The High School Musical phenomenon began with the original movie that premiered on the Disney Channel in January 2006 and was directed by Kenny Ortega and written by Peter Barsocchini.
The story featured Troy Bolton (starring Zac Efron) as captain of the basketball team and Gabriella Montez (starring Vanessa Hudgens) as a math and science academic. The pair auditioned for the East High School musical extravaganza, despite peer pressure from their friends. The remaining cast of the movie includes competing performers for the musical leads, Sharpay Evans (starring Ashley Tisdale) and her twin brother Ryan Evans (starring Lucas Grabeel) and friends and Wildcats team member Chad Danforth (starring Corbin Bleu), science club leader Taylor McKessie (starring Monique Coleman) and playmaker Kelsi Nielsen (starring Olesya Rulin).
High School Musical 2, the sequel movie, also aired on the Disney Channel in August 2007 and featured the original cast returning from the first movie. Due to the incredible success and popularity of the franchise, Disney has scheduled the third film, High School Musical 3: Senior Year, which is set to be released to theatres on October 24, 2008.
The appealing sound and catchy lyrics from the music throughout the series of films have also made the High School Musical soundtracks a chart topping success. Popular songs from the movies include tracks, ‘Bop to the Top’, ‘Breaking Free’, ‘We’re All in this Together’, ‘Fabulous’, ‘You are the Music in Me’, ‘Everyday’ and ‘All for One’. The High School Musical franchise has also featured on a concert tour, on a stage musical and on an ice tour.