In a whimsical twist on the beloved "Pokémon" universe, "Balls: The Monster-Catchin' Musical Comedy" offers a fresh, humorous take on the classic quest to catch them all. This musical parody swaps out Pokémon for Collectabuddies and introduces a cast of quirky characters, including "The Professor" and "The Rival," who are inspired by the original series' Professor Oak and Gary Oak.
Created by childhood friends Brandon Zelman and Harrison Bryan, the show follows an 11-year-old boy on his journey to collect all 151 Collectabuddies. Along the way, he encounters a series of musical numbers, soul-searching moments, and 40 DIY puppets that bring the world to life in a unique and entertaining way.
"Balls" began as a Kickstarter project, aiming to produce a low-budget proof-of-concept. The initial run was a resounding success, with three sold-out shows at Caveat NYC. The momentum continued, leading to an upcoming panel at New York Comic-Con. The event will feature Veronica Taylor, the original voice actor for Ash Ketchum, adding a nostalgic touch for fans.
Stuart Zagnit, who voiced Professor Oak in the English version of "Pokémon," will star as "The Professor" in "Balls," further enhancing the connection to the original series. Zelman, an actor and Upright Citizens Brigade alum, and Bryan, an actor, singer, and puppeteer, have crafted a show that blends various artistic elements, from visual art and puppetry to music and improv.
"We always wrote together, and we thought it would be fun to build something in someone else’s sandbox," Zelman explains. "Take something that felt familiar and nostalgic and build something completely new out of it."
Bryan, who plays the villainous Warlordturtle—a spoof on Wartortle mixed with a gun-toting extremist—adds, "Whether you’re a fan of visual art, puppetry, music, improv, gaming, or anime, we’re really trying to have them all speak to each other, and we’ve had such a fun, wild ride attempting to do that."
Stuart Zagnit's journey to "Balls" defies expectations
Best known as Professor Oak's voice in Pokémon's animated realm
He initially wasn't part of this raucous stage production's cast
A last-minute actor departure created an unexpected helm
Creators Zelman and Bryan took a chance with their invitation
Zagnit shocked everyone by embracing this wild deviation
His dual worlds collide spectacularly within the show's design
Musical theater prowess meets anime legacy in one space
"Many theater peers never knew my anime ties align
While anime fans missed my Broadway background's trace
This absurd fusion creates something hysterically fine
A once-in-a-lifetime professional embrace"
The parody thrives through clever omission and suggestion
Never uttering "Pokémon" despite obvious inspiration
"We nestle safely within satire law's protection
Like 'Puffs' did with Potter through playful transformation"
Original lore replaces direct corporate connection
151 rebellious "Collectabuddies" spark the confrontation
Rising against human trainers fuels the plot's direction
Parody creatures mirror familiar creatures with flair
WarlordTurtle's aide Spittle mocks water-type beginnings
Useless Splishy parallels a floppy fish's despair
Beer-guzzling Canaconda twists Ekans' slithery innings
Even Farfetch'd finds love as onion-obsessed Fat'Chance there
Their rebellion anthem culminates in crude display
A "Collectarap" finale names all 151 in crude array
Proving this parody counts every creature in its play
Audiences grasp the reference without explanation
"The genius lies in what remains unspoken
Our parallel universe invites joyful participation
Where satire's power stays thoroughly unbroken"
Zagnit and Attridge lead the six-person cast, with Attridge playing a self-proclaimed "piece of shit" rival. Her standout musical number is a rap fittingly titled “Piece of Shit.” Zagnit and Attridge join forces for a mix of humorous songs and poignant ballads. The show wouldn't be complete without a creature battle, which they perform in the finale. Alongside Bryan, they improvise a one-on-one showdown using audience suggestions. While Zagnit and Attridge create their collectabuddies' attack moves on the spot, Bryan's WarlordTurtle opts for water gun-based attacks that drench the front row.
Following the New York Comic-Con panel on October 10, there will be another opportunity to catch "Balls" at Caveat NYC on October 17. Initially funded through Kickstarter, the future holds many possibilities for this musical comedy.
"We have an ever-expanding universe here at 'Balls,'" says Zelman. "We have 151 original collectabuddies and a robust musical that we want to share with more people. I envision a full, expanded universe that we've only just begun to explore. How can we transform this into a permanent show? Or a pop-up performance that we can take around the world? I have big dreams for what’s ahead."
Attridge adds, "With more funding, we could integrate more video game elements. Imagine a theater with screens on the floors, ceilings, TVs, and animatronics. What if we had more crew members to handle set changes? And what about evolving merch? A full trading card game? If the show gets licensed, it could be performed at colleges or high schools, bringing together gamer kids and theater kids. They could form a powerful alliance and take over the town. That would be something to see!"
The panel for "Balls: The Monster-Catching Musical Comedy" is scheduled for Friday, October 10, at 8:30 p.m. at the Javitz Center during New York Comic-Con. A follow-up performance will take place at Caveat NYC on Friday, October 17, at 6:30 p.m.
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