03x02 - Into the Unknown

[bunniefuu]

Previously on High School Musical:
The Musical: The Series...

There's nothing like
your first time at summer camp.

What's up, new campers?

Welcome to the Shallow Lake
of your dreams

With your first boyfriend
and your first true friends.

Trying out for
the first student production of Frozen.

I'm gonna be directing
the show about the show.

Don't you have someone to do it?

- Me?
- Mr. Director.

What's next? My first earthquake?

Bye, Salt Lake.

- Nothing's gonna get in our way.
- Excuse me.

Oh, my gosh. Is that EJ Caswell from
Disney+'s Frozen: The Musical: The Series?

They would never call the show that.

It's a way too long
and complicated a title.

Thank you.

Couldn't sleep?

I figured I'd get a start
on panicking early, you know,

seeing as I am now
the one who has to direct

the first-ever student production
of Frozen that will air in,

I don't know, countries?

Well, I am not panicking at all.

You're gonna be the best director

Camp Shallow Lake
and those countries has ever seen.

You literally have zero proof
to back that theory up.

I'm sorry. Can I just
believe in the potential

of my incredibly smart,
wildly talented boyfriend?

You forgot handsome.

You managed to be extremely humble
for about five seconds. It's a new record.

Okay, I'm not gonna lie.
I was kind of hoping

me and EJ would get
to play leads together.

You know, continue
the romance into the showmance.

Hey. You know, at least this way,
I'll get a good part.

Can you believe Ricky showed up?

When are you gonna tell
everyone you're directing the show?

Soon, at auditions,

but will you not say anything until then?

Hey-o!

- I'm so glad you're hearing the bugle.
- A what?

It's like the perfect start to the day.

Rise and shine, newbies!
You're on Shallow Lake time now. Whoo!

Oh, hey, guys.

- Whoo!
- Whoo!

Nothing like waking up
to a face full of steam.

Your bed is closest to the outlet.
Very prime setup.

So, what's the deal?

I thought you were gonna be
with young Cersei Lannister,

jet skiing and sight-seeing
and terrorizing innocent townspeople.

- Yeah, those plans are off.
- Do you wanna talk about it?

- Not even a little.
- Me neither. I was just being polite.

I cannot focus on anything
but auditions right now.

Auditions? I wonder what I'll get.
Or what I want.

What are the two main guys' names
in Frozen again?

Look, Ricky, I know at school you always
somehow fall backwards into a lead role,

but you can't Zefron
your way through auditions this time.

I'm not gonna Zefron.

Fine. I'll learn the two guys' names.

One is... I wanna say Gary.

None of them are Gary. There are no Garys.
It's freaking Norway, Ricky.

I'm kidding. I know their names.

I've seen the
smash hit movie, Frozen.

It's summer, Carlos.
We're supposed to have fun.

Fun is for the ensemble.

Uh...

Carlos?

That's Jet. I don't think he's
slept or spoken in the last hours.

There's a high chance he's the Babadook.

Hey, little guy.

I can't believe we're actually
gonna be in this documentary.

And to be directed
by Mr. Chad Danforth himself.

Okay, one could say the stakes
for auditions have never been higher.

And one will. I will.
The stakes have never been higher.

I think I'm having withdrawals.

I mean, this is the first day I haven't
had a headache in my entire life.

Isn't that a good thing?

No. I don't know who I am without screens.

So, camp's a little more rustic
than I thought it would be.

But hey. Aren't we all entitled to
a little bit of drama on audition day?

Mmm.

Do either of you have
a phone on you?

Can I just hold it? Just for a second.

I'm just gonna let it be known that
I'm going for gold at auditions today.

I'm finally ready to play the lead.
No apologies, no prisoners.

- Sounds like you brought Gina . to camp.
- No.

Look, okay, I loved auditioning
with you guys last year,

and we're still a tercet,

but I just feel like I need to stand
on my own this summer, you know?

Especially with
the whole documentary thing.

Like, that could literally be our future.

Okay, . .

