Kate Reinders Teases a New Season of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: THE MUSICAL: THE SERIES

Welcome to Backstage with Richard Ridge

My guest, I have known her since her Broadway debut in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

You know her from such musicals as Into the Woods, Gypsy with Bernadette Peters

Wicked, Something Rotten, and Beautiful, The Carol King Musical. And millions of TV fans have fallen in love with her as drama teacher, Miss Jen

on the hit Disney Plus show, High School Musical, The Musical, The Series

which kicks off season three on July 27. Please say hello to my friend, Kate Riders

Hi. You look sensational. I love, is it a dress? Is it a blouse

It is a dress. Yeah, it's a dress, but, you know, we're zooming

So this is what you get. I love it. First of all, how are you and where are you

Right now, I am in Michigan at my parents' house where I grew up

This is my dad's den, if you will. picture of my parents when they started dating. Oh, my mom when she was tiny. Oh, me and my

brother, me and my brother when we're little. Look at that. That's me. And daisies that I picked for

us, you know, just to give it a little something extra. But yeah, I'm in Michigan and we're just

seeing my parents and, you know, relaxing. I love that because I was like, wait, this is just the

road we were in the last time. And I'm like, this is really awesome. No, this is, yeah, this is

the Kate Rinder's colon of Kate Rinders' is childhood colon the series

What's it like being home again? Did you grow up in this house? Yes, I grew up in this house. It's pretty much the same. And no, and it's great. I mean

I'm really, really lucky that I can still come home to the place that I grew up in. And so we are in

Michigan and we're on this little lake, this smaller lake, spring lake, that then opens

up into, it goes through Grand Haven into Lake Michigan. So if everyone wants to know, this is where we

are. So yeah, so we've been out on the boat a couple times. And it's just, I mean, the pace is

slower here and I really appreciate it. In a way, I did not when I was growing up. Of course

we never do. We never do until we come back there. Is your bedroom that you grew up in? Is it still

Kate's room? Yes. And there's a little, well, actually, it's Luke's room now

but there's a little, like the light switch plate even says Kate's room, like painted on it

I love this. My mom doesn't get rid of those things. No mom does

I think. Right. I love that. Okay. So you and your husband, we love Andrew, one of the biggest favorites here at Broadway World and your son, Luke, how old is Luke now

He just turned five. That's crazy. I know. And Andrew isn't here with us

Andrew is doing Lampica at La Jolla Playhouse. which I believe is coming to New York, right

That is what everyone says. Yeah, and we've heard the rumors and we've heard this and we've heard that

So I'm not going to say anything because who knows what is really going to happen

But yes, it is supposed to be Broadway bound. We hear it's sensational and I cannot wait to talk to him about doing that show too

Because like I said, we miss it here at Broadway World, but you know, just so you know. Now we have to get talking about Disney Plus series, which is high school musical

musical the series, which is getting ready to kick off its third season on July 27th

All right. How excited are you for season three? So, I mean, I just, I love this show. I love

this job. I'm so lucky. I mean, I still, yeah, season three and I still pinch myself that I get to

be Miss Jen. But I think it's going to be really, really fun. And I'm so glad that it's coming out in

the summer because it is summer camp. So it's perfect. And I think, I think everybody

We'll love it, love it, love it. All right, let's talk. So the teaser has just dropped

It's a fabulous trailer for season three. So for the fans who may not know yet or have not seen the trailer yet, what's happening in season three

Like, where are the kids going? The kids have gone to summer camp

And if you recall, they have spoken about this camp before. It is when season one, all the, you know, in the pilot, where Nini and E.J

hooked up and where Nini went on as marrying the librarian, la, la, la. So this is the camp we have

heard about. And they are there. E.J. is sort of the big man on campus at this camp, as we already

knew. And, but it's the first year there for, I'm like, for Dara, I mean Courtney, for Julie, I mean

Ashland. Right. So for the kids, it's the first summer for some of them. And then we meet some new

kids and then and then some old high school musical people who we have always loved like Corbin

