It’s hard to believe that it’s been 20 years since “High School Musical” premiered.
The megahit changed what it meant to be a Disney Channel Original Movie. The film premiered on January 20, 2006, and went on to become a franchise with “High School Musical 2” airing on Disney Channel the following summer, and “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” becoming Disney Channel’s first film to have a theatrical release in October 2008. The stars of the movie became household names overnight, including Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, and Ashley Tisdale.
Now, two decades later, millennials and Gen Z are gearing up to celebrate the original movie’s 20th anniversary.
One unique way fans can celebrate the milestone is happening in Southern California. DCOM: Live! is a touring concert event, similar to nostalgic DJ tours like Party101, featuring former Nickelodeon star Matt Bennett. DCOM: Live! is like a tribute band meets Disney Channel, claiming to play everything from “Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century” to “Zombies.”
The tour stops in Huntington Beach on Jan. 17 and Thousand Oaks on Jan. 23, and the cast will be joined by one of the stars of “High School Musical.”
@dcomlive That voice is undeniable. #TroyBolton #HighSchoolMusical #HSM #DCOMLive
Drew Seeley, who sang Troy Bolton’s songs in the first film, will bring his vocals to Southern California. For those who aren’t familiar with the film’s lore, it isn’t Zac Efron singing “Start of Something New” or “We’re All In This Together.” In fact, the only part you hear Efron on in the “High School Musical” soundtrack is the first line of “Breaking Free”; the rest is all Seeley.
That’s why when High School Musical: The Concert happened from 2006 to 2007, Seeley joined the cast to once again sing Troy Bolton’s parts — well, that and the fact that Efron was filming the movie adaptation of the Broadway musical “Hairspray.” Seeley even got his own section during the tour to perform “Dance With Me,” a song he recorded with Belinda for the “Cheetah Girls 2” soundtrack.
Additionally, Seeley is commemorating the film’s anniversary in his own way by releasing a new song, “In This For Life.” In a video he shared on social media, while wearing a Wildcats jersey, Seeley said the song is his “unofficial thank you to the fans for sticking around for 20 years.”
@itsmedrewseeley Release day! Recruited some friends from the tour and film to help me share this new tune with you! Here’s to 20 years of keeping your head in the game.
And something to rock out to before the actual 20 year anniversary next week. ENDLESS gratitude.
For more information about DCOM: Live! Tickets visit https://www.dcomlive.com/