StarKid Productions
Founded2009 (2009)
FoundersDarren Criss
Brian Holden
Matt Lang
Nick Lang
TypeTheatrical productions
Location
AffiliationsUniversity of Michigan
Basement Arts
Websiteteamstarkid.com

StarKid Productions, also known as Team StarKid, is an American musical theatre company founded in 2009 at the University of Michigan by Darren Criss, Brian Holden, Matt Lang, and Nick Lang. Originally known for the viral success of their first musical, A Very Potter Musical, a parody of the Harry Potter series, the troupe primarily produces musical comedies inspired by pop culture, with original scripts, songs, and music. StarKid distributes their musicals for free on YouTube, with recent projects being funded by Kickstarter and physical ticket sales.

Since the success of A Very Potter Musical, the group has produced thirteen stage musicals (including two Potter sequels), three national tours, two reunion concert specials, three sketch comedy shows, and three web series.

As of 2023, the company has charted 13 albums in the top 10 on Billboard charts.[1] The cast recording of Me and My Dick debuted at number 11 on the US Cast Albums chart in 2010, becoming the first student-produced musical recording to chart on Billboard. The following year they landed at number one on the same chart with the cast recording of Starship, a feat that has since been repeated with their 2019 musical Black Friday, and their 2023 musical Nerdy Prudes Must Die.

History

StarKid Productions is composed of actors, writers, directors, composers, choreographers, and designers, most of them originating from the University of Michigan's School of Music, Theater and Dance. The members met while collaborating on plays through Basement Arts, the university's student-run theater organization.

In April 2009, the students staged a musical parody of the Harry Potter series entitled A Very Potter Musical.[2] The video of the play went viral on the Internet, garnering StarKid a worldwide fanbase.[2] Inspired by the viral nature of the video, StarKid Productions was formed, named after a quote from A Very Potter Musical. Later, two sequels were performed and released on YouTube, A Very Potter Sequel in 2010 and A Very Potter Senior Year in 2012.[3][4]

The Team StarKid YouTube channel was created on June 19, 2009.[5] As of January 2023, the channel has over 760,000 subscribers and over 324,000,000 combined views.[5] Aside from the viral Harry Potter adaptions, Team StarKid has produced a number of other musical theatre parody shows, creating both original stories and pop culture-based parodies of Disney, DC Comics, Star Wars and The Oregon Trail.

StarKid and its members are associated with various other theater groups, most notably Tin Can Brothers (creators of Spies Are Forever) and Shipwrecked Comedy.

Team Starkid has had two major moves since its founding in 2009. The first was to Chicago after the founders graduated from The University of Michigan. Several shows were performed in Chicago before most of the company's members moved once again, this time to Los Angeles.

Musical theatre productions

Production Dates Location Music & Lyrics Book Notes
A Very Potter Musical April 9–11, 2009 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI Darren Criss, A. J. Holmes[6] Brian Holden, Matt Lang, Nick Lang Based on the Harry Potter series
Me and My Dick October 29–31, 2009 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI Darren Criss, A. J. Holmes, Carlos Valdes Eric Kahn Gale, Brian Holden, Matt Lang, Nick Lang
A Very Potter Sequel May 14–16, 2010 University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI Darren Criss Brian Holden, Matt Lang, Nick Lang Based on the Harry Potter series; sequel to A Very Potter Musical
Starship February 11–23, 2011 Hoover-Leppen Theatre, Chicago, IL Darren Criss Brian Holden, Matt Lang, Nick Lang, Joe Walker Inspired by Starship Troopers and The Little Mermaid
Holy Musical B@man! March 22–25, 2012 Hoover-Leppen Theatre, Chicago, IL Nick Gage, Scott Lamps Matt Lang, Nick Lang Based on the DC Comics universe
A Very Potter Senior Year August 11, 2012 LeakyCon, Chicago, IL Clark Baxtresser, Darren Criss, A. J. Holmes, Pierce Siebers Brian Holden, Matt Lang, Nick Lang Based on the Harry Potter series; sequel to A Very Potter Musical; staged reading rather than a full production
Twisted: The Untold Story of a Royal Vizier July 4–28, 2013 Greenhouse Theatre, Chicago, IL A. J. Holmes, Kaley McMahon[7] Eric Kahn Gale, Matt Lang, Nick Lang[7] Based on the 1992 Disney film Aladdin and One Thousand and One Nights, as well as the musical Wicked[7]
Ani: A Parody July 3 – August 10, 2014 Stage 773, Chicago, IL Clark Baxtresser, Pierce Siebers Matt Lang, Nick Lang Based on the Star Wars series
The Trail to Oregon! July 3 – August 10, 2014 Stage 773, Chicago, IL Jeff Blim, Drew De Four Jeff Blim, Matt Lang, Nick Lang Based on The Oregon Trail video game series
Firebringer July 6 – August 7, 2016 Stage 773, Chicago, IL[8] Meredith Stepien, Mark Swiderski Brian Holden, Matt Lang, Nick Lang, Meredith Stepien
The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals October 11 – November 4, 2018 The Matrix Theatre, Los Angeles, CA Jeff Blim Matt Lang, Nick Lang The first installment of the Hatchetfield Saga
Black Friday October 31 – December 8, 2019 Hudson Mainstage Theatre, Los Angeles, CA Jeff Blim Matt Lang, Nick Lang The second installment of the Hatchetfield Saga
A VHS Christmas Carol December 11–13, 2020 Looped Clark Baxtresser[9] Clark Baxtresser Based on A Christmas Carol[9]
VHS Christmas Carol Live! December 9–11, 2021 The Bourbon Room, Los Angeles, CA Clark Baxtresser Clark Baxtresser A staged version of the 2020 live-streamed production
Nerdy Prudes Must Die[10] February 16–25, 2023[11] El Portal Theater, Los Angeles, CA[12] Jeff Blim Matt Lang, Nick Lang The third installment of the Hatchetfield Saga
VHS Christmas Carols November 17–19, 2023 Apollo Theater Chicago Clark Baxtresser Clark Baxtresser A trilogy version of the 2020 live-streamed production. Based on The Gift of the Magi, The Little Matchstick Girl, and A Christmas Carol

