Original subtitles

-One, two, three. -NINI: Ooh!

(CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS)

NINI: Last season on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series...

Our new drama teacher decided to put on a production

of High School Musical, the Musical

at our high school, where they filmed High School Musical.

I got Gabriella.

(SINGING) It's the start of something new

My ex, Ricky, got Troy,

and my boyfriend EJ was his understudy.

You deserve everything that's coming your way.

And the new girl, Gina, showed up and changed everything.

They schemed...

You're taking me to the homecoming dance.

Oh, my... Oh!

Summer's over.

NINI: But then they got redeemed.

...to figure out how to apologize for a while now.

There was drama off-stage...

Sweetheart, we've decided to legally separate.

NINI: ...back when we had a stage.

Oh, my gosh.

FIREFIGHTER: I have to red tag

the entire backstage area for a month at least.

Plans got rearranged.

They can't do this to us again. We just moved here.

Spend the night in our guest room.

Honestly, you can stay through Christmas if you want.

The cast kind of changed.

I don't know what to do when you start dancing.

-I don't know if I can do this. -You're the only person who can.

(SINGING) And we gotta get things Back where they belong

You need to do the second act. As Troy.

What are you doing?

NINI: But in the end, we were all in it together.

(SINGING) Soarin'

Flyin'

There's not a star in heaven That we can't reach

As for me, well, it's the start of something new.

Again.

KALYANI: I'd like to offer you a spot starting next month.

-You'll let me know? -Yeah.

Yo, Nini! You ready to go?

-MISS JENN: Oh! -(CAMERA BEEPS)

Okay, is everyone at places?

NATALIE: On it, Miss Jenn!

Are Gina and the dancers warmed up and limbered?

I don't want any injuries or lawsuits before the break.

GINA: We're good, Miss Jenn!

MISS JENN: Okay! I'm gonna hit record,

and then we need to get this all in one take.

-(CHUCKLES SOFTLY) -(CAMERA BEEPS)

Ladies, gentlemen, or however else you identify,

welcome to the East High Drama Club's brand new Instagram page.

(SINGING) I've been waiting for this moment

It's a start of something great And a chance to turn the page

It's my year, I'm gonna own it

Gonna take more care of me Put myself first 'cause I deserve to be

Hanging around the fire when it starts to snow

Bumping into someone under mistletoe

I can't wait to see what the future holds

All around I'm feelin' it, feelin' it

There's something in the air

About to go off right now

Lightin' it up all around I feel it comin'

Something in the air

A time to look forward to

Get ready for something new

I feel it coming

Somethin' in the air

Somethin' in the air

Getting comfy in my onesie, yeah

Let's kick back and take a break

I hope we're snowed in every day

There's no time to relax Got moves to make

Got ground to break

Get the reindeer out the way

I'm gonna make this season slay

The end and the beginning of another year

Taking in the memories that we made right here

The tree is goin' up and my roots are going down

All around I'm feelin' it Are you feelin' it?

There's something in the...

There's something in the...

Holding your hand when it gets cold

Promise me you'll never let go

It's winter break But we'll never break apart

A season of celebratin'

The memories we'll be makin'

Makin' a change Make a new start

I'm gonna make my mark

-There's something in the air -Air

-About to go off right now -Right now, hey, oh

Lighting it up all around

I feel it coming Something in the air

-A time to look forward to -Come on, come on

Get ready for something new

I feel it coming Something in the air

We are excited to announce that behind these doors,

the theater is being restored to its full, resplendent,

1960s-era glory over the holiday break.

(SINGING) Somethin' in the air

-I feel it coming, somethin' in the air -Yeah, yeah

(STUDENTS CHEERING)

MAZZARA: Hey!

School let out an hour ago.

Get outta here and enjoy the vacation.

Happy holidays, Mr. Scrooge.

New Year's Eve party at Ashlyn's!

Everyone's invited!

(ALL CHEERING)

Gina and I are co-hosting!

MISS JENN: You guys, wait,

I don't think I was recording the song.

Miss Jenn...

-Are you serious? -What?

GIRL: Are you kidding?

Go back to places?

What? I thought I pressed it.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Oh! See you later on today?

Wait, what's today?

I mean, it's a day ending in the letter "Y,"

so I just kind of hoped we'd be hanging out?

Aw, you.

No, you.

We're back, we're better than ever,

and I'm never going to break up with Nini again. Ever!

I love her.

I finally said it.

And I'm never gonna stop saying it.

You know,

good relationships are all about good communication.

Okay, I haven't told him yet.

I haven't told Ricky I'm leaving for Denver

in T-minus 13 days on New Year's Day.

