Laura Benanti and HBO Max will give high school students from around the chance to perform in a pandemic-proof musical with the newly announced special “Homeschool Musical: Class of 2020.”
Inspired by Benanti’s #SunshineSongs social media campaign, the scripted special will star students whose school productions were shut down by COVID-19, and will feature original music performed from their homes.
Per HBO Max, “Homeschool Musical: Class of 2020” will “explore tried-and-true themes of classic teen movies through the totally unique lens of a world turned upside down by the global pandemic.” The cast will play a group of seniors from the same high school, and while the pandemic may have shut down their school, the drama and romantic intrigue live on.
The L.A.-based recording artist Leland will write and produce the original songs and score for the project, which is produced by “RuPaul’s Drag Race” producers World of Wonder. Randy Barbato, Fenton Bailey and Tom Campbell will serve as executive producers alongside Benanti.
“As a mom of teenagers, I know that this time has been a struggle for them. High School seniors, in particular, have been hit hard by this pandemic, their dreams of homecoming, prom, spring performances and even graduation being canceled,” said Jennifer O’Connell, executive vice president original non-fiction and kids programming. “Laura’s brilliant idea to give these kids an audience and a platform has blossomed into this unique opportunity for us to not only celebrate their talent, but to entertain many other families across the country sharing their experience.”
“Our school shows are more than just entertainment. At the very least, they bring our communities together to revel in the talent of our young artists. At their best, they are a life changing experience that these kids will bring with them into the rest of their lives,” said Benanti. “I am thrilled that the #SunshineSongs initiative has put the spotlight on so many incredible young performers; grateful to World of Wonder for its grand vision and to HBO MAX for providing a global platform on which America’s youth can shine!”
Hey, uh, are you all OK? Because we know it's not a relaxing time, what with the ever-worsening coronavirus pandemic and everything being locked down. But if we're gonna make it through... however long of isolating at home with our sanity intact, we need to stay positive. And we have just the thing for that! Just watch one of these movies with extremely happy endings, every single one guaranteed to leave you feeling so upbeat and genuinely awesome that you'll forget all about covid-19. Coronavirus, schmoronavirus, we say!"Babe" (1995): Ugly cry-smiling when James Cromwell says "that'll do, pig" doesn't boost antibodies, but if does make you feel damn good."Back to the Future" (1985): Marty fixes his life and his parents' lives with time travel. Then we get a SUPER DOPE sequel hook. And then comes Huey Lewis and the News at their artistic and commercial peak to make you feel so good you won't care about a statewide lockdown."Bridesmaids" (2012): New friendships made, old friendships saved, a romantic comedy romance for our heroine, then the cast lip syncs to "Hold On" by Wilson Phillips and it rules so much you don't mind sheltering at home for a month. "Bring It On" (2000): The Compton Clovers win the tournament, Isis (Gabrielle Union) and Torrence (Kirsten Dunst) become friends, The Toros' second-place finish still feels like a win because they did it without cheating, and then the cast mimes a cover of "Hey Mickey" that's so much fun who cares if society is crumbling."Chef" (2014): This is a great movie if you want to remember the Before Times, when we could still leave our houses and eat street food. You also get a dance party in the closing credits. Take that, end times anxiety."Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" (2009): Tim FINALLY shows real affection for his son and then Flint and Sam kiss. No, I'm not coughing I'm crying. "Dora and the Lost City of Gold" (2019): Nothing makes the pandemic blues fade like a great movie that also does an affectionate parody of "Dora the Explorer" tropes, then ends with an amazing musical number that basically recaps everything we learned."Fast Five" (a.k.a. "Fast & Furious 5") (2011): "Come on, baby. Don't be mean." Cue millions of dollars and a montage of our heroes living THAT life set to Don Omar's "Danza Kuduro." THEN Dom and Brian do a street race set to Omar's "How We Roll." Hell yeah, we roll like this!"Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey" (1993): Wait, the two dogs and their kitty friend make it home alive and Chance learns to love his family? Shut up! I'm not crying; you're crying. I SAID SHUT UP! I AM NOT CRYING!"Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again!" (2018): It's already one of the greatest movie musicals of all time before the ending turns into a totally insane sing along to Abba's "Super Trouper" featuring the older characters dancing with their younger selves, the ghost of Meryl Streep, and CHER!!!!"Pitch Perfect" series (2012-2017): All three of these perfect movies are perfect but the third in the series ends with a staggering performance of George Michael's "Freedom '90," and then the romantic loose ends are tied up in the credits. Pandemic depression cured!"Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping" (2016): The criminally underappreciated masterpiece from The Lonely Island is nonstop hilarious, and then Michael Bolton shows up at the end to sing "Incredible Thoughts." Also, the picture here is the world's cutest kitten just hugging a dog, which you'd know if your brain was a genius."The Princess Bride" (1987):That really was the best kiss of all time."Ratatouille" (2007): You know this movie is great and you know the end is great. Seems like now would be a great time to watch it again, doesn't it?"School of Rock" (2003): "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock n' Roll)" by AC/DC is indisputably the best rock song ever recorded. And Jack Black and the kids play it at the end of this great movie."Shazam!" (2019): By far the best movie not called "Superman: The Movie" to be based on a DC Comic. If you didn't yell "Hell Yes" and embarrass yourself in the theater when the thing depicted in the image above happened, you need a hug. "Sing Street" (2016): Awesome songs, a great coming-of-age story, then we end with a truly cathartic bittersweet moment of hope for the future and the successful pursuit of one's dreams. For instance, I dream of being able to leave the house again."To All the Boys I've Loved Before" (2018): This is a pretty good kiss, too."Trolls" (2016): When Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick sing "Can't Stop the Feeling" to turn the Bergens into happy dancing party people your mood will be dramatically improved, and I know because in November 2016 I saw this three times in the theater because, for some reason, I needed cheering up."Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (1971): "Don't forget what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he wanted." "What's that?" "He lived happily ever after." Just like we will once this whole thing is over.20 Movies With Extremely Happy Endings to Make You Forget All About the Pandemic (Photos) Self-quarantine more like self-quarantastic View In Gallery
