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Entertainment Spotlight: Joshua Bassett, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
Joshua Basset is an 18 year-old actor and songwriter from Oceanside, California. He had a recurring role on Disney Channel’s Stuck in the Middle, recently guest starred on Dirty John and recently starred in a recurring role on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. In High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Bassett plays Ricky, a sarcastic yet charismatic skate rat and high school junior, who launches a bold plan to prove himself to his ex-girlfriend Nini — by auditioning to star opposite her in the school’s first-ever production of High School Musical. Joshua took the time to answer some of our questions:
Describe the role of Ricky in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.
Ricky is best described as a sarcastic sweetheart. He’s a skater, who plays guitar as a “side-thing.” Due to his parents’ rocky marriage, he has a difficult time with emotional intimacy, leading to a complicated love life. He “plays it cool” but really is a softy at heart.
What is your favorite line of Ricky’s (without any spoilers)?
It’s tough picking a favorite. I actually was able to improvise a chunk of dialogue in the season finale that made it in the final cut. It’s filled with spoilers, so you’ll have to take my word on it for now ;)
If you could spend one episode playing another character, which character would you want to play?
I would kill to be any character because they’re all so dynamic, but I’d actually rather BE Frankie Rodriguez (who plays Carlos). He’s the funniest person I’ve ever met. I envy his wit.
What’s your favorite song from the original HSM films?
“You Are the Music in Me” from “High School Musical 2” or “Breaking Free” from “High School Musical.” Both staples in my childhood.
How does it feel to be part of an iconic franchise like High School Musical?
I’m honored! How neat that the same people behind the iconic franchise I grew up with, put their faith in me for this series. It’s exciting, too, that it is its own thing – a kind of tribute to the first three, while also independently wonderful.
Thanks, Joshua! Catch High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+, and stay tuned for the rest of the HSMTMTS Spotlights, going live all week right here!
Entertainment Spotlight: Frankie A. Rodriguez, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
Rodriguez has worked in television and film for the last four years and can be seen in the guest-starring role of Eduardo on ABC’s Modern Family. In High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Rodriguez plays Carlos — captain of the color guard and the student choreographer for the show. Carlos thinks of Miss Jenn as a peer. He eats lunch in her office, has been drinking espresso since the 3rd grade and already has his Tony Awards speech memorized.
Describe the role of Carlos in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.
Carlos is the student choreographer for their school’s production of “High School Musical.” Broadway is his motivation and Miss Jenn is his BFF. He’s very bold, loves to be creative and has a wicked sense of style.
What is your favorite line of his (without any spoilers)?
“Do you follow Zac [Efron] on Instagram?”
Are there any aspects of the original HSM movies that fans can expect to see in the series?
YES! There are a lot of fun Easter eggs and surprises that fans of the OG High School Musical movies should look out for.
What was the first thing you remember being a fan of?
American Idol! I had to have every CD, poster, and magazine for every season.
What do you geek out about?
I definitely geek out about furniture and house stuff. I like to go on Instagram and look up certain hashtags for inspiration.
Thanks, Frankie! Catch High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+, and stay tuned for the rest of the HSMTMTS Spotlights, going live all week right here!
Entertainment Spotlight: Kate Reinders, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
A stage, film and television actress, Kate Reinders was a series regular on ABC’s Work It and Lifetime’s Sherri and guest starred on Modern Family and Ugly Betty. Her theatre roles include Broadway productions of Meteor Shower, Something Rotten!, Wicked, Sam Mendes’ revival of Gypsy and Beautiful, the Carole King Musical. Her High School Musical: The Musical: The Series character, Miss Jenn, is the school’s new high-energy, low-reality drama teacher, who believes musicals can save lives. She may suffer from serious imposter syndrome, but she would do anything for her students, even if it means fudging a few credits on her C.V.
Describe the role of Miss Jenn in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.
Miss Jenn is East High’s new drama teacher! A Salt Lake City native, she has taken a hiatus from her professional acting career to return home and pass on the gift of theater to the next generation of Wildcats. She is excited to show these kids that theater is so much more than just putting on a show. It changed her life when she was their age, and she knows it will change them, too. She’s “in the business of saving lives,” one kid at a time.
What is your favorite line of hers (without any spoilers)?
“Give us your tired, your poor, your chosen-last-for-dodgeball. You’re safe here.”
If you had a catchphrase, what would it be?
Trust the process!
Do you have any fun facts about the filming of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series that fans would be surprised to know?
Our kids sing live! And the hamster is real.
What are some themes that the series explores?
Our series is about learning to embrace what makes us all unique, quirky, and different— and finding out that our differences are what make us stronger together. And that sometimes you end up where you didn’t plan to, and that’s where you should be.
