It's just a little bit sensitive.
Are we still talking about the box?
It's actually Miss Jenn's show file.
Script breakdowns, set sketches, and all of her audition notes.
You mean this says why which people got which parts?
No further comment, thank you.
Mmm-hmm.
GIRL: (WHISPERS) I don't know, I'm kind of scared.
MISS JENN: Right this way, follow me.
(INHALING) Ah!
Smell that smell, the theater.
Mold, it's a sign of life.
Everyone, watch your step.
And let me know if you haven't had a tetanus shot recently, okay?
(INDISTINCT WHISPERING)
Hey, sis, how you holdin' up?
(EXHALES)
I don't know, Kourt, I actually feel weirdly guilty.
Almost like I caused this? Like, it's a sign.
How could you have caused this?
I kinda had a strange weekend,
and started thinking about applying to this performing arts school...
Hold up, performing arts school?
Yeah, it's called the Youth Actors Conservatory.
It's slightly amazing and also totally unimportant right now,
I don't know what I was thinking.
You were gonna spend senior year without me?
Oh. Look, my grandma got in my head about "finding new shores."
But that's over now and we have a show to save.
This whole fire thing could've been a lot worse.
Yeah, yeah. For sure.
Here's what I learned this week. The confessional thing went a bit too far.
The truth is, I don't need to apologize for who I am.
Whatever it says in Miss Jenn's audition file, I am me,
and that is the only me I need to be.
(EXHALES)
(READING)
(CHUCKLES)
"Classic Troy on paper."
"Lacks emotional connection to the material"?
MISS JENN: Can we move that to... Thank you.
BOY: Once we get the set...
-MISS JENN: You're really good. -Really?
I'm really proud of you.
Okay, good.
Okay! Let's have some real talk.
Welcome to tech rehearsal.
I don't know if you've noticed,
but most of the tech in this particular theater
appears to be hand-cranked.
Natalie Bagley, my dear, my stage manager, this is your chance to be the hero.
-(INDISTINCT CHATTER) -RICKY: Where is she?
MISS JENN: What is it? What's happening?
Natalie Bagley's getting her wisdom teeth out.
Okay. Okay, so, I'm down a stage manager, my "Taylor's" MIA.
Gina's okay. She's a fighter and she'll be back for opening night.
-Did she text you? -No. You?
Mmm-mmm.
(ALL SCREAM)
Totally normal. Just, heads-up, from now on.
All righty. Big Red, do you know how to hang a light?
I know how to hang out?
(ALL LAUGHING)
Cool.
Carlos, let's set marks to light Status Quo.
Troy and Gabriella, find somewhere quiet and run the rooftop scene.
It's been a while and I need you opening night ready by dinnertime, okay?
Um, we're staying through dinner? I have baking club tonight...
(STUDENTS CHUCKLE)
Which is completely irrelevant in the midst of our tragedy.
Hmm. (SIGHS)
This is going to work, I can feel it. (CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY)
Clear the stage! Let's go!
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Hey, you okay? It's a lot.
I just don't know how to make things light up.
You walk into a room.
Oh... (CHUCKLES)
Seriously though, I've been through a few tech rehearsals in my day.
Just holler if you need me.
Thanks, Ash.
You got this.
(DOOR CREAKING)
Yikes, this place is not creepy at all.
(SCOFFS) Right?
Wow.
Yeah.
So, how you been?
Fine, and you? (SIGHS)
-I'm okay. -Mmm.
(CLICKS TONGUE) Look, about the other night at Ashlyn's party...
Oh, no, it's totally fine. I get it.
You do?
Yeah, I mean, I said something nice, you acted like a punk,
-what is there to discuss? -(PLAYS NOTE)
Hmm, cool, then we don't have to talk at all.
-Sounds like a plan. -Hmm.
(INHALES) For the record, you're the one who called me your "buddy"
and I've been iced out for weeks, so maybe it was building up.
And that's that on that.
Okay. Glad you got that out of your system?
Yeah, actually I am.
-Excellent! Page 53? -Page 53.
-This should be fun. -Mmm, I'm all about the work.
Okay, we just need to nail down our lighting and our sound
and, ta-da, we've got a show.
-I need some bodies for the rooftop scene. -I can do Troy.
Fine.
(MUMBLING) Or at least some people think so.
Carlos, stand in for Gabriella.
Do we have a working lightboard?
Do we have a working light switch?
