Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with High School Musical: The Musical – The Series’ Larry Saperstein

Larry Saperstein is soaring as Big Red on the Disney+ series High School Musical: The Musical – The Series. The must-see show of 2019 follows a new group of Wild Cats who are putting together a production of the iconic films. Larry’s character, Big Red, is the lovable sidekick who’s more than meets the eye. Pop Culturalist spoke with Larry about his breakout role.

PC: Tell us about your character in High School Musical: The Musical – The Series and what attracted you to this project.
Larry: I play Big Red, who’s Ricky’s best friend. When Ricky decides he wants to do the musical at East High, Big Red rolls up his sleeves and falls into this world, even though he’s not familiar with it. I think that’s really admirable. He doesn’t know anything about it, but he decides to give it his all anyway.

As far as the project goes, when I heard it was a series based on High School Musical, there was a little bit of apprehension, but as soon as I read the pilot, I was so excited. This show is building on its legacy and we’re doing something that’s totally original with it. I’m still so excited!

PC: This is your first big television role as a series regular. Did anything surprise you about the experience? What was the biggest takeaway?
Larry: I learned so much! The cast was living together in Salt Lake City, and I’m from New York, so that was a big change for me. It was also the first time that I got to live with a role for this long—Big Red has become part of me. I’ve been able to figure out all the intricacies of who he is. That has been a really liberating experience.

PC: You grew up training in tap. How helpful was that in rehearsing for this role?
Larry: I think it was super helpful! A lot of that tap dance training actually came from me being in musical theatre. I grew up in New York with theatre people. We get to do this show about being theatre kids, and I was a high school theatre kid. Being able to do a show that’s so truthful to my experiences as a teenager is so exciting. That really helped prepared me for this world.

PC: Was there any pressure heading into this project given that this is your first role as a series regular, you’re readapting this iconic franchise, and it’s one of the first shows to premiere on Disney+?
Larry: There’s so much pressure. There are a lot of eyes on us. We’re trying to do something that’s never been done before, but Tim Federle, our executive producer, is brilliant. When we first met him, I knew he had nothing but the best intentions; he had so many great ideas. We all knew he was going to create this perfect world and that he would do right by this legacy, yet make something that speaks to 2019, which is perfect for this new streaming audience. There was definitely a lot of pressure and a lot of nerves, but Tim really had our backs and I trust him with everything.

PC: What similarities do you share with Big Red? What can you tease about his arc this season?
Larry: The thing that I love about Big Red is his loyalty; he sticks by Ricky through and through. He is that friend that’s always there for you. As a person and as a friend, that’s something that I strive for in my own life. I also admire his passion to go for it and try new things. He gives it his all and just enjoys it. He doesn’t criticize other people and he’s not judgmental, which I really admire.

What I love about this series is that every single character has the opportunity to be fully developed. It’s a ten-part docu-style series. Even though Big Red is introduced as this silly, goofy, sidekick character, you’ll really get to see him come into his own in a new way. He’ll have his own moment.

PC: Throughout the series, we’ll get to see the cast revisit iconic songs from the franchise. Was there any particular number you were most excited for?
Larry: All of the numbers from the original movies are so iconic. Getting to perform “We’re All in This Together” on a big stage and record “Stick to the Status Quo” in a recording studio was completely surreal. It’s been beyond my wildest dreams. What I love about our series, too, is that we have all these originals made for our show. Every new song tells a new story, but they complement the ones from the original movies. Every song was a dream come true.

PC: We already know the series has been picked up for a second season. Where would you like to see your character’s arc head?
Larry: Wow, that’s a tough question. The cool thing about Season 1 is that there is a lot of character development. Not to give any spoilers, but there are a couple of cliffhangers at the end of the season that will allow Big Red to develop even further in the musical theatre world. I’m so excited to see this community of theatre kids at East High continue to develop their talents.

Who in the Cast is…

PC: Most like their character?
Larry: That has to go to Frankie [Rodriguez]. He’s so similar to Carlos in terms of his sass, tone, and just the way about him, while still being so kind and charming.

PC: Most unlike their character?
Larry: There are parts of myself that are very different than Big Red, but I’m going to say Matt Cornett, who plays EJ. He’s so different from his character. He’s the sweetest, most genuine person that you’ll ever meet, and at the beginning of the story, EJ is painted a little as the villain. I think Sofia Wylie is also unlike her character because she’s also the sweetest, most genuine person, and definitely not an evil Gina-type.

PC: Most likely to break into song?
Larry: Probably Joshua Bassett. He would do this thing where he’d come to the hair and makeup trailer with a speaker and start playing music. He’d get the energy up and everyone hyped. He would also carry his guitar around all the time.

PC: Best singer?
Larry: Everyone is so talented. Olivia Rodrigo definitely gets to show off her voice in the show. Julia Lester is also a fantastic singer.

PC: The quickest to pick up choreography?
Larry: Sofia is a wonderful dancer.

PC: Most likely to nail a scene in one take?
Larry: We’ve all had our moments. We’ve been filming for so long and I know everyone has had those days.

To keep up with Larry, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Catch new episodes of High School Musical: The Musical – The Series every Friday on Disney+.

Photo Credit: Disney