The Disney TV movie "High School Musical" spawned a movement — attracting millions of preteen viewers, selling songs from its soundtrack, and inspiring a stage musical production that transitioned from a high school production to Broadway.

Next week, "High School Musical 2" hits the small screen.

What's the attraction? Local kids and the adults who track their enthusiasms chalk it up to the sing-along tunes, infectious dance sequences, colorful characters — and emphasis on self-expression, self-esteem and friendship.

Eleven-year-old Alessandra Siracusa from Kane'ohe can't get enough of peppy songs like "We're All in This Together" and "When There Was Me & You" from the mega-popular first movie.

"I have the songs on my MP3 player, and I listen to them all the time," Alessandra said. "When (the movie) first came out, I was really excited."

Alessandra is among countless tweens feeling the hype of "High School Musical 2," which premieres Aug. 17 on the Disney Channel. The sequel follows characters Troy Bolton, Gabriella Montez and the rest of the gang of East Side High during their summer break before senior year.

"I'm a very big fan and I love (the original movie)," said Anne Fanelli, 9, of Manoa. "I'm looking forward to seeing all my favorite characters again."

KEYS TO SUCCESS

The first "High School Musical" drew more than 7 million viewers in its premiere broadcast in January 2006, and has drawn many multiples of that number in reruns. In its wake came music downloads, T-shirts, posters — even school folders plastered with the faces of its likable stars. All served to add more numbers to the widespread community of young fans of the film.

The movie's appeal came mainly from its catchy music filled with positive messages, such as breaking away from stereotypes and practicing teamwork, said Nani Elm Sypert, an instructor at The Movement Center, a nonprofit performing arts school in Kaimuki.

"It's really refreshing that kids are going crazy about something so positive," Sypert said.

Sypert, who taught street dance and musical theater classes at Sacred Hearts Academy's summer school this past session, incorporated the Disney musical and its positive messages into her classes.

At the end of the six-week program last month, Sypert's students — including Alessandra and Anne — put on a little show for their parents using some of the movie's numbers, including "Breaking Free." Among its optimistic lyrics: "Climbin' to get to that place, to be all that we can be/ Now's the time/ So we're breaking free."

Along with the contagious song and dance numbers, characters with "likable personalities" also added to the movie's success, Sypert said.

Auli'i Breault's favorite character was the movie's main guy, Troy, "because he plays basketball," the 6-year-old said with a little voice.

Auli'i, of 'Ewa Beach, added that she didn't have a favorite part in the flick.

"I like the whole movie," she said.

On the other hand, Anne favored the leading lady.

"Gabriella, because she's not mean and she's very smart," she said.

While "High School Musical" scored a loyal following among the younger set, adults like Sypert also found themselves getting hooked.

"I fell in love with it," Sypert said. "I loved the innocence and I loved the wholesomeness."

CATCHY TUNES, THEMES

Stanley Orr, associate professor of English at the University of Hawai'i-West O'ahu, notes that "High School Musical" is one in a line of tuneful filmed entertainments that have taken on a popular life of their own.

Orr likens it to other well-loved musicals such as "Singin' in the Rain" (1952) and "Grease" (1978).

"In an often repressive and cynical society, musicals offer the fantasy of impulsive, authentic self-expression," the professor said.

Musicals are exuberant, and their characters share their feelings. The characters in such musicals feel their emotions so deeply that they cannot help but burst out in song, Orr observed, and their performances appear "unrehearsed, from the heart."

"It follows that the spontaneous performer is not only a superior artist, but also a more honest and sensitive human being, one capable of entering into genuine relationships with friends, lovers and the community at large.

"This is certainly true of Troy and Gabriella ... protagonists whose intuitive musical abilities enable them to transcend their respective cliques, realize themselves as growing and changing young adults, and enter into a meaningful relationship," he said.

Bottom line: Fans, young and old, are attracted by the story of growth, learning and shared experience.

When Troy and Gabriella return for "High School Musical 2" next week, Sypert will be among fans tuning in for their newest adventures.

"I hope that there is still the same innocence and that there are still the same sorts of positive lessons," she said.

Alessandra, the Kane'ohe pre-teen, has high expectations for the sequel.

"I'm hoping it's better than the original," Alessandra said.

Reach Zenaida Serrano at zserrano@honoluluadvertiser.com.