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High School Musical 2 is the second film in the High School Musical film franchise. The world premiere took place on August 17, 2007 at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. The primary cast, including Ashley Tisdale, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens attended the event. The film debuted on TV on August 17, 2007 on Disney Channel in the U.S., and on Family Channel in Canada. The premiere brought in a total of 17.30 million viewers in the United States—almost 10 million more than its predecessor—making it the highest-rated Disney Channel Movie to date.

In this first sequel to Disney's High School Musical, student Troy Bolton stresses over getting a job, with the price of college looming on his mind, as well as trying to make sure he and Gabriella Montez are able to stay together all summer. But hiring him at the country club is part of a scheme set up by a very Troy Bolton-hungry Sharpay Evans who wants Troy for herself.

Plot

What Time is it?

The movie opens up with the Wildcats in Ms. Darbus's homeroom on the eve of summer vacation. Everyone is anxious for the final school bell, except Ms. Darbus who is still teaching. Jason decides to ask Ms. Darbus about her favorite summer memory, much to the disgust of the rest of the class. Halfway through her speech, the final bell rings and the school goes chaotic ("What Time Is It?").

After celebrating, the cast talks about how they need summer jobs. Troy then talks to Gabriella and tells her that as long as they spend the summer it should be fine. He then gives her a necklace with a "T" on it as his promise to her. Sharpay, after witnessing this exchange from Troy and Gabriella, asks Ryan who is East High's primo boy and girl. Ryan answers Troy and Sharpay. Sharpay then formulates a plan to steal Troy from Gabriella.

The wildcats and Troy are at Troy's house enjoying a game when Troy's cellphone rings. He has been offered a job at the Lava Springs Country Club. He accepts and manages to get Gabriella, Chad, Taylor and fellow Wildcats jobs as well. Kelsi was already asked to work because the rehearsal pianist quit.

Meanwhile, Sharpay and Ryan are just pulling up to Lava Springs where Sharpay is going to relax and have some "fabulous fun" ("Fabulous").

Sharpay notices Troy and waves at him but Troy is too busy saying hi to Gabriella to notice. Sharpay sees Gabriella and is unhappy to see her. She accidentally falls in to the pool and Gabriella dives in to save her. When Sharpay asks why she is here, Gabriella states that she's the new lifeguard. Sharpay talks to Mr. Fulton who tells her that her mom allowed all the Wildcats to work at Lava Springs. When her mom will not reconsider, Sharpay tells Mr. Fulton to make them want to quit. When Troy and all the other Wildcats realize this won't be fun, Troy tells them everything will be fine ("Work This Out").

Troy invites Gabriella to have lunch with him on the golf course, even though it's off limits. Troy and Gabriella talk about how the college and the future is coming quickly. Troy expresses his worry about a college scholarship.

Meanwhile, Sharpay is spying on them through binoculars and sees that Troy and Gabriella are on the golf course and tells Fulton to water the green that Troy and Gabriella is on. They're just about to kiss when the sprinklers come on. Fulton notices them and gives them a warning that if this happens twice more they'll be fired.

After this, Sharpay tells Ryan to keep a close eye on them.

The next day at work, Troy and Gabriella overhear Kelsi singing and playing the piano. She tells them that the employees can enter in the talent show. Troy is hesitant but Gabriella starts singing and soon he joins in and agrees to sign up for the talent show ("You Are the Music in Me").

Ryan overhears how great Gabriella and Troy sounds and tells Sharpay about it. Sharpay decides that Troy would be perfect for the talent show, but without Gabriella.

At work, Chad and Troy are asked to be caddies for two guests who turn out to be Sharpay's parents. Sharpay tells her dad how great Troy is in golf and basketball and that he would be perfect for the University of Albuquerque (UOA). Sharpay's dad tells Sharpay he would look into it. During the golf game, Troy impresses Sharpay's dad with his golf expertise. Troy is then invited to join Sharpay and family to a dinner with all of the UOA board members to discuss a probability of a scholarship. During the dinner, Sharpay mentions that Troy can sing. Since he makes an excuse that he cannot sing at the moment he is forced to promise to sing with Sharpay later.

When Mr. Fulton comes to show Troy something, he takes him to the auditorium. There, Sharpay, Ryan and the Sharpettes (Sharpay's backup girls) sing him a Hawaii-style song ("Humuhumunukanuka'apua'a").

