The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals

Last year Adelaide saw the SA Premiere of Twisted, the year before Firebringer and now another SA premiere, presented by Funk Soul Productions, The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals, all devised by Starkid Productions.

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, Nick Lang and Matt Lang.

Written by Nick & Matt Lang with music & lyrics by Jeff Blim, The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals is billed as a horror-comedy musical that could be a cross between It Came from Outer Space and Schmigadoon.

The plot is simple - everything in Hatchetfield seemed normal until people began singing... Then, they began dancing... And now, a musical pandemic is sweeping the entire city. It’s up to Paul (an average guy who doesn’t like musicals) and his friends to stop this musical apocalypse and fight for humanity’s future.

First time director Teagan Garvey has chosen a difficult genre. A mix of farce, slapstick, comedy and horror, it requires a firm vision and a talented cast. Garvey succeeds on every count as well as playing Professor Hidgens and credits for -  lighting design (along with Allycia Angeles & Adam Hawes), sound creation (along with Casey Mifsud & Jacob Altmann), set design/painting, costume design (with Gracie Greenrod).

This amount of involvement would challenge many experienced directors, Garvey seems to take it in his stride and has presented a tight, well-rehearsed production that targets the 20s and 30s age group judging by the enthusiastic reception of the piece on opening night.

For me, the highlight of the performance was Garvey’s ‘Show Stoppin’ Number’ as Professor Hidgen, amazing choreography and energy!

He is ably supported by Allycia Angeles’ clever choreography, perfectly suited to the actors’ capabilities and Immie Beattie’s musical direction, particularly the three-part ‘Andrews Sisters’ close harmonies.

Flynn Turley perfectly embodies the hapless hero Paul who hates musicals. With an air of a young John Cleese, he watches as his world falls around him forcing him to take control and save the world. He is a joy to watch. (A shorter haircut would alleviate the need for hairpins).

Anna Symonds gives Emma, the employee at Beanies Coffee House who doesn’t like singing, a mixture of fragility and power when needed. She is the ideal foil for Paul and their scenes together are totally believable.

Harry Liam’s Mr Davidson, Sam & General MacNamara are loud, physical and commanding. His ‘Show Me Your Hands’ is an audience favourite and a highlight of Act 1.

Neve Sargeant’s Charlotte, Nora & Deb all showcase her powerful singing voice and ability to rapidly change character.

Parisya Mosel’s Ted tells it like it like it is, however this does not always go the way he intends. He is the ultimate sleaze.

Samuel Cannizarro’s Bill is Paul’s high school friend and father of Alice. Cannizarro plays the role with simplicity and it works. He is the character we all feel sorry for, particularly his love for his daughter who he can’t save.

Immi Beattie as Greenpeace Girl, Zoey & Alice, and Gracie Greenrod as Melissa, Infected Teen & Colonel Schaeffer complete the cast along with swings Henry Cook & Amelia Baldock.

My only reservation with this show is the audibility of some of the performers. When singing top notes, they are clear, but their lower range lacks projection. This may be partially a balance issue, as there were a number of times when the backing tracks overwhelmed the vocals. Less dependence on miking and clearer projection would help to alleviate this problem.

Young people are the future of theatre and it is pleasing to see the amount of talent and dedication that has obviously gone into this production. It is a delight from start to finish!

Due to the strong language, adult themes, stylized violence and depiction of firearms, leave the kiddies at home and have the perfect adult night out.

The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals is refreshing, energetic, and a clever take on horror movies and musicals, don’t miss it!

Barry Hill OAM