Maddie tells Cody that the play in their high school will be a stage version of High School Musical. With Zack working backstage, Maddie, London, Cody, and Antonio all try out for parts in the school play. Cody lands a starring role as Troy Bolton, London is selected to play Sharpay Evans, and Antonio plays Ryan Evans. To her dismay, Maddie lands a role as London's understudy, simply because London's dad financed the drama teacher's Broadway musical, Floss.
Tropes:
- Accidental Misnaming: London, upon getting the role, calls Sharpay "Sharpie".
- Actor Allusion:
- Maddie constantly states that she resembles Sharpay, but no one else can see it, much to her chagrin. This eventually reaches its peak when the director of the play comments that Cody looks like Zac Efron.
Maddie: And I don't look like Ashley Tisdale?! You people are all crazy!- Maddie being declined by Mr. Blaine to play the role of Sharpay due to being "too nice" is a reference to her portrayer Ashley Tisdale being rejected by Kenny Ortega because of her role as Maddie.
- Ambiguously Gay: Antonio
- Blatant Lies: Moseby enters the room, claiming to be getting noise complaints. When London sheepishly admits she was practicing her singing, Moseby quickly backs down and claims it was "someone else" singing horribly.
- Hollywood Tone-Deaf: London
- Poke the Poodle: Maddie gets turned down for the role of Sharpay because she's "too nice"; she tries to defend her ability to be mean with, "Sometimes, when I give sandwiches to the poor, I don't cut off the crusts!"
- This Is Gonna Suck: As Carey and London continue through the scale, Carey's expression gets increasingly pained.