Sharpay says that's the song they're going to sing for the talent show. Troy, however, rejects the offer. To distract her, he compliments her shoes and while she brags about them, he runs off, leaving an angry Sharpay.

Since he was at the dinner, he's late for a date with Gabriella. Gabriella's understanding, but Taylor tells her to be careful and that just because Troy's a good guy he's still a boy. Troy and Gabriella decide to go for a late night swim, but end up getting caught again. Mr. Fulton warns them that one more strike and they both will be fired.

Troy tells Gabriella the next day at work that he is sorry and will make it up to her at lunch. When he is talking to Gabriella, Sharpay interrupts him and tells him to see Mr. Fulton now. Mr. Fulton tells Troy that he has been promoted and will now assist with teaching golf to children. Troy gets his own locker, new clothes, Italian shoes, and a complimentary set of clubs. Sharpay has also signed up for the class to spend time with Troy. She acts like she cannot golf, but when Troy leaves to see Mr. Evans she hits the golf ball like a pro. Taylor sees this and tells Gabriella about this.

When Troy goes to see Mr. Evans he is invited to play a 2-on-2 basketball game with the UOA Redhawks.

This causes him to miss the baseball game he promised to play in. Ryan tags along instead. At the game, the Wildcats say that they give up on being in the talent show since Troy baled on them. Gabriella says that Ryan should help them put together a routine. Chad says he's not doing it because he can't dance. Ryan is hurt and tells him that dance has some game ("I Don't Dance").

After the game Ryan and Chad find common ground when Chad realizes that Ryan can play baseball.

Sharpay is practicing with Troy to a much upbeat version of "You Are the Music In Me" ("You are the Music in Me (Sharpay Version)").

During the whole rehearsal, Troy isn't used to all the fireworks and effects Sharpay has during her number. When the song is finally finished Troy says he needs some air and takes five.

During the break, Troy sees the Wildcats having fun dancing to a song. Sharpay hears it too and goes to spy on them.

When the practice is over and everyone leaves, Sharpay asks Ryan what he's doing. Ryan tells her that since she is doing the show with Troy instead of him that he decided to help the Wildcats. Sharpay tells him that she will win and not them.

Sharpay tells Mr. Fulton that all junior employees need to work during the talent show.

The next day at work, Mr. Fulton gives Taylor the job of handing out fliers that state that junior employees must work during the talent show. All the Wildcats are upset, but not as much as Gabriella. Kelsi suspects Sharpay. Gabriella storms out of the room to have a word with Sharpay.

When she finds Sharpay and tells her that the Wildcats and her brother have worked really hard on this routine. Sharpay doesn't budge and claims that she's helping Troy. She also tells Gabriella that she's just mad because she won. Gabriella says she doesn't want to play this game, so she quits. Sharpay walks off with the Sharpettes.

Troy, who overheard, the whole thing confronts Gabriella and asks her if she really meant what she said. Gabriella says that people change. Troy explains that he was only acting this way because of the scholarship. Gabriella can't take this so she breaks up with him and quits leaving Troy brokenhearted ("Gotta Go My Own Way").

Gabriella gives Troy the necklace back and leaves.

Troy is in his room and is upset. He has a talk with Jack Bolton and admits he doesn't know who he is anymore. His dad tells him that he will always have the right answer from within.

The next day, he finds out that Sharpay made all the Wildcats work instead of be in the talent show and decides he is going to take control of his life, not Sharpay or the scholarship ("Bet On It").

He then confronts Sharpay and tells her that he isn't singing with her in the talent show because of how she treated his friends and he asked for his old job back and has to work, causing Sharpay to burst into tears.

When he walks back in the kitchen to work, he and Chad reconcile. Ryan talks to Sharpay and tells her that he is not going to sing with her either. Sharpay bursts into tears and falls apart. Ryan then goes in the kitchen and tells Troy that he should sing with his sister because he doesn't really want to see her crash and burn. Troy tells Sharpay that he'll sing with her only if the Wildcats can sing in the talent show. Sharpay agrees reluctantly.

Troy goes back in the kitchen and tells the Wildcats that the show is back on. Ryan tells Troy that his sister wanted him to learn a new song. Troy learns the new song and then asks Sharpay why she made him learn it. Sharpay says she didn't learn a new song and Ryan responds, "Exactly". Troy goes out on stage and starts singing. Gabriella chimes in to a much surprised Troy. Troy can't see her but keeps singing. Gabriella shows herself (It is never explained why, but there is a scene never-before seen where Taylor convinces Gabriella to go back to Troy) and they sing an clever duet ("Everyday").

