About High School Musical

The Disney Channel Original Movie, High School Musical, debuted on January 20, 2006 and quickly became one of The Disney Channel's most successful movies. Millions of fans propelled the movie's soundtrack to become the best selling album of 2006.

High School Musical "fever" has spawned a sequel, High School Musical 2, which makes its debut on The Disney Channel on August 17, 2007. A third film has already been slated to complete the trilogy.

High School Musical follows students in different cliques at East High. Troy Bolton, star player on the East High Wildcats basketball team, meets the shy and intelligent Gabriella Montez on a New Year's ski trip. After they are forced into a karaoke duet, Troy discovers his love for singing. When Gabriella shows up as the newest student at East High, she meets Troy for the second time, and they set out to pursue their interest in singing... and each other.

Life isn't that simple for Troy and Gabriella, however, as they each face pressures from their peers. Troy finds his basketball teammates and his father, who is also the head coach, unsupportive of his interest in singing. Gabriella meets with resistance, as well, from her intellectual friends. Throw in Sharpay Evans, who wants to thwart Troy and Gabriella's growing relationship, as well as their chances in the winter musical, and you have a fantastically engaging story for all ages.

Cast of High School Musical and High School Musical 2:

Zac Efron as Troy Bolton

Zac Efron plays Troy Bolton, the captain and star player of the East High Wildcats basketball team. While he's on a New Year's ski trip, he's forced to sing a karaoke duet with Gabriella Montez, and he discovers his love of singing. It's not that easy, though, as he faces pressure from teammates and from his father, the head coach of the basketball team, to stop pursuing his love for song.

Birthday: October 18, 1987

Vanessa Anne Hudgens as Gabriella Montez

Vanessa Anne Hudgens plays Gabriella Montez, the shy and intelligent new student at East High. After meeting and being forced into a karaoke duet with Troy Bolton during a New Year's ski trip, she meets him again when she transfers to East High. Though Gabriella is extremely intelligent, she's hesitant to tell people about her scholastic achievements for fear of their reaction.

Birthday: December 14, 1988

Ashley Tisdale as Sharpay Evans

Ashley Tisdale plays Sharpay Evans, the resident "mean girl" at East High. Sharpay is arrogant and controlling, which shows in her relationship with her twin brother, Ryan, who bows to her every command. Her bad feelings toward Gabriella and Troy come to the front when she loses the lead female role in East High's winter musical to Gabriella.

Birthday: July 2, 1985

Lucas Grabeel as Ryan Evans

Lucas Grabeel plays Ryan Evans, Sharpay's fraternal twin brother and acting partner. He's the more pleasant of the twins, and he has a snazzy fashion sense, too. He's not too intelligent, which undoubtedly makes him more apt to be manipulated and controlled by his arrogant twin sister. Ryan also has a secret crush on Gabriella.

Birthday: November 23, 1984

Corbin Bleu as Chad Danforth

Corbin Bleu plays Chad Danforth, member of the East High Wildcats basketball team and Troy's best friend. Chad is devoted to basketball and is not supportive when he finds out that Troy wants to pursue singing. Chad eventually realizes how important singing is to his best friend and, being the good friend that he is, becomes supportive of the endeavor.

Birthday: February 21, 1989

Monique Coleman as Taylor McKessie

Monique Coleman plays Taylor McKessie, the very intelligent leader of the East High Science Club. Taylor befriends Gabriella and convinces her to join the Scholastic Club, but she doesn't support Gabriella's singing endeavor. In the beginning, Taylor has a low opinion of athletes, though her opinion evolves. She also comes around and becomes supportive of Gabriella.

Birthday: November 13, 1980