Disney’s ‘Musical’ offers simple lesson

What do you call a musical about kids putting on a musical? Why, “High School Musical” (8 p.m., Disney), of course.

But this feature-length teen film takes a few potshots at the cliches of the backstage world and throws in a Romeo and Juliet plot to boot.

Troy (Zac Efron) and Gabriella (Vanessa Anne Hudgens) meet on vacation at a ski lodge. He’s a basketball-obsessed jock, and she’s a straight-A type who’d rather have her lovely nose buried in a book. Their mothers insist they attend a New Year’s Eve teen party.

Once there, the DJ pushes them onto a karaoke stage. Within seconds, they are making beautiful, or at least passably “American Idol”-worthy, music together.

Once back home, Troy is delighted to discover that his mysterious singing partner has transferred to his high school. But the magic may be gone.

He’s the star of the basketball team and the coach’s son, and the expectations of jock-dom weigh heavily on his shoulders. Gabriella is pounced upon by the brainy types and drafted into the academic decathlon team.

These two wouldn’t dare try out for the school musical, would they?

To do so would not only challenge the rigid clique-driven social order of their high school, but they’d also run up against vain drama queen Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale) and her fey fashion-victim brother, Ryan (Lucas Grabeel).

Together, they’ve had their jazz hands in every school production dating back to kindergarten, and they brook no competition.

This being a Disney movie, the lesson is simple and repeated regularly. In short: Be yourself and don’t let others define you.

The story of two star-crossed warblers and the obstacles they face is a tad thin to sustain a two-hour spectacle. This “Musical” is shy a subplot or two.

But the cast is game and the costumes fun in an absurd fashion. Even the math team dresses in bright, bold colors.

Although “Musical” takes place in the present, the hairstyles and clothes represent a grab bag of periods.

Troy sports a name out of the ‘50s and a shag from the ‘70s. Sharpay looks like Nancy Sinatra, circa “These Boots are Made for Walkin.”’

Sharpay and Ryan sing, dance and cling together like some curdled variation on Donny and Marie Osmond. Alyson Reed portrays the imperious drama teacher, Ms. Darbus, with enjoyably over-the-top pomposity.

For a musical about a musical, the songs are surprisingly scarce. “Musical” makes up for this with ambitious choreography, often involving the entire student body in song and dance.

A rescue dog named Buddy terrorizes his fellow canines. Can “The Dog Whisperer” (8 p.m., National Geographic) save the day and provide Buddy’s owner with New Age wisdom along the way?

So far, the biggest question on “Dancing With the Stars” (8 p.m., ABC) is, how does Master P survive? He had an excuse the first week, since he came in late, with little time for practice.

Compared to his diligent competitors, P “performs” with spectacular indifference. How long will he survive? Can he win?

Other highlights

A visit to wine country becomes a messy, talky voyage of discovery for two old friends (Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church) in the 2004 drama/comedy “Sideways” (7:45 p.m., Cinemax).

Murder between teen siblings on “In Justice” (9 p.m., ABC).

Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger, Richard Gere and Queen Latifah star in the 2002 film adaptation of the musical “Chicago” (9 p.m., Bravo).

The murder of a witness in a corporate corruption case on “Numb3rs” (10 p.m., CBS).

Shared visions on “The Book of Daniel” (10 p.m., NBC).

A blow to the noggin on “Monk” (10 p.m., USA).

Cult choice

The late character actor Vincent Schiavelli has a memorable role in the 1990 tearjerker “Ghost” (8 p.m., Family).

Series notes

A young accident victim provides comfort from beyond the grave on “Ghost Whisperer” (8 p.m., CBS) … An hour of clips on “Most Outrageous Moments” (8 p.m., NBC) … On two episodes of “Bernie Mac” (Fox, TV-PG), fertility (8 p.m.) and paternity (8:30 p.m.) … Put out by incomes on “What I Like About You” (8 p.m., WB) … Bowling league changes on “Hope & Faith” (8:30 p.m., ABC) … Matchmaking on “Living With Fran” (8:30 p.m., WB) … .

A suspect claims she was divinely inspired on “Close to Home” (9 p.m., CBS) … Worlds collide on “Trading Spouses” (9 p.m., Fox) … Meddling and mothering on “Reba” (9 p.m., WB) … An old face from the past on “Twins” (9:30 p.m., WB).