I got in to the Youth Actors' Conservatory.

And it's a huge deal to me. But...

Honestly, Ricky's a huge deal to me, too.

So, I'm totally lucky and totally screwed.

I'm the only person who knows that Nini is about to leave town,

which, sad face, for real.

But seeing Nini follow her dreams,

it makes me wanna chase some of my own.

I might audition for the show. I might expand my friend circle.

I might get a job and some financial independence.

Basically, I'm lining up options this year.

It's the dawn of the Age of Kourtney.

(SQUEALS) Welcome home, roomie!

"Everything the light touches is our kingdom." (LAUGHS)

I still cannot get over

that Ashlyn is letting me crash with her this semester,

and that my mom gave me her blessing.

It's like, I am the girl who's never been to a sleepover before,

and now I'm gonna have, like, 100 of them in a row!

But whatever. It's not a big deal.

It's just, I feel really lucky.

-Oh, my gosh! -Welcome to my cave.

I love it!

Look, am I a hero for coming into school to work over the break?

That's not for me to say.

I'm helping oversee the renovation of our beloved auditorium after the fire.

Am I officially off the hook?

Also not for me to say.

But after the triumph of High School Musical,

it's time to turn my attention to the Spring Musical.

'Cause at the end of the day, it's all about the kids.

CARLOS: Hi,

would you like us to sing a Christmas carol for you?

(SINGING) Silent night

Wait, I thought I was taking tenor.

You're doing tenor on the second verse.

That's not what we practiced.

Merry Christmas!

Okay. All right, we got it.

(FIRE ALARM BEEPING)

(SIGHS) Jeez.

So, uh,

maybe don't tell your mom about this one?

RICKY: You think?

-MIKE: Hey... -Hmm?

Thank you for staying with me for Christmas.

(CHUCKLES)

Chicago's too cold for me, anyway.

It's good to be home, I mean.

Yeah, it's...

This house has been good to us.

Okay?

What's that tone?

Is this where you tell me we're moving?

Um...

"Um"?

I was gonna tell you after the holiday.

It's to a smaller apartment.

(DOORBELL RINGING)

It's Nini.

I'll, uh...

I'm gonna go upstairs,

give you some space.

I'm sorry, Ricky.

Was there something you said you wanted to tell me tonight?

Oh, yeah, um,

I just wanted to tell you how much I love

giving you gifts!

(BOTH CHUCKLE)

Um, I'm the worst at wrapping things.

Oh...

You're not saying anything.

No, it's just that, um,

the first, like, gift,

I can remember unwrapping under the tree is a skateboard

from my mom.

Oh.

This is really nice. Thank you.

Hey.

Nah, it's all good.

No, it's just the...

You know, first Christmas without her.

But you're here.

(CLEARS THROAT) So,

listen, I know money's kind of been tight lately.

Can I just say...

Don't have to say it's the thought that counts.

Seriously. You don't.

I've owed you a song for a while now.

So...

This is your gift.

I, uh...

I hope it fits, 'cause you can't return it.

Okay.

(RICKY PLAYING GUITAR)

(SINGING) I still remember the first time we ever kissed

We didn't need no mistletoe

Didn't know what loving is

And through every up and down

There's one thing that stays true

Christmas is better every secondit's with you

I don't got much to give

So, I hope you think this is

The perfect gift that I could give

To the perfect gift that ever lived

Yeah, this song's the second bestthat I could do

When the perfect gift is you, you

When the perfect gift is you, you

When seasons change and I've lost my way

It'll be okay with you by my side

And, darling, that's why

This song's the second bestthat I could do

When the perfect gift is you

-Ricky, that was incredible. -(RICKY LAUGHS)

Harry Styles could never.

No, I'm serious.

Meant a lot, Ricky.

Thanks.

I gotta stay in fighting shape for the Spring Musical, am I right?

I honestly can't wait to do it all over again.

And I'm never walking off stage in the middle of a show again.

Because this, us...

It's like the one thing,

the one thing I can always count on.

You're my home.

All the best costume deals happen between Christmas and New Year's.

A lot of people don't know that.

I keep thinking I'm not gonna learn new things from you, and then, bam.

You'd think you'd find High School Musical Two costumes

at Old Navy, but no.

It's a period piece.

Carlos, hide me.

Why are you hiding from a handsome man who isn't wearing a wedding ring?

Salt Lake is a small town, Carlos.

There's no other way to say it.

That man and I? We were once...

The Ricky and Nini of North High.

CARLOS: You went to North High?

There's a lot you don't know about me.

