High School Musical is a 2006 Disney Channel Original Movie, with a stage adaptation being developed as early as 2007. The show is much beloved and the movie is a classic musical film. However, with the transition to stage, new songs were included which were missing from the original movie, alongside lots of arrangement changes to other songs. As the new High School Musical stage version premieres later this year, it is the perfect time to highlight these lesser-known tracks.
Though the original movie has plenty of brilliant songs, alongside the classics of High School Musical 2 and High School Musical 3, the stage show required additional songs to add more agency to certain characters. Similarly, some of these songs were added to help establish stronger relationships and tell the story more effectively, as the stage show can not rely on cuts. This is also why some songs, such as ‘We’re All in This Together’ have a different arrangement which allows for more of the cast to be involved. In addition, songs such as ‘Get’cha Head in the Game’ and ‘Start of Something New’ have reprises: to help move the story effectively along.
Counting on You
As the Jocks and the Brainiacs attempt to split Troy and Gabriella up for their own personal gain, they sing this song as additional manipulation. Both Chad and Taylor reinforce that they are ‘counting on’ Troy and Gabriella, leading to Troy’s confession of not liking Gabriella. The song gives some additional agency to Chad and Taylor, adding a musical theme to this scene which was missing in the original.
Cellular Fusion
After the initial auditions, Troy and Gabriella are invited for a call back (second audition). Their friends and other students in the school discuss this through phone calls, spreading the news throughout the school. This song works effectively to continue the pace of the show, allowing for the characters to establish the ‘status quo’ before the song arrives: making for a satisfying ending of Act 1.
I Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You
The most interesting of the new additions, ‘I Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You’ is a cut song from the original movie which has been reintroduced in the stage production. Being the opening of Act 2, the song allows us to explore Troy and Gabriella’s relationship more thoroughly, showing clearly how in love the two are. This allows for stronger emotional weight to their inevitable break up. On the original movie album, it is a fantastic song and a great relationship moment for Troy and Gabriella.
The overall discussion comes down to whether these songs are necessary for High School Musical, making this new production intriguing to people who have potentially never seen these songs live. Regardless of ‘I Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You’ being cut, which song deserved to be in the original movie more? Let me know your opinion.
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