The wildcats join in with the last chorus. Mr. Fulton goes on stage to announce the winner and Sharpay steals the mike and announces that Ryan won.

Later that night, the whole cast goes out on the golf course to enjoy a night under the stars. Troy and Gabriella share a kiss while fireworks and sprinklers go off.

The last day of work has arrived. The pool is closed off for a staff party. The whole cast is happy because now summer can actually begin ("All For One").

HSM2 GAL Cast4

HSM2 Main Cast


Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Cast

  1. Zac Efron as Troy Bolton
  2. Vanessa Hudgens as Gabriella Montez
  3. Lucas Grabeel as Ryan Evans
  4. Ashley Tisdale as Sharpay Evans
  5. Corbin Bleu as Chad Danforth
  6. Monique Coleman as Taylor McKessie
  7. Mark L. Taylor as Mr. Fulton
  8. Bart Johnson as Coach Bolton
  9. Robert Curtis Brown as Mr. Evans
  10. Jessica Tuck as Darby Evans
  11. Alyson Reed as Ms. Darbus
  12. Chris Warren Jr. as Zeke Baylor
  13. Ryne Sanborn as Jason Cross
  14. Olesya Rulin as Kelsi Nielsen
  15. KayCee Stroh as Martha Cox
  16. Tanya Chisholm as Jackie
  17. Miley Cyrus as Girl at Pool
  18. Kelli Baker as Lea
  19. McCall Clark as Emma
  20. Leslie Wing Pomeroy as Mrs. Bolton
  21. Jaymz Tuaileva as Javier
  22. Annette Wright as Mrs. Hoffenfeffer
  23. K. Danor Gerald as Player
  24. Charan Prabhakar as Assistant Pro
  25. Dave Fox as Coach Reynolds
  26. Dave Nibley as Man #2
  27. Charles Hajek as Valet
  28. Manly "Little Pickles" Ortega as Sharpay's Dog Boi

Uncredited

  1. Amanda Garrett as Dancer

Principal Dancers

  1. Charles Klapow
  2. Bayli Baker
  3. Shawn Carter
  4. Mollee Gray
  5. Shane Harper
  6. David Huff
  7. Kimberly Klapow
  8. Roger Malaga
  9. Jared Murillo
  10. Doug Penikas
  11. Tyne Stecklein
  12. Britt Stewart
  13. Andrew Winston
  14. Jaymz Tuaileva

Featured Dancers - East High

  1. Sarah Kathleen Aezer
  2. Christian Denice
  3. Craig DeRosa
  4. Raquel "Rocky" Goodsell
  5. Allison Holker
  6. Thayne Jasperson
  7. Michelle Parker
  8. Safari Natalia Sorenson
  9. Hefa Leone Tuita
  10. Lisa Whittaker

Baseball Dancers

  1. Danny Axley
  2. Italo Elgueta
  3. Nick Lanzisera
  4. Gevorg "Gev" Manoukian
  5. Ryan Novak
  6. Alan Salazar

Synchronised Swimmers

  1. Brittany Hipp
  2. Amanda Godinez
  3. Catherine Smith

Baseball Players

  1. Quinn Linde
  2. Adam Gunn
  3. Derek Bundy
  4. Scott Hoopes
  5. Berkeley Ward
  6. Dakota Larsen

Musical numbers

Song Chiefly Sung By Other Singers Scene
What Time Is It? Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, Ryan, Chad, Taylor Wildcats East High Areas
Fabulous Sharpay Ryan & the Sharpettes Lava Springs Pool
Work This Out Troy, Gabriella, Chad, Taylor, Kelsi, Zeke, Martha, Jason Wildcats & Kitchen Workers Lava Springs Kitchen
You are the Music in Me Troy & Gabriella Kelsi & Wildcats Lava Springs Dining Room
Humuhumunukanuka'apua'a Sharpay & Ryan The Sharpettes Lava Springs Backstage Room
I Don't Dance Chad & Ryan Baseball Players, Wildcats, & Company Lava Springs Baseball Field
You are the Music in Me (Sharpay Version) Troy & Sharpay The Sharpettes Lava Springs Stage
Gotta Go My Own Way Troy & Gabriella None Outside of the Lava Springs Pool and Areas
Bet On It Troy None Lava Springs Golf Course
Everyday Troy & Gabriella Wildcats & Company Lava Springs Stage
All For One Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, Ryan, Chad, Taylor Kelsi, Zeke, Martha, Jason, Wildcats, Company Lava Springs Pool

Versions

Apart from the original version, other versions of "High School Musical 2" have been aired.

