For those of you without tweens, HSM is the story of smart Gabriella and jock Troy, teens from different high schools who meet during their winter break, sing some karaoke together at a ski lodge, exchange cell numbers, and go back to their respective lives. Gabriella moves to Albuquerque's East High School, home of the Wildcats...and--completely coincidentally!--Troy. The show begins with a he-said/she-said recounting of their meeting (think "Summer Lovin'" from Grease) with their friends from the Archetype Depot. Troy's the basketball star, Gabriella's the academic decathelon star, and they both wind up trying out for the high school musical, Juliet and Romeo, written by Shy Asian Musician Girl. In matching teal, the high school drama queen, Sharpay, and her twin brother Ryan (sort of an understudy for Ugly Betty's Marc St. James) conspire against our two star-crossed lovers for the leads in the musical. Throw in the must-win brain brawl and the big game--both in conflict with the musical call-backs--and, well, you get the idea. It all works out, and all main characters (except Ryan, 'cause this is Disney...) pair up in the end. more ›