I was the star of every show.

He was a lacrosse player.

I dragged him kicking and screaming into Guys and Dolls our senior year.

I got Adelaide, he got Sky Masterson, and two months later?

He got into NYU Tisch on a full musical theater scholarship.

I was waitlisted at the University of Utah.

(SHUDDERS) Straight guys in theater.

MISS JENN: He dumped me the minute he got to New York.

I spent 15 years avoiding him on Eighth Avenue.

Why is he here?

Should we leave?

That's exactly what we should do.

MAN: Jennie?

Is that you?

Act normal.

I'm sorry. Have we met?

Jennie.

Zack.

Zackey Roy from North High.

"Luck Be a Lady"?

Oh, my.

Oh, my gosh! Zackey!

How long has it been?

Seventeen years, six months, and three cats ago,

but who's counting?

Wait. So, back up.

You were actually in the original cast of The Little Mermaid on Broadway?

ZACK: It's not a big deal.

I was the understudy for Prince Eric and I played a starfish.

I would kill a starfish to be a starfish.

Well, that's pretty much what the principal of North High said, too.

Oh, I got the Alumni of the Year Award last year.

They basically backed a U-Haul full of cash up and said,

"Will you come back to North and direct The Little Mermaid for us?"

Incredible.

Fingers crossed the Menkies' judges think so.

We're goin' for gold.

I'm sorry. I'm not following.

It's the Alan Menken Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater.

Oh, of course. Those.

They want me to bring Broadway magic to North, you know?

We're gonna have a 1,000-gallon aquarium onstage for Ariel to swim in.

They've written me a blank check.

It's an honor.

I think we might actually win Best Musical.

That's great, Zack.

But for my Wildcats, the reward is the work.

Oh! Yeah, absolutely.

I have a lot of respect for anyone who teaches as a backup plan.

-(CELL PHONE RINGING) -Oh!

It's one of my agents. I should get this.

Hey, look,

good luck with your show.

I heard High School Musical was adorable.

Hey, Tim.

MISS JENN: Ignore him.

The important thing is that we keep the show a secret

from the cast until I announce it tonight at midnight.

Yes!

RICKY: It's gotta be High School Musical Two, right?

I mean, Miss Jenn's obsessed with the trilogy.

Okay, A, shouldn't we be getting ready for a party?

And, B, how are you already practicing for a tryout

for a show that hasn't been announced yet?

I just wanna be ready.

The musical was good luck for me and Nini. I wanna keep our good thing goin'.

Okay, you might wanna take a seat,

and there's a part where I'm gonna need you to duck and cover.

Can you hold this speaker?

Sure.

Wait for it.

(MUSIC PLAYING ON SPEAKER)

(SINGING) Everybody's always talking at me

Everybody's trying to get in my head

I wanna listen to my own heart talking

I need to count on myself instead

Lose yourself to get what you want

Get on a ride then wanna get off

Push away the ones you should've held close

Did you ever let go

Did you ever not know

I'm not gonna stop, that's who I am

I'll give it all I got, that is my plan

Will I find what I lost? You know you can

Bet on it, bet on it

Bet on it, bet on it

I'm gonna make it right, that is the way

To turn my life around

Today is the day

Am I the type of guy who means what I say?

Bet on it, bet on it

You can bet on me

(PANTING)

You're totally gonna get the part.

You look like Shawn Mendes, and you sing like Shawn Mendes.

If I looked like that and sang like that, I...

Whatever.

Don't "whatever" me, lover boy.

Don't you got this new thing going with Ashlyn?

I'm psyching myself up to kiss her at the party.

At midnight.

I thought you guys already kissed once.

I don't know if that one counted.

It was opening night, everything was kinda crazy.

It could've been a fluke.

-(DOOR OPENS) -WOMAN: Big Red, are you down there?

Yeah?

Honey,

I need you to pick up a shift at the pizza place.

We're down a delivery boy.

Tonight?

New Year's Eve is a big money-maker for us.

Daddy's sciatica is acting up, and we need you!

Hey, Ricky.

Hi, Mrs. Red.

(DOOR CLOSES)

You got this, all right?

Splash some Throb before you show up.

Bet on it.

RICKY: (SINGING) Did you ever lose yourselfto get what you want?

ASHLYN: The party may begin!

Happy New Year!

(SQUEALS) My couple goals!

Oh! In the softest clothes I've ever felt.

You're literally wearing clouds.

They were a gift from Carlos.

I was thinking, "What's the opposite of an ugly sweater party?"

And then I conjured these.

Yeah, so it turns out Carlos comes from money.