Found it!
(BOTH SCREAM)
CARLOS: Sorry, everyone.
My uncle Ruben said there was gonna be
some leftover stuff from the fashion show.
I guess, the theme was "'80s rave"?
In a nuclear reactor?
(ALL LAUGHING)
Big Red, do we have anything more flattering?
Uh, working on it!
Okay, Troy, basketball stuff, Gabriella, math stuff, nobody doesn't cry,
and we end up here center stage.
Gabriella, give us your cue.
"Remember in kindergarten, you'd meet a kid, know nothing about them,
"then ten seconds later, you're best friends?"
-"Yeah." -"Singing with you felt like that."
"Look, I never thought about singing, that's for sure.
"Until you.
"And now, I don't wanna stop.
"Ever."
That's excellent and a little weird.
Big Red, can we hit these guys with a spotlight?
BIG RED: Uh, I'll look for it.
What is happening right now?
Oh, I'm just emoting, Carlos. Feel free to join me.
This is a tech rehearsal and I'm your choreographer.
Okay, boys, let's not wait for the lights.
Just stand on your marks and gimme your cue again?
(MOCK CRYING)
"I never thought about singing, that's for sure.
(EJ SNIFFLES)
"Until you.
(GIGGLING)
"And now, I don't wanna stop.
"Ever."
MISS JENN: EJ?
(CHUCKLES)
Yeah.
Are you sick?
Wait a minute, I know what's going on here.
(MISS JENN SCREAMS)
-Big Red, did you do that? -BIG RED: No.
(SCREAMS)
I... (SIGHS)
"Remember in kindergarten, you'd meet a kid, know nothing about them,
"then ten seconds later, you were best friends?"
-"Yeah." -"Singing with you felt like that."
"I never thought about singing, that's for sure.
"Until you. And now, I don't wanna stop. Ever."
You know what, I know these lines. Should we just lose the scripts?
Uh, for sure, yeah.
Okay.
"Remember in kindergarten, you'd meet a kid, know nothing about them,
"and then ten seconds later, you're best friends?"
"Yeah."
"Singing with you felt like that."
"I never really thought about singing, that's..."
Actually, sorry, do you remember, in kindergarten,
-when I couldn't pronounce your name? -(BOTH CHUCKLE)
You had a hard time with vowels back then.
RICKY: Yeah.
Plus, I, uh, never really loved the name Nina anyway.
I couldn't say my A's. So, I called her Nini. (CHUCKLES)
And it just, um...
It just sorta stuck.
I still can't think of you as a Nina.
(CHUCKLES) You could just call me "buddy."
-Oof, sorry about that one. -(GIGGLING)
Wasn't a good day for me.
Yeah, I get it.
And just for the record, I was Richard Bowen until first grade,
when you started calling me Ricky. So, pot, kettle.
Okay, I'm sorry, but nobody under the age of 50
should be named Richard, and I couldn't look you in the eye.
(SCOFFS) Was it the name or the fact that I microwaved your Barbie that year?
(CHUCKLING) Maybe both.
-Hmm... -Man...
Ah!
I guess we've had a few mishaps.
Yeah, more me than you, right?
Remember when I took out your lemonade stand doing a wheelie?
(LAUGHING) Yeah, I do.
And then, was it fourth grade when I ate your science project about moldy bread?
Ah, I think we both suffered on that one.
And I couldn't even say, "I love you" when you wrote me that song.
(ACCIDENTLY PLAYS PIANO)
Um...
Do you, uh...
Maybe we should warm up our voices.
-Oh, yeah, yeah, good idea, we do. -Yeah, just in case we have to sing later.
-Smart. Yes, good plan. -(CLEARS THROAT)
Okay, let's pretend we've figured out the lighting.
If we've got a sound system, we've got a show.
I need someone to sing for microphone levels.
Who's not doing anything?
Kourtney is an amazing singer.
(LAUGHS NERVOUSLY) I'm a singer, not an actor.
This voice is for church.
Thank you for volunteering.
Just sing anything from the show. Doesn't matter what. No judgment.
This is a safe space.
(MICROPHONE FEEDBACK)
(SINGING) I believe in dreaming Shootin' for the stars
Baby, to be number one You got to raise the bar
Yeah, we're gonna Bop, bop, bop, bop to the top
Slip and slide and ride that rhythm
Jump and hop Hop 'til we drop
And start again
Zip, zap, zop, hop like a mop
Scoot around the corner
Move it to the groove 'til the music stops
(MICROPHONE FEEDBACK)
(ALL GROAN)
(APPLAUSE)
GIRL: That's so great!
