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Team StarKid: The Space Tour
During the month of November, an acting and singing troupe known as “Team StarKid” toured all over the United States. For those who haven’t heard of StarKid, they are students from the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theater and Dance who describe themselves on their website as a team of “writers, actors, designers, producers and other goof-offs.” In April 2009, with a budget of only $150, StarKid created the original score and script for A Very Potter Musical. The musical is basically a Broadway-style compilation of the Harry Potter novels, and all of the characters are hilariously over the top. For example, Darren Criss, who is currently starring on FOX's "Glee," played Harry Potter. Criss’ version of Potter is endearingly self-absorbed, but would do anything to protect his friends and his popularity. After performing the show for family and friends, Brian Holden, Nick Lang and Matt Lang posted a video recording of A Very Potter Musical on YouTube, and the video went viral almost overnight. To date, all of the StarKid productions on Youtube collectively have more than 100 million views. There is a sequel to A Very Potter Musical called A Very Potter Sequel, and there is rumored talk of a third installment in the series. The most recent production of Team StarKid is called Starship. The story is set in the future, and the main character Bug, played by Joey Richter, longs to be a Starship Ranger. Bug is a giant insect, but he visits the wreckage of a Starship Ranger ship and dreams of meeting the humans. His wish is soon to be granted, and totally awesome adventure ensues! Starship is also a musical, and you can find it on YouTube and on Team StarKid’s website. Team StarKid’s tour is called “The Space Tour.” The tour started on Nov. 4, and the cast traveled to 15 different cities, including Atlanta where they played at Centerstage. Due to "Glee" filming, Darren Criss was only able to join the tour for two sold out show dates at Irving Plaza in New York. I was fortunate enough to get a chance to go see Team StarKid in Atlanta on Nov. 15. The doors for the show opened at 7 p.m, but when we got there at 6, the line was already out the door! The show lasted for about two-and-a-half hours with an intermission between Charlene Keye’s opening act and Team Starkid. The cast in Atlanta included Jaime Lyn Beatty, Brian Holden, Lauren Lopez, Joey Richter, Dylan Saunders, Meredith Stepien and Joe Walker. The cast was high energy and the choreography was awesome – there was not a dull moment in the show! My favorite song was Joey Richter and Lauren Lopez's duet "Granger Danger" as Ron Weasley and Draco Malfoy. Afterward, the cast came out to the front of Centerstage to sign autographs, crack jokes, and take pictures with fans. Around midnight, they headed out in Greyhounds to get to their show the next day in Orlando. Even though I was too starstruck to say anything but “Can I have your autograph?” I am so glad to have met the cast and enjoyed their show! Check for updates on Team Starkid’s website: http://www.teamstarkid.com/index.html.
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