Team StarKid produced a sequel to their 2011 musical Starship called Starship: Requiem that was performed on August 2, 2014 at LeakyCon in Orlando, FL. However, it was a one-time "theatrical reading" and, as such, Team StarKid does not include it in their musical canon.[13] The story followed the adventures of the android Mega-Girl and her half-witted Starship Ranger husband, Tootsie Noodles, as the newlyweds go to visit Mega-Girl's human-hating family.[14]

Concerts and tours

  • The SPACE Tour (2011) — North American concert tour with 21 stops in 15 cities. "SPACE" in the tour title stands for StarKid Precarious Auditory Concert Experience.[15]
  • Apocalyptour (2012) — North American concert tour with 24 stops in 21 cities. The tour title is a reference to the 2012 phenomenon.[16]
  • A Very StarKid Reunion (2015) — Reunion concert performed in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater, and Dance.[17]
  • StarKid Homecoming (2019) — Reunion concert held at the Theater at the Ace on July 25–26, 2019.[18]
  • The Jangle Ball Tour (2022) — North American concert tour with 8 stops in 7 cities from December 2 to December 17, 2022.

Sketch comedy productions

  • Airport for Birds: January–March 2013, Chicago, IL. StarKid Productions teamed up with The Second City to produce their first sketch comedy show. The show was produced at the UP Comedy Club.
  • 1Night 2Last 3Ever: September–November 2013, Chicago, IL. StarKid Productions second sketch comedy show with The Second City. The show was produced at the UP Comedy Club. The show was a parody of various pieces of 1990s pop culture centering on the exploits of a fictional boy band, 3Ever.
  • Yes, I am Afraid of the Dark!: September–October 2015, Chicago, IL. StarKid Productions first improv comedy show with iO Chicago and was produced at the iO Theater. The show was a parody of the 1990s children show Are You Afraid of the Dark? with the cast creating an entire episode based on audience suggestion.

Web series

Little White Lie

In 2007, members including Matt Lang, Nick Lang, Eric Kahn Gale, Brian Holden, Darren Criss, Lauren Lopez, Elona Finlay, Chris Allen, Meredith Stepien, and Jim Povolo produced an online video series called Little White Lie. It was released in 2009 on StarKid's YouTube channel.[19] Despite the series ending in a cliffhanger, StarKid members have confirmed at various events that there will be no season 2, as it was an expensive production and the actors who took part in it are scattered all over the country. However, Eric Kahn Gale, one of the writers for the show, stated that he would write and publish a synopsis of season 2, which was released on September 3, 2013 on his Tumblr page.[20]

Movies, Musicals, and Me

In October 2017, StarKid debuted its second web series on YouTube, Movies, Musicals, and Me. The series takes place in an alternate world where every popular movie ever has been adapted into a Broadway musical. The best of these musicals all star the same man, Halpert Evans, a vain and pompous, though brilliant, actor. The series is structured as a mocumentary of Evans, chronicling the most significant musical roles of his career, along with commentary from various colleagues in Halpert's line of work. The series introduces StarKid newcomers Esther Fallick as Halpert Evans and Mary Kate Wiles as Judy Davendale. Joey Richter, Nick Lang, Brian Holden, Dylan Saunders, Lauren Lopez, Jaime Lyn Beatty, Corey Dorris, and Clark Baxtresser also star.

