High School Musical: Lucas Grabeel, Kenny Ortega and Bart Johnson talk about their favorite songs and moments

High School Musical: Lucas Grabeel, Kenny Ortega and Bart Johnson talk about their favorite songs and moments

Photo: France Knaff / Roster Con

First released in the United States on January 20, 2006, the High School Musical movie quickly became a phenomenon. 16 years later, the franchise can still count on the support of its fans all over the world as proven by the Back To The Musical World convention organized by Dream It Conventions in Paris. An event where it was possible to meet Kenny Ortega, Lucas Grabeel (Ryan Evans) and Bart Johnson (Coach Bolton). During a panel, they talked about their favorite songs and their favorite moments.

The songs of High School Musical: a worldwide success

Start of Something New, Get’Cha Head In The Game, Breaking Free, What Time is It?, Fabulous, Can I Have This Dance? are just a few of the songs that made the franchise a success and that allowed the first two High School Musical movies to top the Billboard charts, as Kenny Ortega reminded us during the convention. But among all these songs, which ones are their favorites?

For Lucas Grabeel, without a doubt, it’s the song I don’t Dance. The actor confessed that he grew up playing baseball, so he was particularly pleased when Kenny Ortega came up with the idea. He also said that it was especially fun to shoot, because even though Corbin Bleu is a very good dancer, he is a very bad baseball player. But, according to him, this does not show on the screen thanks to the magic of Kenny Ortega behind the camera who managed to make it realistic.

Bart Johnson said he liked all the songs and remembered that he is one of the only ones who does not have the right to have a song. This was one of his biggest wishes, because in real life he is a dancer and a singer and not a basketball expert. Kenny Ortega will explain that he would have loved a song between Coach Bolton and Miss Darbus (Alyson Reed) but that Disney did not let him do it.

For Kenny Ortega, it’s difficult to choose a favorite song but he mentioned one that has a special emotion for him. It’s the High School Musical song at the end of the third movie when the main cast sings. The team knew at that moment that it was the ultimate song and that it meant the end of this incredible adventure. The director thanked the fans several times during the event, as they were the ones who helped change their lives forever.

Their favorite moments in High School Musical

For Lucas Grabeel, his favorite moment was the first movie as a whole because no one knew at the time what would happen after the movie was over. However, he admitted that there was something special about Kenny. He remembered the choreography for the last song (We’re All In This Together) with the many extras on the set and the speech that Kenny Ortega gave, like a coach to his team. The director reminded them that what was important was not to focus too much on the choreography and to dance from the heart so that it would touch those who would watch the movie afterwards.

As for Kenny Ortega, he said that he has many favorite moments but if he had to remember only one it would be the first day of rehearsal. He remembers watching Bonnie Story and Charles Kaplow, the other two choreographers on the film, teach the different dance steps to the crew and felt an incredible energy and dedication from the cast. It was then that he knew in his heart that they were doing something special and unique. And history has proven him right.

Bart Johnson echoed the director’s words and said it was no accident that the film touched so many people. He emphasized the involvement of Kenny Ortega who created this universe, who chose the actors, the city, who rewrote the songs and dialogues to the result that we know. A feeling shared by Lucas Grabeel who pointed out that if High School Musical was such a special experience for all the members of the cast, it was thanks to Kenny Ortega who put all his heart and passion in this project.

Published on 20 January 2022
Last update : 21 January 2022

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