Yeah, Kourt!
Kourtney, honey, that was a wow.
Yeah, Kourt!
MISS JENN: Unfortunately, it seems we have now broken the sound system,
the lights, and possibly me.
Carlos, could you please clear the theater right now?
So good!
Miss Jenn, are you okay?
-You've been acting a little... -I'm fine. I just need a minute
or a vacation. It's not clear.
Okay, everyone, um, follow me. We are going to take a long five?
GIRL: All right, then, come on.
GIRL 2: Good girl. Good job!
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
You looked in the audition files, didn't you?
Oh, boy.
I tried to warn you. Those were for Miss Jenn's eyes only.
Not a problem,
'cause apparently, I don't have emotions.
Sometimes you do have a way of performing that doesn't exactly feel authentic.
Then what was I just doing onstage?
That felt more like an allergic reaction.
And what's authentic to you, Carlos?
A forest full of human beings?
That concept may need a little bit of time.
And so do I.
Miss Jenn?
I don't think I'm alone in noticing that you seem a little...
On edge?
I was gonna say "fully freaked out."
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
-This is where I was sitting. -Sitting for what?
The Utah premiere of the High School Musical movie.
This entire row was filled with family, friends.
But the only audience I cared about was Lucas Grabeel.
-You may know him as... -Ryan.
I had one line in the movie.
He was the only lead who came up to me on set and said,
"You really nailed that line, Jessica."
I didn't have the heart to tell him my real name.
But they cut it. They cut my line.
"Is that the last apple?"
(AUDIENCE LAUGHING)
(ON SPEAKERS) How dare she sign up?
I've already picked out the colors for my dressing...
"Is that the last apple?"
I have a line here. Did I miss it?
That night set me back seven years.
My confidence was shattered.
What happened?
Is Kenny Ortega here?
-Miss, will you please come with me? -No, I'm in the movie.
No, don't "Miss" me. I... Did you hear my line?
"Is that the last apple?"
Wow, that's terrible.
Thank you, Ashlyn.
You know, if it helps, you inspired me to write a whole song about regrets.
I know, and now nobody will ever hear it,
because our PA system died faster than my career in New York.
(SIGHS) Miss Jenn, I think you need to find
a quiet place and, like, forgive yourself.
Use these.
My lucky crystals.
Haven't let me down once.
Use them how?
Whatever feels right.
You need to trust yourself, the way...
I don't know, the way we all trust you.
NINI: (SINGING) Me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me
You, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you
Me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me, me
Nini, Nini, Nini, Nini, Ni...
-All right, Ricky, let's focus. -(CHUCKLES)
-(PHONE CHIMES) -Oh, hang on.
-It's Gina. -Oh.
"Sorry, drama with my mom's job. I think we have to leave a day early."
-Oh, I feel so bad for her. -I can't even imagine.
-After all that work, just up and leaving. -Mmm.
I get it, though. Moving is a big deal.
I mean, I just mentioned this performing arts school
I was looking at to Kourtney, and she was not exactly thrilled for me.
Wait, that's amazing. Like a drama school?
It's in Denver.
Oh.
Uh, yeah, it's never gonna happen.
It's, like, super-elite. They'd never take me.
What? You're, like, one-in-a-million talented.
-What are you talking about? -You've never left Salt Lake,
you don't know how much talent there is out there.
That's not fair.
My parents took me to Disneyland once and I met a very talented Minnie Mouse.
Ah, yes, Minnie Mouse, your first crush.
Oh, actually she was my second...
BIG RED: Hey, guys?
Oh, uh... Hey, guys.
Uh... We're... We're ordering pizza
while Miss Jenn is having some kind of real-time midlife crisis.
You both good with pepperoni and soy cheese?
-Yeah, oh, yeah. -Yeah, that sounds good to me.
-Super good. -Is it good for you?
NINI: Mmm-hmm.
Cool.
Ohh.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
SEB: Hey!
Um, I heard you singing earlier.
Oh, yeah?
You're not gonna quit makeup crew, are you?
Sorry, I know you're multi-talented or whatever,
I just think you have a gift for making things look better.
I mean, the Sharpay makeup?
You made me look the way I feel.