Nightmare Time

On October 1, 2020, StarKid announced a new three-episode horror anthology series set in the world of The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals and Black Friday.[21] It featured six stories read by the cast of the shows. Performances took place virtually on October 10, 17, and 24, 2020. In August 2021 a second season was announced.[22][23] A cast recording was released on February 8, 2021.[24]

The next year, StarKid later livestreamed Nightmare Time 2, the second season of the series. Four performances took place virtually on October 23 & 30 and November 6 & 13, 2021. The entire cast from the first season returned with the exceptions of Robert Manion & Kendall Nicole. The series was also the StarKid debut of Bryce Charles and Jae Hughes.[25] The episodes were released weekly on StarKid's YouTube channel between May 20, 2022 and June 10, 2022.[26]

Soundtrack albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions Notes
US US
Cast		 US
Comedy		 US
Comp.		 US
Indie
Little White Lie[27]
  • Released: June 30, 2009
  • Formats: Download
 —————
A Very Potter Musical[27]
  • Released: September 9, 2009
  • Formats: Download
 ————— Made only available for free on Bandcamp, therefore not eligible for Billboard chart listings.
Me and My Dick (A New Musical)[27][28][29]
  • Released: January 6, 2010
  • Formats: Download
 —11[30]———
A Very StarKid Album[29]
  • Released: July 22, 2010
  • Formats: Download
 ———18[31]—
A Very Potter Sequel[27]
  • Released: July 31, 2010
  • Formats: Download
 ————— Made only available for free on Bandcamp, therefore not eligible for Billboard chart listings.
Starship (Original Soundtrack) 134[32]1[33]——25[34]
The SPACE Tour[35]
  • Released: March 13, 2012
  • Formats: Download, Compact disc
 —[lower-alpha 1][36]2[37]——39[38]
That's What I Call StarKid!, Vol. 2
  • Released: April 13, 2012
  • Formats: Download
 —12[39]—24[40]—
Holy Musical B@man!
  • Released: April 13, 2012
  • Formats: Download
 ————— Made only available for free on Bandcamp, therefore not eligible for Billboard chart listings.
Apocalyptour: Live Album[41]
  • Released: October 2, 2012
  • Formats: Download, Compact disc
 —3[42]———
A Very StarKid Senior Year (A Very Potter Senior Year)
  • Released: December 15, 2012
  • Formats: Download
 ————— Made only available via the official StarKid store, therefore not eligible for Billboard chart listings.
Twisted (Original Chicago Cast Recording)
  • Released: November 28, 2013
  • Formats: Download
 —12[43]———
Twisted: Twisted
  • Released: December 4, 2013
  • Formats: Download
 ————— A remix album featuring reworked versions songs from the musical Twisted as well as original demos.
Ani: A Parody
  • Released: October 31, 2014
  • Formats: Download
 —13[44]4[45]——
The Trail to Oregon!
  • Released: February 13, 2015
  • Formats: Download
 —10[46]———
Firebringer (Original Cast Recording)
  • Released: November 22, 2016
  • Formats: Download
 —10[47]———
The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals
  • Released: December 24, 2018
  • Formats: Download
 —6[48]———
StarKid Homecoming: Vol. 1 (Live)
  • Released: December 18, 2019
  • Formats: Download
 —————
StarKid Homecoming: Vol. 2 (Live)
  • Released: December 18, 2019
  • Formats: Download
 —————
Black Friday
  • Released: February 28, 2020
  • Formats: Download
 —[lower-alpha 2][49]1[50]———
A VHS Christmas Carol
  • Released: December 14, 2020
  • Formats: Download
 —————
Nightmare Time
  • Released: February 8, 2021
  • Formats: Download
 —————
Nightmare Time 2, Vol. 1
  • Released: October 23, 2021
  • Formats: Download
 —————
Nightmare Time 2, Vol. 2
  • Released: October 30, 2021
  • Formats: Download
 —————
Nightmare Time 2, Vol. 3
  • Released: November 6, 2021
  • Formats: Download
 —————
Nightmare Time 2, Vol. 4
  • Released: November 13, 2021
  • Formats: Download
 —————
Nerdy Prudes Must Die
  • Released: September 15, 2023
  • Formats: Download
 —1[51]——

Notes

  1. ↑ "The SPACE Tour" did not enter the Billboard 200 but did enter the Top Current Albums component chart at number 182
  2. ↑ "Black Friday" did not enter the Billboard 200 but did enter the Top Album Sales component chart at number 58.

