Cast members reflect on the films and the future
LOS ANGELES -- They're all in this together, including interviews. The Globe recently spoke with the cast of the Disney Channel's "High School Musical 2" about the phenomenon, the sequel, and their plans for the future.
SARAH RODMAN
Q Did you feel the pressure from the success of the first film going into this one?
Zac Efron (Troy Bolton) Knowing the group of people we were going to be working with and knowing the support that we had, we just knew it would be fun -- as close as you can get to being a part of a production in high school.
Q What is it about the first film that touched so many people, young and old?
Corbin Bleu (Chad Danforth) It taught them to break away and be who they want to be. I've had two experiences where kids have come up to me telling me that they have turned away from committing suicide after watching "High School Musical." At first, you're thinking "Oh my God, how could something like this make such an impact?" But you sit back and you realize that there's a trueness and a wholesomeness and a realness about this movie that kids connect with and it really shows.
Lucas Grabeel (Ryan Evans) I think it's pop culture. It's just one of those things. We have the same formula that everything that is successful has! You tell people what they want, and then you give that to them.
Q What are your ambitions beyond the Disney Channel and its record label?
Ashley Tisdale (Sharpay Evans) My album's with Warner Brothers Records; I decided to go a different way. I've been with Disney a long time. [Tisdale stars on the network's "The Suite Life of Zach and Cody."] But I definitely wanted to be somewhere where I could express myself on my album and have a lot of creative control over that. My next movie is with MGM. I love Disney, they've been so amazing toward me and have put me where I am today, but I'm definitely going to go and do other projects as much as I can.
Q When you're 60, do you think you'll remember these songs and dance moves?
Vanessa Hudgens (Gabriella Montez) They will be with me until the day I die, whether I like it or not. 