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Julia Lester & Frankie Rodriguez on Bringing Musical Theatre to Disney+ in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: THE SERIES
May 17, 2024
BroadwayWorld caught up with Into the Woods star Julia Lester, who plays Ashlyn, and Frankie Rodriguez, who plays Carlos, to discuss bringing musical theatre to young audiences on Disney+, what audiences can expect from the new season of High School Musical: the Musical: the Series, and their favorite musical number. Watch the new video interview!
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Hi, guys
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Thank you so much for speaking with me today. I'm so excited about this new season of High School Musical
0:06
the musical, the series. Something that I really love about this show
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is that you guys are bringing musical theater to audiences all around the world
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So how do you hope that this series sort of continues to inspire people to fall
0:20
in love with musical theater? You know, I think that was the, that's
0:25
what happened with the original franchise. For me, it was definitely something
0:29
where I was like, oh my gosh, other theater kids exist, and they're out there, and other people
0:34
want to like stand on tables and sing. And so for me, it was like coming
0:38
from like a very small farm town where like football is everything. It was like kind of like a beacon of hope
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So I'm sure we're doing that for someone, and that makes me super excited
0:50
Yeah, absolutely. I think this is a dream scenario for all of us theater kids
0:56
And to be able to portray something that is so close to all of us, and to speak
1:03
to all of the fellow theater kids in the world is a really great privilege
1:07
And we're all like super grateful and super excited that we get to do that
1:11
Yeah, well, this season we're sort of seeing you guys in a new environment
1:15
You're at summer camp this year. So what was it like sort of filming something completely different from what
1:20
you've done the past two seasons? Yeah, it's exciting. I think the change of environment
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brings like a whole new energy. And like Shallow Lake kind of exists as its own character, too
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And so I think going back and rewatching it, it definitely made me nostalgic to like want to go back
1:38
So I think that's a good sign. Yeah, it's really interesting seeing our show evolve
1:45
beyond the confines of the East High Wildcat spirit that everybody knows and loves, which of course we still
1:52
carry with us all the time because we're forever Wildcats. But it was really exciting having
1:58
a totally new change of environment with new people and seeing how we fit into our world beyond East High
2:05
Yeah, well, something else really exciting this season is we're getting songs from High School Musical
2:10
but we're also getting some Camp Rock and Frozen songs. So is there a specific song or musical performance
2:16
that you guys are both really looking forward to people seeing? Ooh, I mean, it's hard to pick, but any of like the big dance
2:25
numbers are always fun. And I know we've already gotten to share It's On
2:28
And so that was one that I was really excited to show people. Yeah, there's a big road trip medley
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when we're heading to summer camp in the beginning of the season. And that was really fun to shoot
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a total mishmash of a bunch of songs that we grew up listening to. So that was really fun
2:46
Well, I'm so excited to see the rest of the season. Congratulations, you guys
2:50
And thank you so much for speaking with me today. Thanks, Michael. Good to see you
2:54
Let's go. And why are you all coming to the world's greatest camp
2:58
for two weeks? Because I'm a secret celebrity. I was actually looking for it because we all love each other
3:04
and something, something, Wildcats. Welcome, folks. I'm just going to need to collect your phones, snacks
3:12
and all electronic devices. It's only for two weeks. Sasha doesn't know that
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Sasha, it's your phone. This summer, Camp Shallow Lake has been selected for a very special opportunity
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to tell you all about it, Mr. Corbin Blue. You guys are going to be the first camp to put on Frozen. Oh
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Surprise! Best summer ever. It's my first camp. Should we spread out our bed assignments
3:41
or do the new girl cluster? My first boyfriend. Just hitting me now that you two are
3:45
going to be a thing all summer. My first time really going out for the lead in a show
3:51
It is time to introduce you to your director, EJ Caswell. Just freaking out a little bit
3:59
Shake your money maker, Caswell. I cannot focus on anything but auditions right now
4:08
What are the two main guys' names in Frozen again? One is, I want to say, Gary
4:13
None of them are Gary. You can't just zephyr on your way through auditions this time
4:19
I promise you, the best is yet to come. Scream! What's up, wildcats
4:28
Feels like these last few years have been leading up to something big. Nothing is going to ruin our perfect summer together. What
4:38
What? One could say the stakes have never been higher
4:48
And one will. The stakes have never been higher
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