The popular Pokémon parody musical, BALLS: The Monster-Catchin’ Musical Comédy, is now available for online viewing. Originally a stage production in New York City, the show has been adapted into a digital format, allowing audiences worldwide to experience its unique take on the beloved franchise. The creators aimed to make the show accessible while respecting intellectual property by creatively censoring direct references to Pokémon.
Stuart Zagnit, the original voice actor for Professor Oak, reprises his role in the musical. Additionally, the digital version features Veronica Taylor, the original voice of Ash Ketchum, as a character referred to as the "10-year-old kid." Director and co-writer Brandon Zelman explained that avoiding direct mentions of Pokémon was a significant challenge but also an opportunity to enhance the show's comedic spirit and allow for seamless editing of performances.
The online release is a "bootleg" version, meticulously edited by Zelman from over a dozen hours of footage captured across six months and from ten different performances. This approach, born partly from the production's limited budget, embraces a "Frankensteined" aesthetic that Zelman feels complements the show's chaotic nature. The team incorporated footage filmed with the theater's built-in cameras as well as footage provided by audience members to capture the immersive experience of attending the show live.
Zelman described the editing process, which involved synchronizing and mixing a vast amount of audio and visual material, as a monumental task undertaken with sound editor Kurt Cruz. He also noted the addition of hundreds of hand-drawn animations, cartoons, special effects, VHS artifacts, and low-poly pixel monsters to give the digital version a unique visual flair distinct from the stage production. These additions were intended to provide viewers with an experience they could not get in a live theater setting.
The team behind BALLS has further plans for the musical, including the release of a live album in the new year. They are also open to the possibility of a professional studio recording in the future, should funding become available. For now, the digital release marks a significant step in making the show accessible to a broader audience.