Hocus Pocus fans were ecstatic when Disney released a long-awaited sequel to the classic last year, but one key player was missing: original director Kenny Ortega.
Kenny helmed the 1993 classic alongside stars Mette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy. However, Anne Fletcher took over directing duties for the sequel.
He opened up about the project and his thoughts on being replaced in a new interview.
Read more about Kenny Ortega’s “disappointing” Hocus Pocus replacement…More Here! »
Paris Jackson makes a rare appearance with both of her brothers – Prince and Blanket – as they head to the “MJ: The Michael Jackson Musical” opening night event held at Neil Simon Theatre on Tuesday (February 1) in New York City.
The three siblings were joined at the event by many of Michael‘s friends and fans, including Spike Lee, Geoffrey Owens, Joel Grey, Brenda Vaccaro, Tamron Hall, Al Sharpton, and Jordan Roth.
The cast of the musical – Renni Anthony Magee, Oyoyo Joi, Ramone Nelson, Kamille Upshaw, Darius Wright, and Aramie Payton - also hit the red carpet before the show.
MJ: The Musical takes audiences inside Jackson’s creative process, depicting the singer rehearsing for his 1992 Dangerous Tour.
It features over 25 of the singer’s biggest hits and is directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Christopher Wheeldon with a book by the Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage.
Click inside to see 40+ pictures of Paris, Prince and Blanket Jackson at the opening of MJ: The Musical…More Here! »
The debut trailer for Julie and the Phantoms is finally here!
Madison Reyes stars as Julie in the upcoming musical series for Netflix, alongside Owen Joyner, Charlie Gillespie and Jeremy Shada.
Here’s a synopsis: High schooler Julie (Reyes) lost her passion for music after her mom died last year. But when the ghosts of three dreamy musicians (Gillespie, Joyner, and Shada) from 1995 suddenly appear in her mom’s old music studio, Julie feels her own inner spirit beginning to reawaken, and she’s inspired to start singing and writing songs again. As their friendship with Julie grows, the boys convince her to create a new band together: Julie and the Phantoms.
The upcoming show is executive produced by High School Musical and Descendants franchises’ director Kenny Ortega, so you know it’s going to be great!
Julie and the Phantoms also stars Descendants 3‘s Jadah Marie, Booboo Stewart and Cheyenne Jackson, Savannah May, Carlos Ponce, Sonny Bustamante and Sacha Carlson.
Look out for the show on Netflix on September 10. All 9 episodes will premiere at once!
High School Musical director Kenny Ortega confirmed that Ryan Evans, the character played by Lucas Grabeel, is a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
In an interview with Variety, Kenny was asked, “Do you think there’s a queer aesthetic that runs through all your movies?”
Kenny said, “Yeah, for sure. I do, because that’s who I am. I put a lot of who I am into my work. I mean, really all the way back from the earliest work that I’ve done, even as a choreographer in film and television. And I think, yeah, that it’s just there, and whether it’s screaming at you, or whether it’s just sort of quietly there, it’s there.”
He added, “The character of Ryan [played by Lucas] in High School Musical, Sharpay’s twin brother, we decided he’d probably going to come out in college. It was less about coming out and just more about letting his true colors come forward.”
Variety then asked, “Would it have been possible when you made “High School Musical” to have had Ryan be openly gay?”
“I have to be honest with you. I didn’t think at the time — and Disney is the most progressive group of people I’ve ever worked with,” he said. “I was concerned because it was family and kids, that Disney might not be ready to cross that line and move into that territory yet. So, I just took it upon myself to make choices that I felt that those who were watching would grab. They would see it, they would feel it, they would know it and they would identify with it. And that is what happened.”
Find out who took part in the High School Musical reunion recently!
The cast of High School Musical reunited for a fun performance of “We’re All in This Together” during the Disney Family Singalong special and Zac Efron was even involved!
Zac is supposedly quarantined in the “middle of nowhere” with poor WiFi, but he sent in a grainy video that served as an introduction to the performance.
Director Kenny Ortega brought together Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Monique Coleman, and Corbin Bleu, as well as the casts of other Disney Channel movies and productions, for a great performance.
“Hi everyone, I hope that you’re safe and that you’re healthy and that you’re doing as well as possible during these unprecedented times. It’s my greatest pleasure to introduce a musical performance by some of my oldest friends, and some new ones. I hope that you enjoy, and remember, we’re all in this together,” Zac said. He unfortunately didn’t sing with the cast, but you can watch the performance below!
The cast of High School Musical is getting back together again for the upcoming Disney Family Singalong.
Kenny Ortega opened up to Deadline about the Wildcat reunion which will include Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, Lucas Grabeel and Zac Efron, who will appear in a video message during the special.
“I wanted to find something I can do to participate and it was so great to be given the call and invited by ABC to join,” Kenny shared. “It gave me a purpose to get up every morning. I feel really good that we have an opportunity to do something like this — it’s good medicine.”
He added about Zac‘s participation: “We couldn’t reach Zac until late but when we did, he immediately jumped in, of course. Everyone we reached out to was quick — and you’ll see it in their spirit and the way they come together from their homes. They recognize this is an opportunity to strengthen spirits for those joining us for the broadcast.”
The Wildcats are expected to be performing their signature song, “We’re All In this Together” on the program.
The Disney Family Singalong is slated to air on Thursday, April 16 at 8/7c on ABC.
If you missed it, Vanessa, Ashley, Monique, Lucas and Corbin just reunited on Zoom over the weekend!
The High School Musical OGs got together for a group video chat!
Cast members Vanessa Hudgens, Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, Lucas Grabeel, Ashley Tisdale, director Kenny Ortega, and more all had a virtual reunion from their own homes while practicing social distancing amid the current coronavirus pandemic.
“Guess who’s back…” Vanessa captioned the screenshot below on Instagram, while Monique added along with the same shot, “Together….together…..🎹😉.”
Noticeably missing was their co-star Zac Efron.
Check it out below!
ICYMI, the cast of Victorious also just had a virtual reunion for the show’s 10th anniversary.
Click inside to see Monique’s post…More Here! »
