'Rise' trailer news: First look at 'Moana' star Auli'i Cravalho in the new high school theater drama

"Rise" premieres on March 13, 2018. Twitter/Rise NBC

The first trailer for the upcoming NBC high school musical drama "Rise" is now out.

The teaser shows first glimpse of "Moana" star Auli'i Cravalho as student Lilette Suarez and "How I Met Your Mother" actor Josh Radnor as theater department's Lou Mazzuchelli.

While the upcoming show reminds viewers of the 2009–2015 Fox series "Glee," the difference in tonality is apparent. "Rise" deals with darker issues, although not less realistic.

As seen in the trailer, the drama will show how teens deal with peer pressure, along with that of school and extracurricular activities.

"Being a teenager is hard," the clip opens.

It will also tackle underage drinking and what happens to a teen caring for a sick parent.

The series is based on the book "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove. Inspired by a true story, the drama follows Lou, an English teacher whose leadership of the high school's lackluster theater department will result in a life-changing journey for seven teenagers, as well as everyone else involved.

"I had this vision that Staten High School could be different. I believe it can be," Radnor's Lou says in the video.

"Rise" shows Radnor totally shredding the marks left by his iconic character Ted Mosbey, while it also marks the live-action debut for 17-year-old Cravalho, who shot to fame after her stellar vocal performance for the 2016 animated film "Moana."

The series will also star Ellie Desautels as Michael Hallowell, Damon J. Gillespie as Robbie Thorne, Erin Kommor as Sasha, Shannon Purser as Annabelle, and more.

It is executive produced by Jason Katims from TV dramas "Friday Night Lights" and "Parenthood," as well as Jeffrey Seller from the Broadway hit "Hamilton."

"Rise" premieres its 10-episode run on March 13, Tuesday, at 10 p.m. EDT on NBC. The following weeks starting March 20 will place it on its regular programming every Tuesday at 9 p.m. EDT.

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