"We are deeply honored, and I am delighted on behalf of the state of Utah, to welcome back the Wildcats," he said.

As Hudgens noted, she and the press conference participants tried to keep the talk to the current production. That included questions about whether there will be be future "High School Musical" features with a new cast of characters (the third movie introduces a few new ones), or whether the current cast might appear in something like "College Musical."

"I don't know. Maybe 'Down at the Farm Musical?"' Ortega asked jokingly.

They also wouldn't say whether this will be the final "High School Musical" project done in Utah. The current one is ramping up as the current school year at East High winds down.

Still, East High principal Paul Sagers did say that "a few schedules have had to be adjusted and some accommodations had to be made."

But he added that "the benefits far outweigh the negatives. The school has gotten so much positive publicity because of these movies."

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E-mail: jeff@desnews.com