Like, a lot of it.

For Christmas, I literally drew a selfie of us from homecoming.

He got me cashmere.

How are things with the new roomie?

Literally the best.

It's, like, six months ago,

I thought maybe Gina was borderline the bad seed.

And now, she's borderline my number one confidant.

Wait till you see her outfit tonight. Ooh.

Uh, can we talk about the fact that you are literally a vision in Uggs.

I wish I was brave enough to dress comfortably for a party.

What?

Kourtney came over and did me and Gina up in a 2007 theme.

-SEB: Ooh. -Say nothing.

2007 is a very ironic and on point theme

for reasons that I'm not at liberty to disclose until midnight.

It's because we're doing High School Musical Two, right?

Gina!

CARLOS: Wait...

What? How do you guys know? Did Miss Jenn tell you?

Sweetie, use your inside voice.

I'm Mexican and gay, this is my inside voice!

-(LAUGHING) -KOURTNEY: I mean,

why wouldn't we do HSM Two?

Our HSM was instantly legendary,

and we already have the cast and half the costumes.

Man, I was so excited to hold that secret over everybody's head.

Fill these out.

Ooh, is this Truth or Dare?

No, it's better. Write down your resolutions for the New Year.

We're playin' a game later.

Is that a rash on your wrist?

Nope!

I'm allergic to cashmere.

Hello, hello!

-EJ! -Hi!

I'm sorry I'm so late.

I was volunteering at the soup kitchen with the water polo guys.

Pics, or it didn't happen.

I'm actually taking a break from social media, so...

Wow. New Year, new you.

Are you gonna go in, or...

Sorry.

I'm just taking it all in.

Not to be like your stereotypical second-semester senior,

but starting to realize that every day

is the last time I'm doing stuff with you guys.

Oh, that's actually really sweet!

It's weird. You literally look so young to me now.

Oh, I'm growing a beard.

Oh. I thought that was dirt on your face.

Might grow it out. Depends on what musical we're doin'.

Jean Valjean isn't Jean Valjean without the facial hair.

Wait, have you seriously not heard what musical we're doing?

No. Was it announced?

Nobody say anything!

Okay.

MRS. RED: Okay, honey,

I need you to throw some dough. Fast.

-I don't care if it's pretty. -Mom...

What? Now we're down a delivery boy and a pizza maker.

Tonight, of all nights?

It's good for you!

Your Grandpa Noah wasn't much older than you when he started this pizzeria.

Wash your hands.

That's for you.

Happy New Year.

Hi. What can I get you?

(SINGING) I'm not gonna stop, that's who I am

I'll give it all I got That is my plan

Will I find what I lost You...

No, no, no. I had it all written out and everything.

My speech about going to Denver and how I wanted to do long-distance,

but guess what song Ricky wanted to sing for me the entire ride over?

(SINGING) Will I find what I lost

You know you can

Bet on it, bet on it

You can bet on me

GIRL: Whoa!

All right, Ricky.

GIRL 2: Wow, Zac Efron!

Okay, okay, okay! Does anybody not know we're doing High School Musical Two?

-We are? Whoo-hoo! -(GROANS)

GIRL 3: Happy New Year!

I'm getting a root beer.

Anyone want anything?

I'm okay. Thank you.

Look, after my little run-in with Zackey today,

I googled the Menkie Awards.

The top prize comes with a $50,000 reward for the winning school's Drama Department.

Plus, a college scholarship for some lucky student.

Fifty thousand dollars would change these Wildcats' lives.

I mean, the wig budget alone...

But the High School Musical canon is not gonna get us to the gold.

No.

If East High's Drama Department wants to really make a name for itself,

we've gotta qualify with an official Alan Menken musical.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Okay, listen up. Rules of the game.

This is important.

We need to set intentions

and be accountable to one another this year.

-ASHLYN: True that. -This is a terrible party.

Hey, watch yourself. Okay. (LAUGHS)

All right, resolution number one. Anyone's guess.

"I resolve to..."

(CHUCKLES) This is so stupid. I can't.

Come on, Kourt, you have to read it.

"I resolve to remember everybody fondly when I go to Duke."

Any guesses?

EJ! You got into Duke?

I mean, have I technically gotten "into" Duke?

Did my father and our grandpa before him also go to Duke?

Guys, I think it's just a matter of time.

-Okay. I lost track of the air quotes. -(ALL LAUGHING)

Okay. Resolution number two.

Oh, I don't get this one.

-Just read it! -Yeah, come on, read it!

This one doesn't say anything except the words "My cows."

You guys, I thought we were writing down what we're thankful for.