Blue is in it and what a great guy. What a great guy. And it and it was, I mean, I know our show is

sort of meta anyway, but but it was also very meta in that, you know, he was their age when he

did the movies and now, I mean, he was, he's not as old as me, but, um

But, you know, he was definitely being such a good example, such a good role model to them of what success at a young age can, well, it doesn't have to make you not a nice guy, is my point. You can stay wonderful and generous and kind. So I think they learned a lot from him

It must be a big pinch me moment for them. I mean, this is a full circle moment to have fallen in love with him from high school musical. And now he's on the series with these kids

I know. I know. And there are a couple little, I think, like, I don't know, Easter eggs or something that if you really know the movies and you really know, like, you will catch them, but I'm not going to tell you anything. But we also have Jason Earls, who was on Hannah Montana, who when we started the show, he's sort of like the acting coach slash big brother slash also, I mean, everything, right? I mean, when we start. And actually, they joke that we're like mom and dad of the show. But, um

But so in the very first day, they were freaking out about Jason Earls because they grew up with Hannah Montana

And it was great for him to be on the show because we've not, I mean, you know, we know that he knows how it's done

But just to watch him do it, it's like, oh yeah. I mean, some people have just got it

And he does. Yeah. And then another special guest star is Jesse Tyler Ferguson

Yes. Yes. Well, and what do we need to say about that? I mean, he's perfect. He's wonderful

And I don't know if we know, do we know what he does on the show, or is that a secret

No, it's sort of just in the trailer. He has this one line. He says something

We see that he's there. Okay, so I'm not going to say anything except that it's good

Okay. And then you have Jojo Siwas on the show too. Jojo Siwa. Now, I didn't get to work with her, but apparently that's great and exciting

And anybody else? Well, there are a couple new kids who are very talented, of course

And Meg Donnelly from Zombies. She's on it, too, at Star. Yep, she's great

I mean, I was watching this, like the trailer. It's a lot. It's a lot

It's so great, though. And like you said, there's new kids this year, too, right? Yeah

Yeah. And they hold their own for sure. All right. How much fun have you had working on season

I mean like I've talked to you about season one and two and like you said I know it's just crazy that you live in this world that you absolutely adore

What was it like doing season three or still doing it? Well, yeah, we're done

Well season three well what was I mean what was so fun for me is because normally miss Jen is at East High right Like Miss Jen exists at East High That is it Unless you know she like following the kids out on their you know fun outings

But this is definitely Miss Jen following her kids wherever they may go, even if it's a long drive away

But also Miss Jen being there at the drop of a hat if they need her

So, I mean, I sort of love that that, that I'm not just their teacher

you know, that I am important and that they are important to me anytime, anywhere

Here I come. But so, yeah, so it's a different setting, but it's the same love

See, that's why I love watching the trail. I'm like, oh, my God, all my favorite show up in this

And it's like, you know, there you are helping somebody out. It's only, they only give you this little quick little snippet, but like, oh, there she is

She's going to help someone out during the audition process. You know it

Yeah. If they need me. Yeah. All right. Now, the big musical they're doing at summer camp, it's already been announced. You can talk about that. I mean, what's doing? For frozen. And I don't know if they have discussed who is playing whom. But all I, so I am not telling you, except I will tell you that, that I did see some performances. And things happen that have never been done like that before and just are going to

blow your mind, melt your face. I mean, all of it. So I'm so excited for everyone to see it

It's like they take in high school musical to series to a whole other level. Like each year

it blows up even more. And I can't see where they've gone with this. And now this

it's so exciting to watch this trailer for this, for this season. It's so great. It's so exciting

It really is. It really is. And the kids, I mean, you know, when we started too, you didn't, well, I didn't

nobody knew them as well. And now we really, really know them and we're really invested

And also, I think they've gotten a little older, a little more confident. They, you know

they've grown into their own skin. And it's really showing. So I was going to ask you

what have you learned from these kids? They're so talented, everybody on this show

Honestly, I feel like what I learned from them is to just have confidence in yourself

And it's so, it's so funny because, you know, it's so much easier to give

advice than to take your own. And so it's so much easier for me to want them to be kind to themselves

and to recognize just how talented they are. And then, you know, they're also very old souls and

they're very, very mature and professional. And so they do encourage me just the same. You know

they're so sweet. And they show up to watch things that they're not in just to cheer me on

