Beauty and the Beast High School Musical cast

EW has your exclusive first look at Rodrigo and the rest of her High School Musical: The Musical: The Series costars in their costumes performing Beauty and the Beast on opening night in this week's episode 11, "Showtime." And Nini's (Rodrigo) dancing fork wardrobe isn't the only jaw-dropping reveal. Check out Ricky (Joshua Bassett) as the Beast with some hilarious prosthetics, Ashlyn (Julia Lester) as Belle in all her gorgeous Disney princess glory, and more in the photos below.

Plus, there's a new Broadway belter making his way to the Disney+ series — Jordan Fisher (Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen) will guest star in this week's episode as Jamie Porter, the older brother to Gina (Sofia Wylie). A talented music producer, Jamie surprises his sister at the opening night of East High's Beauty and the Beast. But everything isn't all roses between these two siblings. Check out a sneak peek of Fisher's appearance in the clip below the photos.  

In the episode, “Typecasting,” Kourtney (Dara Renee), Carlos (Frankie A Rodriguez) and Big Red (Larry Saperstein) decide to join their friends and audition for on stage roles in “Beauty and the Beast,” while Nini (Olivia Rodrigo) experiences FOMO from afar. When new competition shows up to the tryout, Gina (Sofia Wylie) tries to shake off some old habits.

Towards the end of the episode, it’s revealed which East High drama club student got what role in their upcoming production of Beauty and the Beast. Nini is of course off at the Youth Actor’s Conservatory, so she has not been cast.

Miss Jenn has big plans for the East High School drama department. Hot off of the heels of High School Musical’s success, this teacher picked Beauty and the Beast as the spring musical. 

With Nini absent from auditions, Miss Jenn had to create a new character for this student. Here’s what we know about Nini’s new role in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series season 2.

Olivia Rodrigo portrays Nini in ‘High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’

The Disney+ original mockumentary introduced viewers to a new cast of Wildcats. That included some students from East High School, like Nini, portrayed by the “Drivers License” singer, Olivia Rodrigo.

After starring in a musical over summer break, Nini auditioned for the lead role of Gabriella and earned the part, starring alongside her ex-boyfriend, Ricky. Opening night wasn’t without its complications, but it did open Nini to new performing opportunities. 

RELATED: Which ‘High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’ Character Should Play Gaston in ‘Beauty and the Beast’?

Who will Nini play in East High School’s production of ‘Beauty and the Beast’

Because she enrolled in a performing arts high school, Nini wasn’t around when Miss Jenn cast the parts for the spring musical, Beauty and the Beast. As a result, Ashlyn got the role of Belle, and Ricky earned the role of The Beast. 

When Nini switched back to East High School, Ricky still wanted her to be a part of the drama department. Although it was technically without Nini’s permission, this character talked to Miss Jenn. Eventually, Nini was given a new role in this stage production. She would play the rose. 

RELATED: Even ‘High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’ Character, Big Red, Thinks Joshua Bassett Sings Like Shawn Mendes

Nini created the ‘Rose Song’ for East High’s production of ‘Beauty and the Beast’

This character is known as a songwriter in East High School and at her performing arts high school. As a result, Miss Jenn tasked her with creating a song for this new character. 

There was a bit of writer’s block initially. Eventually, Nini came up with “The Rose Song.” After it was posted to social media by Carlos, this song went viral. The actor songwriter behind this hit, though, is Rodrigo. 

“It sort of felt like a magical experience when I wrote ‘The Rose Song,’” Rodrigo said during an interview with USA Today. “I wrote the first version chords in 20 minutes the morning after [High School Musical producer Tim Federle] called me and told me about the concept of the song. It felt like it was meant to be.”

This song wouldn’t be the first original that Rodrigo wrote as her character. During season 1, Nini performed the song “All I Want,” written by this actor. Rodrigo and her co-star, Joshua Bassett, created “Just For a Moment,” which also appeared in the Disney+ original mockumentary. 

After a quick musical switch from Miss Jenn, the theater nerds of East High are ready to put on an iconic performance of the Disney stage musical, Beauty and the Beast. Here’s who each of the characters from High School Musical: The Musical: The Series are playing. 

[This article contains spoilers from the second episode of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series season 2!]

Ashlyn will portray Belle in East High School’s production of ‘Beauty and the Beast’

She slayed as Ms. Darbus in her school’s version of High School Musical. She even wrote an original song for her character, later writing another original song for her Beauty and the Beast audition. 

After hearing her sing “Belle,” Miss Jenn cast Ashlyn as the title character, Belle. It came as a surprise to the new girl at the drama club, but just like Nini said over video chat, Ashlyn deserved it. 

RELATED: Are Joshua Bassett and Olivia Rodrigo Friends? Here’s What We Know About the Cast Members From ‘High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’

Ricky will portray the Beast

Joshua Bassett’s character is a little apprehensive about auditioning for Beauty and the Beast. The first time, he only really auditioned to be with Nini. With Nini gone, this character had to decide if the drama club was where he truly wanted to be. Eventually, he auditioned and earned one of the main roles. 

EJ was cast as Gaston

This character is a little preoccupied with being a senior. He’s ready for his next year at Duke University. Technically, he hasn’t been accepted yet, but he still didn’t want to commit to a lead role this year. Instead, Miss Jenn gave him the part of Gaston, the villain of the Disney animated film. 

RELATED: Did the Cast of ‘High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’ Just Tease What Their Next Production Will Be?

Big Red earned his first role in a musical, acting as LeFou

He’s used to just chilling in the background. Inspired by his love for Ashlyn, this character auditioned for the spring musical. His audition wasn’t great, but Miss Jenn saw his potential to portray LeFou. 

Carlos will portray Lumiere 

For High School Musical, Carlos appeared as the choreographer. Now, with his sights set on a MEGOT (that’s a “Menkie,” Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony), this character auditioned for Beauty and the Beast. He earned the character who performs “Be Our Guest” — the candelabra named Lumiere. 

Nini’s best friend, Kourtney, will be Mrs. Potts

She was the costume designer for East High until she belted “Bop To The Top” and surprised all of the theater nerds. Thanks to some long-distance support from Nini, this character auditioned for the spring musical and got the part of Mrs. Potts.

Other characters earned iconic roles for this musical. Seb will appear as Mrs. Potts’ son, named Chip. Gina, after auditioning alongside Kourtney and Ashlyn, earned the part of Fifi. It’s still unclear if Nini will return to the halls of East High, especially after such a rough day at her new high school. 

Episodes of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series debut weekly on Disney’s streaming platform, Disney+.

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