The Disney ban of unsavory behavior seems to get lifted earlier nowadays. You couldn't find Annette Funicello doing the things Lindsay Lohan got away with on camera...or was caught doing red-handed in real life.

Still, some of the new generation (Hilary Duff, Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, and most stars from High School Musical) have avoided scandal and downfall in their professional repertoire. Lohan's stripper-bomb "I Know Who Killed Me" really doesn't sit on the same level as anything this clean-cut group has released. Although Vanessa Hudgens had a racy photo leak, for the most part these kids are playing by the rules of Mickey Mouse. God help them if they decide to stray:

See the Jonas Brothers getting their asses kicked for defying Mickey Mouse in "South Park" (start watching at 2:27)



These celebrities need to grow up at some point. Unfortunately for Disney, if they wanted to keep their tight grip on the "HSM" brand, the next step is "College Musical," which would have to include the following very un-Disney characteristics:

College Acceptance

Assuming all those years of singing and dancing through life still left time to be educated thoroughly, there would be one last unrealistic, big-production singalong. It would center around each main character's acceptance into college. There would be the Disney touch, of course. Some go to the "big" schools, some get into their artsy niche schools of choice, and some fall in between. "Accepted!!!" would immediately be a hit single for tweens, although the sad kids that only make it to community college that had expected more of themselves would last that first scene ONLY. Sorry kids, welcome to the first reality smack-in-the-face from higher education. The higher you aim, the further you may fall. Or, four years of musical production does not a college freshman make. (Disney will decide to not include the song "FML" due to its sad topic matter and awesome title)

The experiences of College Musical provide another four (or five) years of stories. The plot would shift between each character coming into their own, something college tends to catalyze for young adults. Although, the liberals that tend to flock towards theater also tend to flock towards other things...Disney would have to come to terms with the somewhat unknown badass culture of actual college theater.

Image © Courtesy Total Assault

Themed Parties

The ability to commit and get into character goes up a notch in college. Now, this is more than just a past time, a way to fill up high school days. This is a serious hobby, a passion, or a major. College musical casts know how to commit and how to relax. They know how to organize and follow themes, feelings, and music. Thus, they know how to throw a wicked awesome themed party. Take your pick from all the usual ones: toga parties, beach bashes, any other usual themes. The cast can do it, and probably do it better than it's been done before. These are also the uber creative kids - don't expect the run of the mill theme either. "Down with Prop 8 Fiestas" and "Blago-Bashes" are just as fair game as anything else. Now, with the creative minds of repressed ex-Disney characters ready to think freely, who knows what unique shindigs might surface.

Sexing It Up

Those soirees usually wait until the wrap night of a show. Meaning there's plenty of tween-scarring behavior that occurs prior to the final blow-out. Case-in-point: how many times during a love scene in HSM did the pants come off? Not many? Well, welcome to college...does this require elaboration? Let's make one thing clear: the casts can contain gay men willing to bring a sexual energy to the rehearsals, explorative ladies that are anything but shy, and the most intelligent of all - the straight male actors that have spent all of high school hanging out with theater geeks, legitimately honing their craft (and hanging out with girls). These fellows turn into the Chase Crawfords of the world. But, they need to start somewhere. Suggestions: downstage left, after rehearsal, use proper protection.

Getting By With A Little Help From "Friends"...

Then there's "getting into the scene." Some actors take a moment to collect themselves. Some furiously pace while talking to themselves to get into character. And, for some, there's always the help of natural remedies for calming the nerves, loosening up, or just "feeling it." These things are readily available on college campuses. And often lead to a fantastic show after hours of practice "in the scene."

Finally, the subject matter of college theater productions can be edgier material. Case in point: "Hair" in all its single-naked-scene glory. Disney, you make some great singalongs and tween starts, but this is one area where even the cast of "It's Always Sunny," has you beat.


Story by Kate Kostal

Starpulse contributing writer