By: James Manley
If your inner 10-year-old has been quietly waiting for a musical comedy that might just fuse monster-catching nostalgia, audience interaction, and chaotic theatrical ambition, it’s time to cue the 8-bit fanfare.
Enter BALLS: The Monster-Catchin’ Musical Comédy, a genre-smashing pop-up musical comedy event set to debut at Caveat NYC for an initial run. It’s a parody, it’s puppetry, it’s Pokémon-inspired madness with heart—and it’s already generating buzz in New York’s alt-theatre scene.
And yes, that is Stuart Zagnit, the original voice of Professor Oak from the Pokémon anime, among the cast.
Created by Brandon Zelman and Harrison Bryan, BALLS emerged from a pandemic-era epiphany. When the theatre world paused and gaming exploded, the creators asked: what if a musical could capture the feeling of starting a new video game? What if the audience didn’t just watch—what if they played?
Photo Courtesy: Brandon Zelman & Harrison Bryan / Balls: The Monster-Catchin’ Musical Comedy
“BALLS is an ambitious interactive adventure comedy that pushes the limits of our imaginations,” says Bryan. “It’s a vibrant collaboration of craft—a new game every night.”
Part musical, part monster-hunting satire, BALLS invites audiences to play along. Each show features an audience-selected “hero,” a splash zone for the fearless, chase scenes through the aisles, and a fresh, partially improvised storyline. The goal? A deeper level of theatrical immersion.
The world is populated by original “Collectabuddy” monsters (151 of them!), parody villains, and bizarre battle sequences, all woven together with original music and puppetry.
It’s like stepping into a cartoon, then realizing the cartoon has plot twists, a drinking game, and perhaps even some suspiciously emotional songs about turtles.
Despite its absurdist roots, BALLS aims to be a serious musical achievement. The score is helmed by Lena Gabrielle (SIX, Emojiland), who oversees arrangements and orchestration, along with an all-star team of composers: Pippa Cleary (My Son’s a Queer), Joriah Kwamé, Aaron Kenny, Grace Yurchuk, and others. The result is a genre-busting mix of show tunes, 8-bit bops, and playful musical satire.
Photo Courtesy: Arin Sang-urai
Yes, you read that right—some of the music was reportedly composed using vintage Nintendo Gameboys, courtesy of Bryan’s cousin Allan Nalven, a skilled LSDJ loop programmer.
“We aren’t aware of any other musical with a score like this,” says Bryan. “We started with ukuleles and big dreams. Now we’ve got a playable demo of a show that blends 8-bit nostalgia and musical theatre in a way we find unique.”
The cast features Off-Broadway talent like Teresa Attridge (NY Theatre Barn’s Backstage Pass), Ebony Deloney (Hairspray), Katie Luke (Bandstand), and Kurt Cruz (Asian AF), but the casting of Stuart Zagnit as “The Professor” adds an extra layer of meta.
Best known for voicing Professor Oak in the Pokémon series, Zagnit brings both gravitas and gleeful parody to a role that playfully nods to his legacy. “Never in our wildest dreams did we expect this cosmic casting opportunity,” says Bryan. “It’s like watching our childhood come to life—but perhaps funnier and with a splash zone.”
Zagnit agrees. “I’ve always loved playing the Professor. But this universe is something different. BALLS takes everything fans love and puts a fresh spin on it.”
While BALLS wears its fandom on its sleeve, it’s not just a spoof. At its core, the show is a love letter to anyone who grew up catching monsters and dreaming big—and a reminder that growing up doesn’t mean giving up adventure.
“Escapism can be healing,” says Bryan. “During the pandemic, games helped people stay connected. Now, live theatre is exploring that power. We want BALLS to be a place where fans of theatre and fans of gaming come together to laugh, scream, play—and maybe even feel something.”
The team’s vision is optimistic: pop-ups, concept albums, comic cons, even a touring version. For now, they’re testing the waters with a high-energy, limited engagement designed to leave audiences chanting, laughing, and maybe humming a few lines like:
“BALLS BALLS BALLS BALLS BALLS…BALLS BALLS BALLS!”
This initial run will take place on Friday, April 18 at 7 PM; Saturday, April 19 at 4 PM & 9:30 PM at Caveat NYC, 21 A Clinton Street, New York, NY 10002 for the in-person audience and will also live-stream for global fans. Tickets for both can be found at ballsmusical.com.
Photo Courtesy: Brandon Zelman & Harrison Bryan / Balls: The Monster-Catchin’ Musical Comedy
Follow @ballsmusical on Instagram for a discount code and sneak peeks.
Whether you’re in it for the monsters, the music, the memes, or the mayhem—BALLS is a show that seeks to celebrate weirdness, fandom, and play in all its glory.
Catch it while you can. Then come back and catch it again.
Published by Jeremy S.
