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The film phenomenon "High School Musical 3" hit theaters at midnight, throwing the spotlight once again on Salt Lake City. This movie, like the others, features Utah talent.
The film series has made East High School the most famous high school in the world. The school's principal says there are so many requests for tours that he has insisted visitors wait until classes end at 2:30 p.m.
Billed as "the musical experience of a generation," the film hits theaters this weekend for round three. Whether you're into this or not, these films have made the young actors superstars, and have put Salt Lake's East High School on the map.
Co-starring roles in all three films have launched acting careers for at least two Utahns.
"I was a dance teacher here in Salt Lake City, teaching in basements and things like that, and never knew how I was gonna break into the business; and this phenomenon has changed our lives," said Kaycee Stroh, who appears in "High School Musical 3."
Ryne Sanborn went from being a skater in the Opening Ceremony of the 2002 Olympics to a basketball player in the original "High School Musical."
"I was doing school and hockey, and that was all my life was; and 'High School Musical' came around, and there's so many opportunities now. I can go to LA. I can go to college, you know. I can pursue the acting career as far as I want, and it's really cool to wake up and have that freedom, that accessibility to everything. So, it's been crazy," Sanborn said.
Crazy excited is how many describe young peoples' anticipation about the latest film. One group we met camped out at the theater to wait for the midnight screening.
"You can say you saw the first showing. So, it's pretty intense," said fan Melissa Tingey.
With the first film, the Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA) at East High started selling T-shirts and hats with "The Original East High" printed on them. So far, sales have reached $20,000. The money goes to the school's clubs and teams.
E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com