And yeah, and at the end of season two, we had a little gathering where we watched all the musical numbers

Because, you know, season two is a really weird, COVID crazy pause and start season

And so we did. We just watched everybody's number. And we were all just so supportive and crying

And we're a family. I mean, that's what it is. We're a family. And I'm the mama

Of course you are. When did you film season three? I mean, what was the time period

Was it like? I'm not even exactly sure, but it went pretty fast

And it actually filmed in L.A. And I was still in Salt Lake because Luke was in preschool

And we have a house there on a cul-de-sac. We have all these friends, these neighbors

And so we just, we stayed. And we're still there. And I mean, I don't know if we're ever leaving

I think I might live in Utah. I mean, Luke definitely is a Utah, Utah, Utah, Utah, Salt Laker, Salt Lake Cityer, who knows

But we, yeah, we love it there. And so, yeah, no, season three went pretty fast

And I'm allowed to say we're doing season four, right? Yeah, yeah, great, great

And we're about, we'll start that soon and that's supposed to go pretty fast too. So, you know, we're getting in the groove

Must be so cool. Like, oh, my God, season three's been announced and is ready to kick off

And then all of a sudden, like, and by the way, we're also doing a season four, too. So it's like, yes

I mean, just, I know, just tears of happiness all the time. But that's Disney and Disney Plus

I mean, you never hear of a time. Everyone's waiting to find, have a show been picked up again

And you're like, we're kicking off season three. And we're also announcing that season four is right behind it, you know

Well, I think they know what they've got with these kids. And they just know, too

It's like, strike while it's hot. These kids are. just so great. And I mean, they're not, they're not getting old anytime soon, right? That's me

But, no, but it is like they're great and actually get them now before they go off and do their world

domination things, right? All right. Well, we have to talk about, I want to mention Julia Lester

who of course, plays Ashland. She just made her Broadway debut. I mean, I for her, of course

as Little Red, into the woods, which I got to see at City Center first, watch her do it there

and then I was with her on opening night on Broadway. She is so lovely and so..

Oh, I know. And I'm so jealous of you that you've seen it already. I'm plotting my like one day trip to New York so I can go see her in it because I cannot stand the idea of missing it

No, but really, I mean, from day one, and Julia knows this

From day one, I was just like, come here. Like, come here. You are so talented

You can do anything. You can sing anything. You can dance and act. she has more talent than anybody real

Well, maybe everybody realizes it now. But no, it is in her blood

It is in her soul. It was just a matter of time. I mean, really, now Broadway is going to be fighting to get her back

I mean, EGOT, right? I don't know. EGOT by 25. It happens

But besides being so talented, she's so nice. And to watch her, I mean, she stops the show as Little Red, just stops the show

So I want to ask you, of course, you know, you were in the Broadway revival of Into the Woods

I was. I mean, several roles, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Milky White, and Repunzel

Did you go on for Little Red? I was mainly there to cover Little Red

And again, I went on a lot. And we started out of town at the Amundsen, so they have like the kid rules

And so I was, how old was I, 21, 22, something. Anyway, so I was not actually a child, whereas our Little Red was

But so, yeah, I went on a bunch. And so, yeah, I love that show

And I love that role. But honestly, I know Julia is way better than I ever was

And I can't wait to see her do it. Because you two have to have any conversation about this yet

or you have to have a conversation with her about what it was like, were you playing her and what she's going through now

Well, I mean, mainly we text, but honestly, our texts are more just like, I miss you

How's Luke? How's your family? How's Broadway? I love you. Like, you know, those sorts of things

Yeah. Yeah. I mean, she can ask, she doesn't need any advice from me

That's for sure. Well, it's mainly me just being like, I know you're the best one ever

I'm so proud of you. She's so good. But it's just so good to see all the kids on high school of musical

I'm looking at all them. And boy, they're also talented from season one to season two to season three

And I can only imagine what they're going to do in season four. I know

And I don't know exactly what's happening in season four yet either

But I think, I think, I know that there are, I've heard, you know

whispers of auditions that are happening. So I know that there will be new people

