Team Starkid | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Arts Entertainment

Starkid Productions: The Musical Making Geniuses You’ve Been Sleeping On

"I don't really wanna do the work today. I don't really wanna do the work today..."

355
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmVuNlu0LCk

Team Starkid. Sounds familiar? For a lot of you, it's probably not a name that you've heard before but I bet you've probably seen them on the Internet. You'd probably recognize them form various Vines and memes such as the "I don't really wanna do the work today" Vine and various gifs or Darren Criss looking like Harry Potter. Well, the background for all of those is Starkid, a group of writers, directors, actors, and designers who met at the University of Michigan in 2009 and came together to find new ways to produce theater.


www.youtube.com


Think the "Harry Potter and The Cursed Child" play is amazing? Team Starkid released "A Very Potter Musical" (AVPM) on YouTube back in 2009. As a 13-year-old "Harry Potter" fan and musical lover, this was a jackpot find. This musical features pre-Emmy Award-winning Darren Criss as Harry Potter, in addition to Joey Richter as Ron Weasley and Lauren Lopez (yes a girl) as Draco Malfoy. The musical is so creative, so witty, and plays on some of the ridiculous characteristics of the book and movies. For example, Professor Snape has an absurd and over exaggerated way of speaking to mock the way Alan Rickman portrayed the character and Professor Quirrell and Voldemort are literally two men under one costume and even sing a song about how different they are but how they come together with their love of the idea of killing Harry Potter. It's so silly, yet a piece of great creativity for college students. This musical had so much success on YouTube that Starkid has created "A Very Potter Sequel" (AVPS) and "A Very Potter Senior Year" (AVPSY) which was performed live at the Harry Potter Convention and LeakyCon and both performances can be found on YouTube.

Although the Harry Potter Musical series may be the performances that Team Starkid is most famous for, if you're not a HP fan, don't worry! They have created eight other amazing musicals where at least one will catch your eye.

Are you a superhero fan? Then have no fear! "Holy Musical B@Man" tells the story of how Batman is at a slump in his lonely life until he finally finds a friend in Dick Grayson, aka Robin. This musical starts with the apparent death of the Joker and takes you on a thrilling adventure of making lifelong friendships and trying to defeat Sweet Tooth, the new candy-themed criminal in town.

Love Disney and the musical "Wicked?" Well, with a play on that musical and the movie "Aladdin," Team Starkid has released a musical called "Twisted" that features the untold story of Jafar.

Did that "I don't really wanna do the work today" Vine tickle your fancy? Well, that scene actually comes from their musical called "Firebringer," a story of cavemen and women trying to overcome the many challenges of prehistoric times.

Not only has Team Starkid produced some great musicals, but it has also produced some great people and has acted as a springboard for these people to climb higher into the entertainment industry. Most notably, Darren Criss got his start on Team Starkid and is still very close with the team. After playing Harry in the AVP series, he's gone on to host the 2013 Teen Choice Awards, have the lead role in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" and "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," in addition to playing Blaine Anderson in "Glee" and Andrew Cunanan in "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story," a role that he received a Golden Globe for.

In addition to Darren, A.J. Holmes who has played Gilderoy in AVPSY and has written countless songs for Starkid is also known for playing Elder Cunningham in "The Book of Mormon" on Broadway, the US tour, the West End, Melbourne, and Sydney. Britney Coleman who played Bellatrix in AVPM has also been on Broadway performing in the cast of the musicals "Sunset Boulevard" and "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical." If you watch "The Flash," the actor that plays Cisco Ramon, Carlos Valdes has co-written and played the bass for multiple Starkid Musicals. Joey Richter has also made a cameo on "Glee" and has actually acted as Officer Petey on the Disney Channel show, "Jessie."

If you aren't convinced by now that Team Starkid is special and is a legit group, then don't take my word for it. I won't be offended! Instead, check out their channel on YouTube and see for yourself! I promise "It's gonna be totally awesome!"

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

189825
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

14668
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

457662
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26525
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments