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To Disneys credit, they kind of gave me a big shot at it.

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Though, to be fair, they did cut the title down a bit.

You wont see anyone named Troy or Gabriella, but you will see characters playing them.

Yes, there are shades ofKaren and Ivyat work here.

If the worst thing my show gets compared to isSmashwith acne, Federle said.

I will die a happy man.

Why would we even take a stab at re-create Ashley Tisdale?

Federle said, so instead, the show has a male character play Sharpay in the musical.

To Disneys credit, they never once said to me, Are you sure about this?

The series stars actual teenagers, who act like them.

I think its something you cant fake.

It was a real search, and a real hunt.

In the first episode, for instance, theres a dramatically significant Instagram video.

Im not worrying about logos and brands quite as much because were not advertiser-supported.

Nobody vapes, but its pretty authentic.

You will hear the songs from the original, and also some new ones.

I dont, at this point, think theres a huge documentary reveal, Federle said.

Older millennials, you are represented.

Reinders played Dainty June in the 2003Gypsyrevival, in which Federle played a farm boy.

Its all very self-referential, Federle said.

It all goes back to Bernadette Peters, not Patti LuPone, for the record.

Can they doGypsy, and is there a meta role somewhere for Bernadette Peters?

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