And, you know, I also, I was at the jimmies this year

And you know and Tim did say like keep an eye out I mean he no fool He knows there is major talent out there and he wants it And so far he just sees it and he gets it

So we'll see what happens. But yeah, I love seeing all the new kids, although it's going to be hard for me and Ms

Jen as these kids graduate. So I really need some new kids coming in

But they will never take the place. I mean, I'll just have more kids. Lots and lots of kids

Or just hold them back like they did in Greece. Right? You flunk

No, you flunked. I will not pass you because I need you next season in my musical

I need you for season five and six and seven. I know for job security

Let's talk about the success of this show. It has been amazing. I have talked to so many parents with kids like, oh, we watch this together

I mean, people have grown up with this. I mean, let's just talk about the success of

high school musical of the series and what you think about that and how it blew up so quick

Well, what's, I think what's so great about it is that it is sort of, um

you know, in the beginning they were saying, we would love it to be sort of like a Pixar movie that appeals to all different

age groups, right? So you can watch it with your tiny little three year old and you can watch it with the

grandparent or whoever and everybody will find something that they love and relate to. Um

but I think it's also because it is based on a prior world

So that sort of gets the middle-aged kids that aren't parents yet, but aren't kids anymore

but they're the people that remember it when they were kids. So it's interesting, I mean, it's really amazing to see who watches it and who loves it

and who, you know, reaches out to me about it. But I would say mainly it is the littler kids who stop me and who know it's me

Yeah. That's got to be wild. This, yeah, and I see her

She lives in our cul-de-sac. I don't know. Maybe they do care, but I don't think they do because I think they've realized it's just Kate

It's just, it's just Kate. Although they did, you know, they have, like, fun things in Utah that they do

And one of the things they do around Valentine's Day is they heart attack people

So it's sort of like a boo or I've gotten booed too

But, you know, they put like Valentine's all over your front door to heart attack you

And it was like, we love you, Miss Jen. Miss Jen. Yeah

Love that. You know, I just want to talk about Miss Jen because, I mean, she's so tailor-made for you

I mean, what do you love the most about playing her and everything else

I mean, it's just, it's a perfect melding of, like, actor and material and material and actress

I mean, it's just so great. Well, thank you. I mean, I feel the same way

I mean, even when I auditioned for her, I read the breakdown and I said, oh, well, she's me

So, okay, she's me. but I actually think the line has blurred as it's gone on even more so

because it's like I am living Ms. Jen's experience and that we both came from being an actress and now we're a teacher

and now we're surrounded by these younger people who we are so invested in

and we care so much about. And also, you know, it's that next chapter of getting so much fulfillment

from watching these young people succeed. So, I mean, I don't know, right

It's chicken or the egg. Like, has Ms. Jen changed me or have I brought myself to Ms. Jen

Both, yes. Yeah. What has high school musical taught you about life and how important theater and the arts are

That's what I take away from this show too. Yes, and I agree

And I think, you know, being in the business for a while now, it is easy

to get, you know, to get sad, to get frustrated, to get just to sort of feel the trudge

Sometimes I was like, oh, what am I doing? But then this show, really, it's like, oh, right, that's why I fell in love with musical theater

Oh, that's right. It gives everybody this one thing. They're all working toward, and it's supportive

It's not competitive. It's, you celebrate your differences. I mean, it's all the reasons I fell in love with it

So it's been great actually to be reminded of that. Because, yeah, growing up is hard

Yeah, but it shows both sides of this. It shows how kids grow up and find friends and relationships

and all this other thing. And it shows their love of theater, too, and the arts. Yeah

I was going to ask you, was there a defining moment for you when you said, I want to be an actress

and try to make a living at this? Did you go to a summer camp

I know it's all happened to you in high school. Was there a summer camp that did musicals that you went to

No, it was, it was similar, but it was actually a summer stock theater in Mesquake in Michigan

It was called Cherry County Playhouse, and it moved down from Traverse City

And I was doing this summer day camp through the community theater, the civic theater

And I was maybe 12. And the woman in charge said to my mom, oh, you know, they're looking for kids to be in Gypsy at Cherry County