Thanks, Kate! Catch High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+, and stay tuned for the rest of the HSMTMTS Spotlights, going live all week right here!
Entertainment Spotlight: Olivia Rodrigo, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
Born and raised in Temecula, California, Olivia has been singing, playing music and acting since she was age six. She most recently starred in Disney Channel’s comedy Bizaardvark. In High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Rodrigo plays Nini, who just returned from summer theater camp after finding her voice, her confidence — and her new boyfriend. Fiercely loyal to her two moms, Nini is a star — if she can just believe in herself long enough to stay put in the spotlight. We got the chance to ask Olivia some questions:
Describe the role of Nini in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.
Nini is a junior in high school who you wouldn’t be surprised to learn is a huge theater kid. Throughout the series, theater really serves as a guiding light for Nini as she navigates one of the most confusing chapters of her life. I mean, she’s a junior- she has to deal with love, her girlhood, finding her voice and her confidence, the SATs, and so much more.
What is your favorite line of hers (without any spoilers)?
I love when Nini responds to a hiccup in her audition with the words, “I’m not thrown.” She is resilient, strong, and determined, and I think we can all use a little bit of her spirit.
What was the audition process like?
The audition process for the show was so much fun! I met Josh (Bassett) the first time I went in, and, after our scenes, we sang a super spontaneous cover of “Count on Me” my Bruno Mars. It was the most magical audition!
Do you have a dream role that you’d like to play one day?
Ooh, I’ve always wanted to be part of a musician biopic. Exploring who a musician is and what message they are communicating makes me connect so much more with their work. Music is such an important means of expression, and when you learn why a musician is saying what they’re saying, the music just becomes so much more meaningful to me. As for who I would want to PLAY, I’d say I would love to play Amy Winehouse.
What is the funniest blooper that happened during filming?
I’m not sure if this really counts as a “blooper,” but if anybody ever sees me after a dance number, they will probably think I just finished a marathon. I have no idea why, but I just get so winded.
Thanks, Olivia! Catch High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+, and stay tuned for the rest of the HSMTMTS Spotlights, going live all week right here!
Entertainment Spotlight: Larry Saperstein, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
Born and raised in Long Island, New York, Saperstein acted opposite Kiernan Shipka in the film Fan Girl and will guest star in an upcoming episode of BET’s The First Wives Club. A skater boy through and through, Big Red is the spiritual cousin of both Bill and Ted: always fuzzy and he’s been sleep-deprived since preschool. Big Red is weirdly devastated by Ricky and Nini’s breakup — his surest role is as their wisecracking third wheel. We got the chance to ask Larry some questions:
Describe the role of Big Red in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.
Big Red is Ricky’s best friend who sticks by him through and through. He is optimistic, yet a little fuzzy sometimes, which I think makes him so much more comedic and lovable. When Ricky decides that he wants to audition for East High’s production of High School Musical: The Musical, Big Red is initially opposed to the idea, but he wants to stick by his friend and be part of the action, so he experiments with being involved in the theater community, which I think is a really admirable and inspiring way to go about life!
What is your favorite line of his (without any spoilers)?
Big Red: “But we hate musicals”
Ricky: “I don’t hate musicals. I just hate when people burst into song in the middle of the street.”
Big Red: “Dude… That’s a musical.“
Tell us your favorite on-set experience (on or off camera).
One day, one of the crew members took a mannequin from the prop room and put it under the stairwell to scare people when they passed by. I remember the first time I walked past it with Josh and Matt, we thought it was a real person and screamed, and probably fell to the floor laughing. The crew guys were standing on the other end of the hallway laughing at us, and then it became a whole inside joke! After that, of course, I’d take people past the stairwell to see if they noticed it and they’d freak too! Our set is just one of the warmest, most supportive environments I’ve ever been part of, and I love that we can create a productive and healthy work environment but also leave room for joking around and goofing off!
If you could be transported into the world of a book, movie, or TV show, which one would you pick?
This is always changing because I have always had such a strong affinity for the otherworldly, and I’ve always been in awe of creators who have such a strong grasp on the world they’re creating and are able to think through (and successfully represent) every detail. Right now, I’ve been super into the new Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance series! I was always a huge Jim Henson fan; I loved the artistry of the puppets and the ability that he had to create such expressive characters. And the realm of Thra that The Dark Crystal explores is just so detailed and magical! So that’s been really inspiring me recently.
What’s the best advice that you’ve ever received?
I’ve been fortunate enough to have a lot of great mentors in my life who have taught me so many different things! One I remember the most is that once I was fortunate enough to meet Denzel Washington (I know right?!), and he told me “You never see a UHaul behind a hearse”. What he meant was that everything that happens now matters now; it won’t matter in 100 years. So I might as well make it count right now, and just live to be the happiest that I can be. I remember that really sticking with me!