Well, I'm not gonna quit my day job, but I don't like categories.
You know, why limit yourself to one thing, right?
Right. Cool.
And the singing was amazing too. You can do anything, I mean.
I know that, Sebby. And you can, too.
-Okay. -(CHUCKLES)
Hey, um, it's been a long time. Should we go ask what's going on?
She's having a moment. Maybe you can go and ask her.
I don't wanna freak her out more with my lifeless eyes.
Anyway, whatever. It's...
You were right, by the way.
Forest of Boys was a mess and coming here was a huge mistake.
I have no business taking charge of anything.
No, you stepped up, dude.
You always do. And, if I'm bein' honest, it's...
-Uh, you know... -Stupid?
Admirable.
EJ, was that a compliment?
Don't make me start emoting.
Okay. Well, the words were a four, but the sentiment was a solid ten.
(CHUCKLES)
I'm gonna walk away now. (CHUCKLES)
I can do this, I can do this, I can do this.
The past is the past and I can still pull off this show.
-Somehow. -(WOOD CREAKING)
Ashlyn, honey, is that you?
I can't tell if the crystals are working.
(GASPS)
(SOFT INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING)
Ryan, is that you?
Oh.
It's Lucas, Jennifer.
You remember me?
You actually know my name?
Of course I do.
This is your contractually obligated dream sequence.
Being back here,
it reminds me of that scene in the cafeteria.
Remember when I asked about the apple?
Jennifer, let it go.
But I can't.
When that line went away, I think I lost my way too.
You know what you need?
A time machine?
I was gonna say a song.
(SINGING) Those kids They do believe in you
And that's worth so much more
Than a line about a piece of fruit
Or a Tony Award
I was going for an EGOT.
Let's not get ahead of ourselves.
(CONTINUES SINGING) Think of this as the role of a lifetime
It's the part you were born to play
Keeping their dreams in your sightline
Now it's their turn to take the stage
Think of this as a role to remember
Like Elphaba or Éponine
I'm more of a Glinda.
It's all of the things you could ever bring to a scene
You know what I mean
So give it your all
Right from the start
You gotta play this from the heart
You're their teacher, you're the lead
And you're off book now
Give it a go Show 'em the way
We're all in this together at the end of the day
I should know, after all, I played Ryan.
CHORUS: Ryan
(SINGING) Is this the role of a lifetime?
The part I was born to play?
Showing them how to smile in the bright lights
Now it's their turn to take the stage
This could be a role to remember
Like Elsa or Eva Perón
I'll teach them to channel their feelings
I'll share what I know
And live for the show
I'll give it my all
Right from the start
I gotta play this from the heart
I'm their teacher, I'm the lead
And I'm off book now
BOTH: Give it a go Show 'em the way
You gotta let the music play
This is now and the rest is history
I felt small, I couldn't breathe
When they took that apple from me
But you're right here now
And you never know when you'll get a cameo
CHORUS: Cameo
MISS JENN: So give it your all Right from the start
You gotta let them play their parts
Tonight, all the roles will be played by the drama students of East High.
MISS JENN AND LUCAS: Give it a go Show 'em the way
You gotta let the music play
This is now and we're making history
History...
CARLOS: Miss Jenn, say something!
Ouch.
Sorry, was that last one too hard?
I'm the teacher.
Yeah?
And we're making history.
Everything's gonna be okay.
I know where we have to go.
Broadway?
Back to East High.
Oh, my God, how hard did I hit you?
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
-Dude? -Talk about it in the car.
GIRL: This can't get wrinkled because it'll show...
Hey, are you okay?
Yeah, I just... almost did something really stupid.
Do you wanna talk about it?
No, it's over. It was just a moment.
Okay.
Oh, hey! I heard you sang a song.
Oh. (CHUCKLES) It was ridiculous.
Yeah. That's what I heard, except maybe not in the way you mean it.
Oh.
No, honestly, Kourt, you have the best voice in school.
I don't know about all of that, but I'll say this.
I can tell why you like it up there.
(SIGHS)
See you in the car?
Uh, yeah, I'll catch up.
Okay.
KOURTNEY: Look, I'm not gonna give up on costumes or makeup.
But, for the first time, I see why Nini wants this so bad.
And if she's not gonna put herself out there, I'll do it for her.
(LINE RINGING)
WOMAN: Youth Actors Conservatory.
How can I direct your call?