HBO Max hosts Homeschool Musical

WarnerMedia’s newly launched SVoD service HBO Max has greenlit a lockdown-inspired teen scripted special.

Jennifer O’Connell

Homeschool Musical: Class of 2020 will feature student actors from high-school graduating classes across the US. With their world turned upside down by the pandemic, the students must carry out their high-school lives, including major events like their prom, spring musicals and graduation, from home.

Homeschool Musical was inspired by actor Laura Benanti’s online movement #SunshineSongs, in which she offered to provide an audience for the students around the US whose spring musicals were cancelled because of Covid-19.

The special is being produced by World of Wonder, with Benanti serving as exec producer alongside Randy Barbato, Fenton Bailey and Tom Campbell, while US singer and songwriter Leland will write and produce the original songs and score.

Jennifer O’Connell, executive VP of original non-fiction and kids’ programming at HBO Max, said: “As a mom of teenagers, I know that this time has been a struggle for them. High-school seniors in particular have been hit hard by this pandemic, their dreams of homecoming, prom, spring performances and even graduation being cancelled.

“Laura’s brilliant idea to give these kids an audience and a platform has blossomed into this unique opportunity for us to not only celebrate their talent, but to entertain many other families across the country sharing their experience.”

HBO Max launched across the US earlier this week.