This time, however, theyre under the guidance of Broadway directors, choreographers, and voice coaches.
Bell is also set to appear in the special, which is being billed as a one-time event.
They had this idea that reuniting high school musical theater casts would be something fun to watch.
Credit: Paula Lobo/Getty Imges
I immediately wanted to come on board, help them develop the idea.
Should there be a prize?
Or is this show a little bit more sincere and more about high school?
Its about reuniting people that may or may not have had old flames with each other.
That may or may not need to make amends with one another.
That may or may not need to stand up for themselves once and for all.
To really interact with one another in their present-day circumstances.
Its inherently interesting because the cast that we chose has not really pursued theater.
Its not about fame, its not about fortune, its not about wanting to get their big break.
Its about wanting to relive the passion and creativity and community they felt on that high school theater stage.
Two used to date.
One is finally honest about who he is to the rest of the group.
Its nothing negative or catty; its about reliving that nostalgia.
And Ive gotta say, its very exciting to watch.
Sondheim is difficult to learn in seven months, so to give them seven days was almost impossible.
But we had a variety of Broadway coaches, choreographers, directors that are helping them throughout the process.
It was a typical high school dynamic.
It was the perfect way to converge paths, experiences, and dreams onstage with present circumstances.
Because the ideal situation is that none of them would have actually wanted to pursue this as a career.
Its not about fame and fortune.
Its about getting to go back to high school just for one night.
Youve spoken about how special your own high school musical experiences were for you.
How did they influence you?Its when I defined passion for myself, I think.
When youre an adolescent, you are trudging through life, and youre like, What is Earth?
How do I make sense of all this?
Its a lot, trying to grow up.
When I was onstage, I was free of all that.
I was just a creative spirit.
Even in all of the small parts I played, its not about the big parts.
My first show I was a banana in a tree.
I didnt even have any lines, but I loved it.
True confidence is almost impossible to find in high school.
You dont find it until your mid-20s at least I didnt.
This is something that brings everyone together in a way we need right now.
We are currently in a world that is very divided.
Everyone can look back at high school and be interested in spending one more day there.
I would like to see this as a full series.
I would like to see the comedy that comes out of shows that were edited for high school.
That all the characters had diabetes thats hilarious!
Thats interesting to watch.
Its a self-esteem-building exercise for all of us.
Encore!premieres Sunday, Dec. 10, at 10 p.m. EST on ABC.