I can be sweet
Then I can be sour

I could be dancing solo
Then step back into the crowd

I can go high
Then get back down to earth

Never gonna dim my light or my power

I feel like it's my time

Not the old me, . me
No, the real me's about to shine

On a tight rope, spotlight
Gonna make it mine

- I got the balance
- CHORUS: She got the balance

- I got the balance
- She got the balance

I'mma rise up, tip toes
Gonna make it mine

No doubt about it
I got the balance

She got the balance

B-A-L-A-N-C-E
I'll show 'em what I mean

B-A-L-A-N-C-E
I'll show 'em what I mean

I can do the most
Then go through the motions

I can be this or that
No matter what, it's gonna be expl*sive

And maybe before I was only half of me

But now I trust in my instincts
And I'm loving what I see

I feel like it's my time

Not the old me, . me
No, it's all of me combined

On the tight rope, spotlight
Gonna make it mine

- I got the balance
- CHORUS: She got the balance

- I got the balance
- CHORUS: She got the balance

I'mma rise up, tip toes
Gonna make it mine

No doubt about it
I got the balance

- She got the balance
- One foot in front of the other

I'm stepping out
Don't know what I'll discover

Just put one foot in front of the other

I'm stepping out
Don't know what I'll discover

On the tightrope, spotlight
Gonna make it mine

- I got the balance
- She got the balance

- I got the balance
- She got the balance

I'mma rise up, tip toes
Gonna make it mine

No doubt about it
I got the balance

She got the balance

B-A-L-A-N-C-E
I'll show 'em what I mean

B-A-L-A-N-C-E
I'll show 'em what I mean

- Hey.
- Hey.

Oh... Uh...

Yeah.

Uh, I was just gonna grab
some breakfast before auditions.

Same here. Twinsies.

- Um, I just wanted...
- Should I just...

No, you first.

Can we just start over?

Yes. Definitely.

Twinsies.

No, Ricky,
that's what I was trying to say.

Can the two of us start over?

Duh. Right.

Twinsies.

You were saying?

Okay, we're in a new place,
and we're different people now.

We can start fresh.
No drama, no chocolates.

- Summer's supposed to be fun, right?
- Yes. I totally agree. Summer of fun.

Wow, back in LA,
where it all began.

We are definitely not old enough to be
going to our -year college reunion.

- I still feel like I'm .
- Which makes no sense.

Because -year-olds
couldn't possibly have a daughter

who's also about to turn .

Never do the math.

Hey, baby.
Do you remember our friend, Marvin?

Sure. I loved that guy,
when I was, like, four.

- Why?
- Do you remember when you were young

and you once asked about
the donor we used for you

and I told you that
it was a stranger, but...

It was Marvin.

Oh.

Now, this can be as big or as small
of a deal as you want it to be.

Totally.

I just thought maybe he could come over,
hang out here at the rental with us,

- have some dinner before the reunion...
- Just like a chill hang.

If you want, though. If you want.

Sure. I mean, it's not like
I haven't already met him.

We just want you
to meet Marvin again as an adult.

- Or an almost adult.
- Yeah.

- Maybe you guys will bond. You never know.
- All right. Okay.

Okay, yes.
Okay, thanks, honey.

Okay, I will say,
for a barn, wow.

Everyone should start warming up.

Man, am I psyched for auditions.

Maybe we'll get to play
the male leads together again, huh?

Those guys. There's two of them.
They're friends? Enemies? Lovers?

There she is.

That's Val. Eight-time Shallow Lake camper
and current Shallow Lake CIT.

- Yeah, she and EJ go way back.
- Yeah, they seem close.

Oh, yeah. They were Gretl and Kurt
together in The Sound of Music

way back in the day.

That kind of bond is forever.

Hey, everyone. I'm Val,
and not too long ago, I was just like you,

waiting in the wings
for my chance at stardom.

Then I went to college
and my dreams of Broadway

were instantly dashed
by my Intro-To-Movement professor,

who said I wasn't convincing
as a human being.

Wow.

But now I'm a psych major.
And I'm also your choreographer.

The director will kick off
the auditions in just a moment.

Corbin Bleu. Whoo!

What's up?

Ow!