GIRL: So sweet!

GIRL 2: Seb!

EJ: A for effort, Seb. A for effort.

Read another clue, Kourt.

Um, here we go.

Okay. Let's see what we got.

Um...

"I resolve to follow my dreams, however far away they take me."

That's gotta be Gina. Right?

Nope.

Not me.

Uh, it's me, actually.

Back to the game, Kourt.

Okay, yes, I will.

Um, let's see. Next.

(CLEARS THROAT)

"All I want is for our generation to save the planet, and I would also like

"absolute clarity about my love life.

"Thank you."

(ALL CHATTERING)

(CHUCKLES) Who is it? Is it you?

Look. Am I worried about the fact that he still isn't here?

Do I need to immediately define this relationship?

Not at all.

But I'm Ashlyn.

I like to know what's happening in my own life.

That's my resolution.

-(DOORBELL RINGS) -GIRL: Hey. What's up?

It's Big Red.

Six pizzas.

Two with lactose-free cheese. I'm here.

Yes. Thank you.

Good Lord, dude, did you fall into a bucket of cologne?

(MUSIC PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS)

Dude, what's going on? It's been, like, five minutes.

I need to un-Throb myself.

Why, what's up with you?

Does Nini seem a little weird to you?

I mean, I just got here,

but girls are a complete mystery to me.

You know facial blindness?

I have that, but with emotions.

I mean, I also have facial blindness.

Yeah, it's probably nothing.

Remember, my feedback is both precious and invaluable.

So, think of this medley as a pre-audition workshop.

You may begin.

NINI: Go, Seb! ASHLYN: Yeah, Sharpay!

(SINGING) It's out with the old And in with the new

Goodbye, clouds of gray Hello, skies of blue

A dip in the pool

A trip to the spa

Endless days in my chaise

The whole world according to moi

Just sing it.

(SINGING) I want fabulous

That is my simple request

All things fabulous

Bigger and better and best

I need something inspiring to help me get along

I need a little fabulous Is that so wrong?

CARLOS: Take it, Ash!

(VOCALIZING)

(SINGING) You are the music in me

That's my cousin.

(SINGING) You know the words "Once upon a time"

Make you listen

There's a reason

Come on, G.

When you dream There's a chance you'll find

A little laughter, or happy ever after

You're a harmony to the melody

Echoing inside my head

-A single voice above the noise -Single voice

Like a common thread

Ooh, you're pulling me

When I hear my favorite song

-I know that we belong -Ooh

You are the music in me

Yeah, it's living in all of us

It's brought us here because

You are the music in me

Yeah, yeah, yeah

You are the music in me

Yeah, yeah, yeah

You are the music in me

-NATALIE: One minute till midnight! -(ALL CHEERING)

Come on, Big Red!

(SINGING) Everybody, all for one

Our real summer has just begun

Let's rock and roll, and just let go

Feel the rhythm of the drums

We're gonna have fun in the sun

Now that all the hard work Work is done

Everybody one for all

And all for one

All for...

-NATALIE: Ten seconds till midnight! -(CHEERING)

ALL: Ten,

nine, eight,

seven, six,

five...

-Three, two... -(DOOR OPENS)

MISS JENN: I have an announcement!

You cut your hair!

Thank you.

Wait, do you like it?

That's not the announcement. Okay.

Um... (CLEARS THROAT)

Contrary to rumor,

we are not doing High School Musical 2.

-GINA: What? -Oh, my gosh.

MISS JENN: We are doing an American classic.

Beauty and the Beast.

And I know East High just did it a couple years ago.

But you didn't do it my way.

And you didn't win the most important award in all of theater.

The Tony?

The second most important award.

-The Drama Desk? -GIRL: Oh, my gosh!

MISS JENN: Everyone, calm down!

This semester,

we are entering the Alan Menken Awards for High School Musical Theater.

And we are going to win.

(ALL SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY)

CARLOS: Um...

That means beating North High, Miss Jenn.

They have a thousand-gallon Little Mermaid aquarium.

Then we will have an aquarium, too.

In Beauty and the Beast?

Okay, I need to study the text.

So, who is ready to show the world

they deserve to get that scholarship to NYU?

I mean, who is ready

to go from amateur thespians to statewide award winners?

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

What team?

Wildcats!

-This is gonna be everything! -Yeah.

You were born for this show.

I can already picture you in Belle's gold dress.

I'm in, if you're in.

Ricky, I'm moving to Denver.

Oh.

-(BALLOON POPS) -(ALL EXCLAIM)

Buckle up, Wildcats.

This party's just getting started.

(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)