  • Sing-Along - August 19, 2007

A karaoke-style version allowed viewers to sing along to all the songs while watching the movie.

  • Dance-Along - September 8, 2007

The cast showed the moves to the 2 songs "All For One" and "What Time Is It?" during commercial breaks of "High School Musical 2".

  • Pop-Up - November 23, 2007

Throughout the movie, trivia about "High School Musical 2" was shown in pop-ups.

  • Around the World - January 18, 2008

During commercial breaks, the cast will be shown at the London premiere of "High School Musical 2". Music videos of "High School Musical 2" songs from around the world will also be aired.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack to the movie was available on August 14, three days before the actual movie. This soundtrack also included a never-before heard of song, "Humuhumunukanuka'apua'a" sung by Sharpay and Ryan.

Promotions

Premiere Weekend

The whole cast hosted the "High School Musical 2" premiere weekend at Kenny Ortega's house.

  • Friday, August 17 was the world television premiere.
     
  • Saturday, August 18 was "Wildcat Chat". The cast answered questions sent in from fans. Also, the Play Your Part poll results were announced. In Play Your Part, fans voted for what they would like to see in the movie.
     
  • Sunday, August 19 the sing-along was aired. Fans could sing along to the movie in karaoke-style subtitles.

The Road to High School Musical 2

Disney Channel started a mini-series called The Road to High School Musical 2. This mini-series included interviews from the cast and trivia about the movie.

Countdown

From August 4, 2007 to August 16, 2007, Disney Channel started a countdown of when "High School Musical 2" would premiere. The commercial started with a dance scene from the song "What Time Is It?" and then a different cast member each day stated how many days were left.

High School Musical 2 Video Open From August 17, 2007

"High School Musical" video open from August 17, 2007

Extended Edition

High School Musical 2: The Extended Edition was released to Disney DVD and Blu-ray on December 11, 2007. It featured a deleted musical number entitled "Humuhumunukanuka'apua'a".

Deluxe Dance Edition

High School Musical 2: 2-Disc Deluxe Dance Edition was released to 2-Disc Disney DVD on September 23, 2008.

Music Videos

  • "What Time Is It?" was the first music video to be released from "High School Musical 2". The song is about how everyone will enjoy their summer vacation.
  • "You Are the Music in Me" was the second music video to be released from "High School Musical 2". This song is about how Troy and Gabriella have a special connection through music.
  • "I Don't Dance" from "High School Musical 2" was the third music video to be released. This song is a rival song between Ryan and Chad. Ryan is trying to prove to Chad that dancing is as easy as baseball and other sports.

Behind the Scenes

  • Miley Cyrus had a cameo appearance in the movie during All For One, because she won a section of the High School Musical 2 poll that was set up prior to filming.
  • This and Senior Year are the only movies in the franchise to have Zac Efron doing all of his own singing, as the songs were already tailored for his baritone range. In the prequel, Drew Seeley acted as the singing voice because the Troy role in that film was written for a tenor before Efron was cast.
  • Kenny Ortega's pet dog, Manly, plays Sharpay's dog Boi in the movie.
  • Lucas Grabeel had to have knee surgery before shooting. He danced with knee and back braces on.
  • Monique Coleman could not swim prior to the film and had to have swimming lessons, because of a scene where her character jumps into a pool. She also requested that Corbin Bleu jump in with her. However, this scene was cut from the actual movie.
  • In What Time Is It? the roller coaster move was inspired by a massage line the cast and crew made.
  • Troy was supposedly supposed to have a sister named Danielle Bolton who was to become Ryan's love interest and she and Ryan were going to sing a more exotic version of Humuhumunukanuka'apua'a.
  • While it took two movies for Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez to kiss, it wasn't that long for the teens playing them, Vanessa Anne Hudgens and Zac Efron, because between finishing the first movie and starting (and finishing) the second one, the hot couple were already dating, as told in a People magazine issue in 2008.
  • In the musical number Humuhumunukanuka'apua'a, after Sharpay stands on a platform, two stage hands are caught on camera removing the platform from the scene. It is unknown whether it was accidental or intentional.
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