References

  1. ↑ Caulfield, Keith (September 26, 2023). "StarKid, Captain America & 'Oklahoma!' Meet Atop Billboard's Cast Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  2. 1 2 "The Original StarKid On Fame And His Traverse City Roots". The Ticker | Traverse City News & Events. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Team StarKid". StarKid Productions. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  4. ↑ Borrelli, Christopher (November 1, 2011). "What exactly is Team StarKid?". Chicago Tribune. Bruce Dold. Archived from the original on September 29, 2013. Retrieved December 18, 2011.
  5. 1 2 "Team StarKid - YouTube". YouTube.
  6. ↑ "Broadway's A.J. Holmes to Perform Solo Musical, Yeah, But Not Right Now Off-Broadway | TheaterMania". www.theatermania.com. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 "A Whole New Musical: StarKid Set to Make 54 Below Debut with Hit Aladdin Parody Twisted". Broadway.com. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  8. ↑ "StarKid Productions will bring new musical to Stage 773 this summer". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  9. 1 2 "Team StarKid's 'A VHS Christmas Carol' and Tin Can Bros' 'Wayward Guide' are a pair of holiday treats!". Hypable. December 22, 2020. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Coming 2023... NERDY PRUDES MUST DIE!". YouTube. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Nerdy Prudes Must Die". StarKid Productions. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  12. ↑ "The El Portal Theatre l Nerdy Prudes Must Die". elportaltheatre.com. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  13. ↑ LeakyCon [@LeakyCon] (March 31, 2014). "ANNOUNCING! @TeamStarKid will perform at theatrical reading of "STARSHIP: REQUIEM" http://www.leakycon.com/?p=8224" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  14. ↑ Jordan. ""Starship: Requiem" to be Performed at LeakyCon 2014". LeakyCon. Tumblr. Archived from the original on April 7, 2014. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  15. ↑ Bacalzo, Dan (October 12, 2011). "Team StarKid Adds Dates for The Space Tour". TheaterMania. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  16. ↑ "Apocalyptour". December 4, 2013. Archived from the original on December 4, 2013. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  17. ↑ Fisher, Natalie (December 6, 2015). "'A Very StarKid Reunion' is a nostalgic must-have for fans". Hypable. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  18. ↑ "StarKid Homecoming". StarKid Productions. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  19. ↑ Team StarKid (July 11, 2009). "StarKid Introduces: Little White Lie". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2012.
  20. ↑ Gale, Eric Kahn (September 3, 2013). "Little White Lie Season 2 Synopsis". Tumblr. Archived from the original on September 30, 2013. Retrieved September 4, 2013.
  21. ↑ "From stage to screen: Putting life back into virtual theater - The Arizona State Press". www.statepress.com. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Nightmare Time".
  23. ↑ "Nightmare Time (Web Video)". TV Tropes. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Nightmare Time (Original StarKid Cast Recording) by Original StarKid Cast of Nightmare Time on iTunes". February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  25. ↑ "Nightmare Time 2 -- StarKid Productions". Retrieved January 31, 2022.
  26. ↑ "NIGHTMARE TIME 2 (YouTube Trailer)". YouTube. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  27. 1 2 3 4 Austrone, Xavier (November 22, 2010). "StarKid Interview: Starship Coverage & A VERY POTTER THREEQUEL!?". Wizarding Life. Archived from the original on August 4, 2011. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
  28. ↑ Caulfield, Keith (March 18, 2010). "'My Dick' Rises to Become First Charting Student Musical". Billboard. Lynne Segall. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  29. 1 2 Milam, Whitney (July 24, 2010). "A Very Potter Musical's Team StarKid Premieres Sequel, Tops Glee and Gaga on iTunes, and Talks Future Projects". HollywoodNews.com. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  30. ↑ "Cast Albums - March 27, 2010". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Compilation Albums - August 14, 2010". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  32. ↑ "Billboard 200 - May 14, 2011". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  33. ↑ "Cast Albums - May 14, 2011". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  34. ↑ "Independent Albums - May 14, 2011". Billboard. January 2, 2013. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  35. ↑ Caulfield, Keith (March 22, 2012). "StarKid's 'Space' Sets Sail, Debuts at No. 2 on Cast Albums Chart". Billboard. Lynne Segall. Retrieved March 23, 2012.
  36. ↑ "Top Current Albums: March 31, 2011". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  37. ↑ "Cast Albums - March 31, 2011". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  38. ↑ "Independent Albums - March 31, 2011". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  39. ↑ "Cast Albums - May 5, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  40. ↑ "Compilation Albums - May 5, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  41. ↑ "Apocalyptour". StarKid Productions. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  42. ↑ "Cast Albums - October 20, 2012". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  43. ↑ "Cast Albums - December 21, 2013". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  44. ↑ "Cast Albums - November 22, 2014". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  45. ↑ "Comedy Albums - November 22, 2014". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  46. ↑ "Cast Albums - February 28, 2015". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  47. ↑ "Cast Albums - January 21, 2017". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  48. ↑ "Cast Albums - January 12, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  49. ↑ "Top Album Sales: March 14, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  50. ↑ "Cast Albums: March 14, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  51. ↑ "Cast Albums: September 24, 2023". Billboard. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
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