An original cast member of Disney’s High School Musical just hit the stage in the latest live adaptation of the hit film, breathing life into an entirely different character in a move fans are calling the “most iconic casting ever actually.”
KayCee Stroh, who portrayed Martha Cox in the trilogy, takes on the role of the iconic drama teacher, Ms. Darbus, in the stage version of the beloved musical currently running at The Lyric Theatre in Lowry, Salford.
“This will be my love letter to the fans,” she said in a clip uploaded to TikTok by the stage production’s official account.
“When I did receive the call, I was a little bit shocked,” she added, joking that, 20 years later, she wasn’t sure if she could still “pull off this whole Martha thing.” But it hit her that, “Yes, I need to do this,” and fans quipped that the “Martha to Ms Darbus pipeline feels so right.”
“I am so honored that I get to usher High School Musical into the next generation of Wildcats,” Stroh added, but it’s the OG fans who are really living for it.
@highschoolmusicalonstage “This will be my love letter to the fans.” 20 years after the original High School Musical, Disney icon @KayCee Stroh is heading back to East High, making her debut as the iconic Ms. Darbus.
♬ original sound – High School Musical On Stage
Clips of the new production’s megamix, which comes at the end alongside the bows and is permitted to be filmed, flooded the social media platform, and fans of the beloved Disney franchise were floored by the creative choices on display.
Stroh takes center stage in her oh-so-sparkly costume during the mashup of the production’s music, breaking out her iconic “Pop & Lock, Jam & Break” move from the original film, and then boldly mouthing “Don’t!” before the lyrics “stick to the status quo.”
@alondrasandoval148 20 years later and KayCee Stroh still has “the pop and lock and jam and break” in her 🏀🎤 @KayCee Stroh @High School Musical On Stage #hsm #kayceestroh #msdarbus #thelowry #highschoolmusical
♬ original sound – alondrasandoval148
The message was well-received, with one applauding, “A baddie never really stops being a baddie 🤌✨.”
“This is so cool!” someone else commended. “Glad to see her still shining!”
“She looks brilliant 💪,” another agreed.
International fans also vented their frustration, lamenting their inability to see her perform live: “So jealous really want to see this! She’s awesome and such a star 🤍.”
The production, which is the first UK non-replica production, runs through Sept. 19 before transferring to the West End.
Related: ‘High School Musical’ Cast Celebrates 20-Year Anniversary: From Wildcats to Icons