One should not take “Drama High: The Making of a High School Musical,” a two-hour special edition of “20/20” due to be broadcast tonight on ABC, for “The Making of ‘High School Musical.’” Although the shows may seem alike, the former brings several realistic elements into play, while the “High School Musical” films appeared to be part of a parallel universe.

The program focuses on the students of Virginia’s Westfield High, who are organizing a production of “The Wiz,” and in spite of the fact that viewers might expect teen romance and intrigues, the only strong connections are between the kids and their passion for acting.

Even though the performers are not professional actors and musicians, they manage to transmit an incredibly accurate message that is doubled by their aptitudes and skills, which marvel throughout the thrilling real-life story.

The special does bring to light, however, different types of people, without forgetting about its focal point: the musical. Therefore, one can easily observe the ambition of the naïve freshman, the nervousness of the students who audition for the Dorothy part and the interior conflict of the boy whose parents defy his need to act.

In spite of the fact that members of the theater department are mostly white and the musical was initially intended to consist of black actors, the kids prove maturity in their dealing with these racial problems and manage to make it to the opening night.

The special concentrates on power and will rather than teenage issues and love stories, but such elements do appear nonetheless in order to spice things up a bit.