So I think Kate should audition for that. And, you know, long story short, that's where I ended up doing Annie and Secret Garden and Wizard of Oz and everything

And so every summer I had this magic capsule. But it was more than summer camp because the producer, Neil Rosen, would bring in directors from New York and also equity people

And so I really did get to see the real, the professional side

And then I still have my normal life during the school year

but it was it did make me realize oh you can do this as a as a career and also it was the first time

I got to meet all these different kinds of people and I really just was like these are my people

these these are my people and I'll wait here until I'm it's time for me to join them but that's where I'm

going I love that I'll wait here until it's time for me to join them I love that okay so that that

that summer you did gypsy who What did you play that summer and gypsy? Oh, I was a newsboy

And in Uncle Jocko's kid, I think I had my violin. But then I was a newsboy

I was the sailor, I believe. I did cartwheels across the stage

But Rita Moreno was Mama Rose. I'm just saying it was not a shabby summer stock theater

Okay, guys, Rita Moreno. And her real life daughter played Louise. And we had the baby June from Broadway

from the Tyn Daily Broadway. And maybe also the Tulsa. I mean, listen, we had awesome people

Wow. And I got to just like watch them and learn from them

Okay. All right. Well, speaking of Gypsy, you got to do that on Broadway. With Bernadette Peters, you played June

I mean, favorite memory, Bernadette's one of my all-time favorite people. I mean, as she is for everybody

What was it like playing June opposite Bernad-Dept Peters? Oh, Dream come true

Exactly what you think it is. Um, yeah, no, I grew up loving her, knowing who she was loving her completely. Um, but the thing about her that I think our whole cast and probably anybody who ever works with her, the thing that I treasure the most is watching her be such an amazing leader of that group. And, and some of my best memories are, you know, between shows, she would come up to my dressing room in her robe and she would sit down on my little shes and she would just say, so, who are we dating? And, you know, between shows, she would come up to my dressing room in her robe. And she would sit down on my little shes and she would just say, so, who are we dating? And, who are we dating? And she would be dating? And she would. And she would. And she

what's going on and tell me how you are and just she didn't need to do that but she was a mama to

everybody and um yes i mean talk about role models icons you know people we can only try to be

a little bit like yeah i love her all right broad me debuts like i said julius just made hers i mean she said it the most incredible thing It mind first Couldn even put the whole thing into words

Yours was in the adventures of Tom Sawyer, where you were a standby for a huge role in that, right

Amy and Becky, right? Yes, but this is my question to you

Isn't it your Broadway debut if you're in the show or do you need to step foot on the stage on Broadway

That's a good one. Because, okay, because we went out of town to New Haven. And there I went on as like four different kids. But then Tom Sawyer wasn't a huge hit. And I never actually went on stage at the Minskoff then. So I don't know what we're going to count. But if we don't count that, then my Broadway debut would be into the woods when I went on as a pig. And I bowed as a pig

All right. You know what that is? That is just character building, everyone

Dreams come true and character building. You have to change your Wikipedia page

because I think that's fascinating. You have to add a whole paragraph saying or just saying, when is actually a Broadway debut

Is it in a show that came to Broadway? But I didn't step on stage at the Minskaw

But I did the whole... Technically still a Broadway credit, right? Of course it is

I mean, or do you... And is it okay if you're a pig? have to play a person. Like where, what's, where are we splitting the hairs here? Well, I think the next time

I talk to him is she made her Broadway debut in the events of Tom Sawyer and in Into the Woods

and her physical actually going on the stage. You're right. That's maybe, maybe I had a double

debut. But, okay, I like double debut because I don't think anybody's had those, I don't think

I'm sure. I'm sure there's someone else who was the swing in a not hugely successful show

Interesting. Right? There must be. Well, we have to talk about this show right here

Well, there you go, y'all. There you go. This is my beach ball, which I've never blown out from good vibrations

I know you had the time of your life because there was so many incredible people in that show with you

Actually, isn't it crazy when you think about it? Well, we were all very young, right

So, I mean, in a way, it's kind of like high school musical. It's like, who knows where they're going to be in 15

