East High is 'Musical' attraction

A school is probably the least likely place kids want be on their summer vacation, but families are flocking to East High School this summer to wander the halls of the very school in which Disney's famous "High School Musical" was filmed.

Both hands went over Lizzie Hatch's mouth when she walked into the gym at East.

She was there — in the very spot where her favorite song was performed in her favorite scene from her very favorite movie.

The 7-year-old, sporting a "High School Musical" T-shirt, was all smiles as she ran around the gym and posed for pictures with her siblings.

"It's my favorite movie because I love the songs and my favorite is Gabriella," Lizzie said, referring to one of the star characters.

The Hatches, who are from Austin, Texas, are one of hundreds of families who have visited the famed school where Disney's "High School Musical" was filmed — a movie that has a cult following, especially among teeny-boppers.

The show was produced at the school two summers ago, and portions of its sequel, soon to be released, were filmed last March. Then in early spring People magazine ran an article on East High, something that only fueled interest in the school among movie fans.

This summer school leaders said that about 40 to 50 people per day have visited the school and the gym, even finding the actual lockers that belonged to the characters in the movie.

Assistant principal Martin Yablonovsky said they have sold more than 200 East High T-shirts to visitors but have yet to capitalize on the school's popularity beyond that.

Maybe school leaders will put a plan together this fall, he said.

For the Hatches, getting to go inside the school was a pleasant surprise. They had arrived at the school thinking they would take a few pictures from outside, but were excited to learn they could go inside.

Harrison Hatch, Lizzie's 8-year-old brother, said he couldn't wait to get back to Texas to brag about where he had been — the very gym "where Troy won the basketball championship."

"I am going to go back and tell all of my friends that I got to see where they filmed the movie — they'll think it's cool, especially some of the girls," Harrison said.

Audrey Hatch, the kids' mom, said she is more than willing to support her children's interest.

"It's a wholesome film for kids that captures all the things kids go through and of all the things they could be getting into, this is a good thing to be obsessed with," she said.

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E-mail: terickson@desnews.com