Written By: Alina Gomez
MUSICALS: A production group known as Team StarKid is changing the future of musical theater with its out of the box shows!
“The wait is over!” StarKid productions, a group of college students from the University of Michigan were the beginners of musical history. Darren Criss, Nick Lang, Matt Lang, and Brian Holden, the most known founders of this company, as well the playwrights of their first production, “A Very Potter Musical” (2009) A production of Harry Potter parodies were brought into the form of a musical that was followed along with sequels, just like the movies. These shows became a hit and are still beloved today. The silly inside jokes of the friend group found its way into the musical and were combined with the whimsical possibilities of the Harry Potter franchise. StarKid Productions, also known as Team StarKid, has put together thirteen productions on stage including two Very Potter sequels over the years. This group has gone on three national tours, sketch comedy shows, web series, as well reunion concert specials. Some actors from these musicals have even been seen on your favorite shows as a kid.
Disney’s original series ,“Jessie”, (2011) had Team StarKid member ,Joey Richter, playing the role of Petey the Cop. His first recognition was his role as Ronald Weasley in the Very Potter Musical, Richter played Ron vastly differently than he portrayed Petey the Cop. Ron was spunky and loving whereas Petey was a not so helpful silly goose.
Joey Richter played his role perfectly in Jessie and has always been a key character, in my book, for fitting his true theatrical personality into the cop he played.
The StarKid musicals seem to all be linked in some way. All these productions were written in different universes or times. The characters can be seen from different perspectives throughout the shows, like shown in, “The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals.” The character Emma Perkins, played by Lauren Lopez, an annoyed barista at the local coffee shop made another appearance in the show “Nerdy Prudes Must Die”, once again as the barista in the same coffee shop.
The group StarKid is very familiar with the word comedy. The shows consist of joking musical numbers to subtle banters, even switching up the roles when it comes to gender. In the parodies of Harry Potter, StarKid decided to write out the character of Draco Malfoy to be casted by a woman, of course that woman was Lauren Lopez. She played the character absolutely outstanding and hilarious, accentuating the character of Draco Malfoy to be a dramatic cry baby.
Throughout the sequels they even decide to make Professor Umbirdge, who is known to be a stern woman, to be played by Joseph Walker. Walker embraced the manly and intimidating personality that the original character displayed in the movies.
Joe Walker as Professor Umbridge
When the playwrights created these productions they were sure to keep the respect for the original material from books and movies while making it hilarious.
This group has and still continues to do a splendid job of comedy routines and shows that have become cult classics. When it first started their shows were made on low budgets, only running the show for a week and free admission. Now Team StarKid is well known within the theater community and continues to inspire young artists around the world. Hopefully this article has enticed you to follow this incredible production group. you have found out more about this incredible production group!
Check out their website: TEAM STARKID