Thanks, Larry! Catch High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+, and stay tuned for the rest of the HSMTMTS Spotlights, going live all week right here!
Entertainment Spotlight: Mark St. Cyr, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
A Louisiana native and an alumna of the ABC Diversity Showcase, St. Cyr’s credits include the film Marshall opposite Chadwick Boseman and Jussie Smollett, and the critically acclaimed Doomsday. He also guest starred on Chicago P.D. and After After Party. In High School Musical: The Musical: The Series St. Cyr plays Mr. Mazzara, East High’s somewhat robotic S.T.E.M. teacher. His belief in preparing students for the future often leads him to butt heads with Miss Jenn, who would rather sing about life than live in the real world. Check it out:
Describe the role of Mr. Mazzara in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.
Mr. Mazzara is the STEM teacher at East High and happens to have a fundamentally different philosophy on life & learning than the new theater teacher, Miss Jenn.
What is your favorite line of his (without any spoilers)?
“It’s always the right weather to cuddle.”
If you could have a conversation with Mr. Mazzara, what would you ask him?
Do you love robots so much because you love science, or is it because you are secretly a robot masquerading as a human with an excellent mustache?
If your character had a catchphrase, what would it be?
Without giving too much away, “…there’s free pizza, every Tuesday!”
If you could do a crossover with any other property, which one would you pick?
Star Wars. I recently flew the Millennium Falcon in Galaxy’s Edge - and I think Mr. Mazzara would be in heaven there with all the technological creativity.
Thanks, Mark! Catch High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+, and stay tuned for the rest of the HSMTMTS Spotlights, going live all week right here!
Entertainment Spotlight: Matt Cornett, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
Born in Rogers, Arkansas, Matt had a recurring role on Bella and The Bulldogs and guest starred on The Middle, Southland, and Criminal Minds, among others. He plays E.J., Nini’s new love interest, the supremely confident son of two corporate lawyers, who secretly battles the pressure of living up to his picture-perfect Instagram account. Co-captain of the water polo team, senior class treasurer, and trust fund baby…it’s not a good idea to cross E.J. if you get something he wants — like the lead in the musical. Check out his Spotlight:
Describe the role of E.J. in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.
E.J. is Nini’s new boyfriend that she meets at summer camp while taking a break from her old relationship with Ricky. He’s the perfect kid who has everything, raised in wealth and has always gotten what he wants. However, you soon learn that E.J. has a tendency to hide a lot of things about himself, living his life in a metaphorical filter while trying to find out who he really is.
What is your favorite line of his (without any spoilers)?
One of my favorite lines is from the very first episode. And it’s when E.J. says “She thinks I’m a Chad?!” What’s so great about that line is it really truly shows off who E.J. is. He just expects to be playing Troy in the production and when he instead lands the role of Troy’s best friend Chad and sees the outcome of what’s actually happening it really hits him. He doesn’t really know how to take it. It’s a very humbling moment.
If a theme song played whenever the character that you play entered a room, what song would it be?
That’s a really great question. I think any song that has anything to do feeling overconfident would fit E.J. However, E.J. actually deals with a ton of insecurities and tends to think deep down that he’s not good enough - that he has to put on this facade of being this confident guy. A song that fits perfectly with his inner conflict is “The Way I Am” by Charlie Puth. This fits so well because it talks about being this person who seems a bit “out there” but if you look underneath the surface, is also a little anxious and insecure.
Do you have a favorite character arc or storyline?
One of my favorite character arcs and storylines is definitely Carlos. I love seeing all of the stuff that he goes through throughout the season. The ups and downs that he faces and the way that he pushes through them is really inspiring.
What inspired you to get into the entertainment industry?
I did theater when I was in middle school, and I fell in love with it instantly. I loved the concept of getting to explore and play so many different characters, create backstories and put your own take on them. My favorite thing is getting to share that love and passion with other people and getting to entertain people with that. I just love making people happy and getting the chance to make people smile and laugh.
Thanks, Matt! Catch High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+, and stay tuned for the rest of the HSMTMTS Spotlights, going live all week right here!
Entertainment Spotlight Series:
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
Hey Tumblr, great news for all the High School Musical fans out there: we got the chance to interview the entire cast of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series! We’ll be releasing two Spotlights a day from Monday to Friday of this week to celebrate the release of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series on Disney+. Tune in, and find all the HSMTMTS Spotlights here.
tumblr heritage post productions presents: Inside Goncharov
We are humbled to kindly share an intimate look at the making of one of the most iconic films never made.
Join thespians Max Jenkins (Goncharov) and Caitlin Reilly (Andrey) as they clock in for a scene scripted by the legendary @canadian-finch.
This archival footage came to light during @netflix’s Dead Boy Detectives interview/seance. @overchers was also there.