Years, 20 years. Who knows? Already, Olivia is Olivia. So who knows? Yes, but good vibrations. That was

a beautiful moment in my life. And I was definitely on stage in that one, in a bikini. So a lot of me was right there on stage

I remember seeing all of you, like, do the, you know, the swim or whatever, the monkey or the, and the whatever

I told you, my family loved that show. To this day, they say

one of the best times they ever had was seeing that show and then meeting you all backstage at good vibrations

Well, you tell them thank you very much. I'm glad it was supposed to be fun

I mean, we never tried to pretend it was like super fancy. It was always fun

Yeah. All right. So the last time you were on Broadway, of course, was as with Cynthia in Beautiful

Yeah. All right. Do you miss us? Do you want to come home again? Do that eight shows a week

It's in your, what, it's in your muscle memory forever. Listen, I mean, do you

I am an actress. We go where we're asked to go. I mean, yes, of course I want to do something else on Broadway

I love, and yes, it's my first love, like you said, right? Theater is in me. But that's also why high school

musical, the musical, the series is the best job I could have ever asked for because it's still in there

You know, the theater is still part of it. But yeah, can you talk to somebody and get me a job on Broadway

I'll get to a job in between seasons four and five. Perfect

And do a quick 11 run or something in something you want to do. Great

Is there something that I can do with Julia? I'm not, I really don't have an answer

I'm just raising this question. Oh, so the Broadway world fans will answer this. Trust me, when they see

this interview, I'm like, what could you two do together? Okay, we're putting this

out there, Broadway Royal fans. What could Kate Reinders? We used to say, we

used to say we could do hairspray together, but I don't, I don't know

She needs to do what she wants to do. And then I'll just be whatever I can be in it

Okay. So the next time I run into her, I'm going to ask you the next time I see her out and about it

I'm going to be like a Broadway show, 12 weeks in between a season

Or for both of you, what would you like to do together? That's interesting. That's a really, really great thing

What could it be? I don't know. Okay. I'll think about it too. Oh, trust me. The Broadway world fans will let you know

So finally. They have a list already. Okay. Awesome. So finally, what are you enjoying the most about season three that kicks off on July 27th with High School Musical, The Musical, the series

Season three is really a summer of fun. And it's a great time to watch the kids in a different setting, just let loose and really come into their own even more

And yes, and their production of Frozen is amazing. So I can't wait for everyone to see all the different things that happen in season three

This was so great to catch up with you again. I love seeing you. I love seeing you and you always look so cute

It's all an illusion. I set myself on my little Zoom box. I had pajamas on the bottom

It was like I said, I adore you. Like I said, fabulous with season three

Love to Andrew and of course your son Luke and have the best time with your parents

And everybody watched season three once again. off on July 27th of

High School Musical, The Musical, the Series. Stay well, everybody, and we'll see you

at Disney Plus. Kate, love you. Let's go. And why are you all coming to the world's

greatest camp for two weeks? Because they're a secret celebrity! I was actually looking for it because

we all love each other and, you know, something wildcats. Welcome, folks. I'm just going to

need to collect your phone, snacks, and all electronic devices. It's only for two weeks

That Sasha doesn't know that. Sasha is your phone. This summer camp shallow lake has been selected for a very special opportunity to tell you all about it

Mr. Corbyn Blue! You guys are going to be the first camp to put on Frozen

Surprise! Best summer ever. It's my first camp. Should we spread out our bed assignments or do the nuclear cluster

My first boyfriend. Just hitting me now that you take. are going to be a thing all summer

My first time really going out for the lead in a show. It is time to introduce you to your director

E.J. Caswell. Just freaking out a little bit. Shake your moneymaker, Caswell

Tell me how you feel. I cannot focus on anything but auditions right now

What are the two main guys' names in Frozen Again? One is, I want to say, Gary

None of them are Gary. You can't just Zephyr on your way through auditions this time

I promise you the best is yet to come. Scream! What's up, Wildcats

Feels like these last few years have been bleeding up to something big. Nothing is going to ruin our perfect summer together. What

One could say the stakes have never been higher. And one will

The stakes have never been higher