Following in the footsteps of Disney forebears

The next set of fresh-scrubbed teen stars is rolling off Hollywood soundstages and onto tour buses. Tonight's "NextFest" concert -- featuring Bianca Ryan, Drake Bell, Corbin Bleu, and Aly & AJ -- comes to the Bank of America Pavilion, followed by Hilary Duff's show there on Thursday.

This current crop of youngsters conjures memories of earlier generations who came to fame under the imprimatur of Walt Disney. (OK, so Bell and Ryan are not products of the Mouse House finishing school -- he stars on Nickelodeon's "Drake and Josh," and she won NBC's "America's Got Talent" competition last summer. But they fit the family-friendly Disney mold.)

If these newcomers want to fill the shoes of their predecessors, we offer a few tips for their to-do lists . . .

BIANCA RYAN: Child singer

Christina Aguilera: Former child singer on "The New Adventures of the Mickey Mouse Club"

Last summer the turbo-lunged 12-year-old wowed the nation with her scarily precise performances of mature songs like "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" on "America's Got Talent." That reminded us that she could became another pint-size diva, Aguilera, if she . . .

1. Appears on a nationally televised talent show and proves you can really sing? Check. (Unlike the former Mouseketeer, however, Ryan actually won.)

2. By age 18, morphs into a tarted-up sex kitten who can really sing. (Xtina got "Dirrty" on her second album, "Stripped.")

3. Gets married and announces next record will be inspired by the vintage sounds of Destiny's Child and Kelly Clarkson. (Aguilera wed before the release of her old-school, soul-in spired "Back to Basics.")

DRAKE BELL: Singer, actor, hottie

Justin Timberlake: Singer, actor, hottie

Like Timberlake, who was given the blessing of Al Green, Bell received early encouragement from a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer: Roger Daltrey. Now Bell just needs to . . .

1. Impress skeptics by co-writing the songs on his solo debut? Check. (Timberlake drew critical praise for his post-N'Sync debut, "Justified.")

2. Appear in several indie films that, while not hits, draw praise from critics and show potential. (See Timberlake in "Alpha Dog" and "Black Snake Moan.")

3. Team up with a producer du jour, bring sexy back, and let world domination follow. (See "FutureSex/LoveSounds," brought to you by Timberlake and Timbaland.)

CORBIN BLEU: Actor, singer, dancer, star of "High School Musical" and "Jump In"

Kurt Russell: Actor, singer, star of "Elvis"

Before fighting fires in "Backdraft" and escaping from New York as grizzled Snake Plissken, Russell was a cherubic star of Disney kiddie movies. With his charm, good looks, and athletic ability, Bleu -- who costarred with Russell in 1998's "Soldier" -- could transition from tango-ing in the halls of East High to "Tango and Cash," assuming . . .

1. Stars in popular Disney-related films? Check. (Russell appeared in many '70s-era classics, including "The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes.")

2. Hooks up, but doesn't marry, hot blond actress and makes a pair of commercially irrelevant guilty pleasures (Um, Goldie Hawn, "Swing Shift.")

3. Returns to spotlight as macho action hero. (Russell starred in "Miracle" and "Grindhouse.")

ALY & AJ: Recording artists and actresses with Disney credits including "Phil of the Future"

Hayley Mills: Hit the big time as twin sisters in the original ("The Parent Trap")

Now that Lindsay Lohan has dropped the Pollyanna image literally invented by Mills, it's up to these cute acting-singing sisters to carry the torch for wholesomeness, as long as they . . .

1. Star in a saccharine teen flick? Check ("Super Sweet 16: The Movie"). (Mills, of course, starred in the saccharine teen flick "That Darn Cat!")

2. Stake claim to maturity by landing legit roles in theater. (Mills starred as Anna in "The King and I")

3. Wind up playing second fiddle to a bunch of bratty yet beautiful teens in syndicated sitcom. (Mills bossed around the "Saved By the Bell" gang in "Good Morning, Miss Bliss.")

HILARY DUFF: Actress, singer, perfume peddler

Annette Funicello: Actress, singer, peanut butter peddler

Like Funicello, Duff stands out from the girls-gone-wild Hollywood pack by virtue of her virtuous image. Now it's time to . . .

1. Create a long-lasting, sweet-natured, Disney-identified persona? Check ("Lizzie McGuire"). (Funicello was, of course, Mickey's favorite Mouseketeer).

2. Make a series of beloved beach movies with attractive male costar. (Like Funicello in "Bikini Beach" and "Beach Blanket Bingo.")

3. Sustain a lengthy career in music, film, and television topped with global ad campaign for peanut butter.

SARAH RODMAN AND JOAN ANDERMAN