"Starship" Musical Review

"Starship" album cover.

Another musical from the wonderful and talented bunch of Starkid Productions. For the first time in my life, I wish I lived in Chicago. This musical is called "Starship" and was written by Matt Lang, Nick Lang, Brian Holden, and Joseph Walker.

"Starship" poster.

"Starship" centers around the life of Bug, an unusual bug who lives in a hive where everybody is given a job that is decided by the Overqueen of the hive and they have to do their job for the good of the hive. Bug wishes more than anything to become a nobel Starship Ranger. The Overqueen places him in the Hatchery, where he shoves eggs in living mammals chests. Through luck (or is it?) Bug finds an unconscious Starship Ranger named February in the Hatchery and proceeds to help her find her way back to her spaceship. Bug is almost killed for his betrayal of the hive's safety for letting the ranger go, but his friend Roach, who happens to be the Overqueen's new lover, saves him.

Joey Richter (R) and
Dylan Saunders kick it up a notch.

A bug named Pincer that happens to live on the same planet as the hive hears of Bug's plight and wishes to help him find a way to bring the humans back to the planet, surely just out of the kindness of his heart and not out of the groaning of his stomach for human brains. Then Bug is given a human body which he can control psychically. Bug joins the humans on their ship and all sorts of shenanigans happen henceforth.

Brant Cox as Roach.

I'm sorry, I can't put anymore than that without ruining the story for everybody, but you get the idea. Lots of love and acceptance and overcoming the evils of an intergalactic force. Oh...did I mention there's puppets? Yeah, it's pretty awesome!

From left to right: Joe Moses, Lauren Lopez,
Joseph Walker, Dylan Saunders, and Julia Albain.

The story took up a lot of time on this musical. But it was a remarkable and very humorous production. I would've gladly shelled out money to watch this live, although the quality of the Youtube videos simply can't be beat. The bad guys were fantastically evil. I loved the rip on "That G. L. E. E.! Always making crazy adaptations of everything!"



There wasn't as much singing in this one (there was a lot of story to go through). But what was there was excellent! Particularly, "Kick It Up A Notch" sung by Dylan Saunders, Brian Holden, and Jaime-Lyn Beatty. "I Wanna Be" was a great way to open the show. "Hideous Creatures" was a funny way of showing how both species view each other. "Beauty" was wonderful and reminded me a lot of Disney's "The Lion King".

Lauren Lopez on Joseph Walker.

The actors were the usual suspects: Joey Richter as Bug, Denise Donovan as February, Dylan Saunders as Pincer and Tootsie-Noodles, Lauren Lopez as ass-kicking Taz and lovesick Bugette, Brian Holden as Junior, and Joseph Walker as Up, Brant Cox as Roach, and Megan Stephlen as Mega-Girl. The musical also starred Julia Albain, Joe Moses, Jim Povolo, and Jamie-Lyn Beatty.

I gave this show a 4.5 out of 5. I would've liked more singing, but that would've made the show way too long so understandably they put humor instead. I liked this one a lot.

Here is a link to the show: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC6A915952D67F112&feature=plcp

And you can buy the songs at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/starship/id434681556

"Me and My Dick" Musical Review

*WARNING: Strong and crude language. Not for the faint of heart. Avert your eyes.*

Brian Holden (L) and Nicholas
Joseph Strauss Matathia.

"Me and My Dick" album cover.

"Me and My Dick" was written by Matt Lang, Nick Lang, Eric Kahn Gale, and Brian Holden with music by A. J. Holmes and Darren Criss. I wasn't sure if I would actually watch this one because of its title. I can't believe someone could actually write a musical based on their dick experiences. I'm glad Freud isn't still around because he would possibly make these people certifiably insane. Although maybe he would enjoy it.... Hard to tell.

Devin Lytle as
Ms. Cooter

Anyway, I really enjoyed this musical. I cringed through the first scene because I honestly didn't know what to expect. I had expectations of people singing, but not a singing dick. That's literally the character's name: Dick. He's (it's?) played by Joseph Walker. The first scene also introduces us to a character named Joey Richter, played by Joey Richter, who owns Dick the way most men usually own their dicks, although his tends to get him in trouble. Both of these characters seek to get laid with the popular girl at school. They might also like to fall in love. Meanwhile, their next door neighbor already loves him but they don't like her because she's a bit geeky. So, the usual love story but with penises and va-ja-jas that sing.

Brian Holden as Flopsy

It wasn't until I got to the second scene that I decided to continue watching it. The deciding factor was Ms. Cooter, played by the talented Devin Lytle. I loved her character. I especially loved Nicholas Joseph (*breathe*) Strauss Matathia's character The Old Snatch. It feels a bit unusual to say that my two favorite characters are dancing and singing pussies. I'm not sure if that makes me sexist or a lesbian or both. (I just want to state right here that I am not a lesbian. Not that there is anything wrong with that.....) And Brian Holden was fabulous as Flopsy.

About the music: The music was quite good. It's obvious that Starkid Productions hold themselves to high standards. The first song is "Me and My Dick" and it's catchy while also explaining the musical's story line. "I've Seen You Around Here Before" is a beautiful love song and has a hilarious reprise in another scene featuring Flopsy, Flopsy being the vagina of the pretty and popular girl. "Listen to Your Heart" and "Gotta Find His Dick" were funny and energizing. "Flight of the Pussies" was grand!

Joseph Walker as Dick (L) and Joey Richter as himself.

I give this musical 4 of 5 stars because of its originality, creativity, and humor. Watch it for yourself here: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF0D250702C0684CD&feature=plcp

And buy their music at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/me-and-my-dick-a-new-musical/id349723312