EJ, come on. You need to tell everyone
you're directing the show.

Ashlyn won't stop talking
about how she's gonna be

singing while gazing into
Corbin Bleu's beautiful brown eyes.

I will tell everyone. In a second.
I just need a second. So, in two seconds.

Hey, Maddox. I wanted to offer my services
in hair-and-makeup.

Obvi, I'll be auditioning too.
But back at East...

I've got it covered.

Oh, you don't want any help? I mean,
teamwork makes the dream work, right?

I've always done it myself.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?

We can go back and forth
with phrases like this all day.

So, the thing about me is that people
sometimes call me an "acquired taste."

Which is a fancy way of saying
I'm not for everyone.

Which I pretend I'm fine with.
Like, it makes me cool or something.

But it actually kinda hurts my feelings.

There was this whole group of crew kids

that I used to hang out with
at Shallow Lake.

One in particular.

But they've moved on, and it's just been

so long since I've
had to make new friends, I just...

I don't quite know
what I'm doing this summer.

Do you wanna build a snow...

Don't mind me. I'm just grabbing a prop.

You like it? Sort of s mom-in-a-mall.

Hey. Didn't know
how cold it was gonna get.

It's California, man.

- He speaks. Do you sing?
- Not anymore.

Hi, Gina.

Play it cool. Sorry.
I'm Alex, this is Emmy.

We're eighth graders,
almost freshmen, and we are huge fans.

- We basically memorized all your TikToks.
- Yeah. You played it very cool.

- Are you both auditioning?
- Yes. Well, maybe.

We've never
auditioned for anything before.

Well, definitely be prepared. Practice.
And you have to be confident.

If you don't feel confident,
just fake confidence.

Fake confidence.
Love that for us. Keep going.

And you have to keep
your eye on the prize.

From this moment on, you two aren't
even friends. You're the competition.

What'd I tell you? Gina . .

I think I got it. So, Corbin Bleu is only
directing the TV show about the show.

- Correct.
- Now you have to direct the actual show?

- The only ones who know are you and Gina.
- What happened to Nini?

Shy girl from last summer,
weird British accent when she's nervous.

Yeah, it's been a long year, Val.

Look. I'll help you.

Like, for instance,
maybe I should cast the show. Alone.

Wait. No, that's the one thing
I was excited about.

Bias is a thing. Your subjectivity
could affect the results.

If you're such a pro,
maybe you wanna direct the show too?

Nice try.

Act like you know what you're doing.

Yo. We are ready.

It is time to introduce you
to your director,

Rocket Man himself, EJ Caswell.

Act like you know what you're doing.

- Act.
- No Corbin Bleu?

Oh, yeah. He's directing a show
about the show. It's confusing.

Circle up.

Do you wanna build a snowman?
It doesn't have to be a snowman

We used to be best buddies

- Frozen time! Let's go.
- Now that's tradition.

Where's Mr. Bleu?

What are you doing in here?

You can't be in your bunk
during elective periods. It's dangerous.

We could be dusting.

Hmm. Looks like you
haven't signed up for any electives.

Looks like swimming
still has one spot open.

Actually, I'm allergic to chlorine.

Well, then it's a summer
of exposure therapy for you.

Unless you plan
on trying out for the musical.

- Are those literally my only two options?
- Yes. Literally.

Look, I didn't come here
to sing in a barn.

Well, Jet, then why did you
come here? Hmm?

And while you're thinking about that,
don't make me take away your screen.

Yeah, we're gonna need
another bunk check in .

Okay, everyone.
Let's take some grounding breaths.

And we're off!

For those of you who I technically know,
today, you're not Wildcats.

Today, you're a bunch of blank canvases,
strangers to me.

- Today, we've never met.
- Maybe don't talk.

The window is open
so's that door

I didn't know they did that anymore

And there's two nice ladies
helping me get dressed

Thank you Thanks

For years
I've roamed these empty halls

Why have a ballroom with no balls?

Coronation Day is just the best!

