2008-08-24 04:50:03 -

- Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Burbank Jasmine Madatian, 818-560-5610 Senior Vice President, Publicity or Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International/Burbank Michelle Sewell, 818-560-3173 Senior Vice President, International Publicity A thousand lucky fans were surprised when stars from "High School Musical 3: Senior Year"-- Zac Efron, Ashley Tisdale, Olesya Rulin, KayCee Stroh, Chris Warren Jr., Ryne Sanborn, Justin Martin, Matt Prokop and Jemma McKenzie-Brown-- showed up to cheer them on as they participated in the Ultimate Fan Pep Rally, an event which included an exclusive sneak peek of the upcoming film.

Director Kenny Ortega was also on hand for the event. "We owe the success of the first two films to the fans," said Ortega. "And now that we're taking

the phenomenon to the big screen Oct. 24 with 'High School Musical 3,' we wanted to show them some appreciation with a few surprise visits from their favorite stars." "It was the ultimate surprise," said Tisdale. "A thousand fans showed up to watch the first two movies and to be the first to see some new footage from 'High School Musical 3.' Then we all walk out--surprise!--and the whole place goes crazy."

The super fans came donning their Wildcat red and white to show their HSM spirit and view sing-along versions of "High School Musical" and "High School Musical 2." They were also treated to an exclusive sneak peek of HSM3, featuring a never-before-seen musical production number set to new music "A Night to Remember."

Fans won the opportunity to participate in the Pep Rally by calling into Radio Disney, KIIS-FM and KABC-TV. Additionally, MySpace invited users to add Black Curtain Screenings and HSM3 to their top friends and bring a copy of their profile with them to the Pep Rally--the first 200 were admitted to the event.

About the Movie

Disney's "High School Musical" phenomenon leaps onto the big screen in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR, in which America's favorite high school students (ZAC EFRON, VANESSA HUDGENS, ASHLEY TISDALE, LUCAS GRABEEL, CORBIN BLEU and MONIQUE COLEMAN) hit senior year. Amidst a basketball championship, prom and a big spring musical featuring all of the Wildcats, Troy and Gabriella vow to make every moment last as their lifelong college dreams put the future of their relationship in question. A crew of sophomore Wildcats (MATT PROKOP, JUSTIN MARTIN, JEMMA MCKENZIE-BROWN) joins in the fun as the film's incredible new music and exciting dance numbers take maximum advantage of the big screen.

The film opens in theaters Oct. 24.

"High School Musical 3: Senior Year" Ultimate Fan Pep Rally
Features Surprise Visit from Stars Zac Efron, Ashley Tisdale, Olesya
Rulin, Kaycee Stroh, Chris Warren Jr., Ryne Sanborn, Justin Martin,
Matt Prokop, Jemma Mckenzie-Brown and Director Kenny Ortega

A Thousand Lucky Fans Welcomed to El Capitan Theatre Saturday,
Aug. 23, to Celebrate "High School Musical 3: Senior Year," Opening
Oct. 24