There'll be actual real live people
It'll be totally strange

But wow
Am I so ready for this change

For the first time in forever

There'll be music, there'll be light

For the first time in forever

I'll be dancing through the night

Don't know if I'm elated or gassy
But I'm somewhere in that zone

'Cause for the first time in forever

I won't be alone

Do you wanna build a snowman?

Come on Let's go and play

I never see you anymore
Come out the door

It's like you've gone away

We used to be best buddies
And now we're not

I wish you would tell me why

- Do you wanna build a snowman?
- It doesn't have to be a snowman

Go away, Anna.

Okay Bye

Conceal, don't feel

Put on a show

Make one wrong move and everyone will know

But it's only for today

It's only for today

Tell the guard to open up the gate

The gate

Do you wanna build a...
Do you wanna build a...

Do you wanna build a snowman?

'Cause for the first time in forever

Nothing's in my way

Do you wanna build a snowman?

- This is not cool.
- Oh, come on.

No, not fair. Not cool.

Can I just say how happy I am that
this is finally out in the open?

I am so happy
this is finally out in the open.

So, Nini, what do you think of California?

Have you seen any celebrities or...

Um, you know what? I thought I saw
an influencer, but it was just a barista.

Bummer.

So, one and the same.

I should go get those burgers started.

- I'll come with you.
- Great.

- Let me help you.
- No. You stay.

So, I know what you're thinking.
I'm thinking it too.

It's crazy how much we look alike.

I'm kidding. I'm kidding.

So, do you play any sports or...

Uh, not unless you count Little League
in second grade, which I was terrible at.

Oh, I was thinking it might be genetic.
I played baseball in college, and...

It's actually not a joke.
They say I was pretty good.

Oh.

What else? Oh, um...

Let's say our favorite color
at the same time. Three, two, one.

- Green?
- Black.

Well, see? I mean, that's not so far off.

If you consider that
both colors are visible.

Did you read a book called

What To Expect When
You're Expecting Your Donor Kid?

Well...

Actually, it was an article.
But that was basically the title.

What To Ask Your Biological Child
When Meeting Them For The First Time.

- It's the click-through for a slideshow.
- I should ask you some questions, right?

I'd be delighted to answer
any of your questions.

- Ask me anything.
- Thought you might say that.

Uh, would you rather have breakfast
for dinner, or dinner for breakfast?

Uh, breakfast for dinner.
Pancakes at night? Let's go.

- Any hobbies?
- Hobbies? I bake.

While blasting Liz Phair.

The number of flambes
that woman has collapsed.

But no one wails
like Tori Amos, right? But...

I'm sure you've heard all this before.
About our influences.

Uh...

- What do you mean, our influences?
- Um, don't tell me you never told her.

- Never told me what?
- It was another lifetime ago.

Your moms and I were kind of a big deal...

- No.
- In the early aughts LA music scene.

- No, come on. We were.
- That's so rich.

We had one song
that got a little bit of airplay.

What? What was the song?
And what was the band named?

How come you guys
are just telling me this now?

- Say it. Go ahead. You Never Know.
- You Never Know was the song.

- Oh, my God.
- University Clowns was the band.

- Oh, my God.
- It was another lifetime ago.

- Where are the scripts?
- Scripts?

For the scene work auditions?

We're doing a show with no script?
What is this? Curb Your Enthusiasm?

Yo, Mr. Director-man.
Where do you want us all to stand?

Can everyone just wait one second? Please?

What if they all just
acted out the lyrics from the songs?

You know, like a dramatic reading.

- I don't know. I'm just a stage manager.
- No, that's a great idea.

Thank you.

"Don't let them in, don't let them see.
Be the good girl you always have to be.

"Conceal, don't feel."

"Put on a show."

Sorry. Auditions started over an hour ago.

It's okay. Everyone's welcome to try out.

- I'm not so sure about this.
- Nobody's judging you.

Come on.

For the first time in forever

I'm getting what I'm dreaming of

A chance to leave my lonely world

A chance to find true love

For the first time in forever

We're no longer shut outside

For the first time in forever

The gates are open wide

Oh, I know it all ends tomorrow

So it has to be today

'Cause for the first time in forever

For the first time in forever

Nothing's in my way

- Dude, are you kidding me?
- That was so good.

That was insane.

I have chills.

Arriving late to auditions with a bang.
Blowing everyone away.

Pretending he's not a theater kid.
He's like a little Ricky.

Can I help you?

Oh, uh, I was just wondering if you
needed help with posting the cast list.

With posting the cast list?

Finding tape, pinning it
on the perfect public wall,

general fanfare and intrigue, et cetera.

Right. I actually was gonna sleep on it
before making any final decisions.

Oh. That's fine. Sure.

We can all just go to bed
not knowing the fate of the nation.

- It's just a musical, Carlos.
- The revolution will be televised, Val.

You k*lled it today.

I know it's not up to me,
but you're gonna be Anna.

Thanks.
Today was an interesting audition day.

I mean... It was a bit
of a blimey mess, mate.

Okay. Yeah. Val told me to act
like I knew what I was doing,

and clearly no accent can hide the fact

that I'm totally and completely
drowning up here.

Oh, my gosh. You are not drowning.
Just maybe no more acting.

- Just be yourself.
- Duh. I don't think anyone wants that.

Miss Jenns aren't built in a day.
You'll be great, and you have help, right?

- You have Val.
- Yeah, Val's the best.

Seriously, EJ, if you're too stressed
about directing this summer,

I don't wanna give you
something else to be worried about,

so maybe you and I should
just play it cool...

- Hey.
- What?

You and me, it's the only thing
I'm not worried about.

But maybe it wouldn't be the worst idea
if we kept

a professional distance at rehearsals.

Yeah. Several feet apart. No hand holding.

- Definitely no meaningful eye contact.
- You mean, like this?

Yes.

- Are we going to the pool?
- Wanna take a swim?

- Yeah.
- Why not?

- b*at you there.
- No, you won't.

I just cannot believe University Clowns
almost played the first ever Coachella.

- Like, I'm losing it.
- Almost.

But I can't believe you,
working with Jamie Porter.

That kid's the real deal. I mean,
you must be pretty impressive.

Look, whatever happens,
I hope you don't stop writing songs.

Yeah.

Oh!

Okay. I'm sorry I have to break up
this reunion.

I have to go to this
other reunion with your moms.

- Of course.
- Just gonna grab my wallet from the car.

Oh, my car is black, by the way.
Your favorite color.

- Oh.
- Not green.

So I don't know.
Maybe we really are related.

All right.

I, uh...

I remember what
it was like to be your age.

Everything seems unpredictable.

But I promise you, Nini,
the best is yet to come.

I'm really glad we got to meet again.
I was afraid it might throw you off.

I'm not thrown.

All right.

A chapter begins
The pages turn in the wind

The story's so unpredictable
But the best is yet to come

Whoa

I open my eyes and I can see the horizon
And the thrill's indescribable

In the California sun, it shows

You never know
which way the ride could take you

Or how a breeze can make you
start down a brand-new road

You never know

What place you're gonna end up
Even better than you dreamt of

Right where you're meant to go
You never know

Know

You never know Know

The summer is mine
I'm gonna give it a try

Another season of life for me

And I don't know what happens next
No

But I'll embrace the mystery
See the forest for the trees

'Cause branching out
there's no telling how much I can grow

You never know
which way the ride could take you

Or how a breeze can make you
start down a brand-new road

You never know
what place you're gonna end up

Even better than you dreamt of
Right where you're meant to go

You never know Know

You never know
So this is for me

There's something waiting for me
So this is for me

You never know
what place you're gonna end up

Even better than you dreamt of
Right where you're meant to go

You never know Know

You never know Know

You never know
So this is for me

There's something waiting for me
So this is for me

You never know

Hey, did Maddox ever
come back after dinner?

She probably has some super-top-secret

important camp tradition
business to attend to.

Is it bad to say she's kind of a lot?

And that's coming from me,
someone who is also a lot.

Come on, you guys. Maddox is great.

She just wants all of us to bond
and be friends

and go along with her cool rituals.

Mmm-hmm

Guys, she's harmless.

Cast list.

No, no, no.

Not on my watch.