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A Very Potter Musical

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A Very Potter Musical
AVPM soundtrack art
MusicDarren Criss
A.J. Holmes
LyricsDarren Criss
A.J. Holmes
BookMatt Lang
Nick Lang
Brian Holden
BasisJ. K. Rowling's novels: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Productions2009 University of Michigan
2011 Australia (Unofficial)
AwardsThe 10 Best Viral Videos of 2009 by Entertainment Weekly.[1][2][3]

A Very Potter Musical (originally titled Harry Potter: The Musical) is a musical with music and lyrics by Darren Criss[2][3][4][5] and A.J. Holmes, and a book by Matt Lang, Nick Lang, and Brian Holden.[6] The story is a parody based on several of the Harry Potter novels, particularly Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling, as well as their film counterparts.

A Very Potter Musical tells the story of Harry Potter's return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the trials and tribulations of adolescence, his participation in the House Cup Championship, and the return of the dark wizard Lord Voldemort to power.

The musical was performed in April 9–11, 2009,[7][8] on the University of Michigan campus and is currently available to watch online.[9] It was produced by StarKid Productions[2][3][7][8][9] and directed by Matt Lang.[6] The musical starred Darren Criss as Harry Potter,[2][3][4][8][10] Joey Richter as Ron Weasley, Bonnie Grueson as Hermione Granger, Lauren Lopez as Draco Malfoy, Brian Rosenthal as Quirinus Quirrell, and Joe Walker as Lord Voldemort.[6] In late June 2009,[7] the group put the entire musical up on YouTube, and it became a viral video,[1][2][3][5][8][9] obtaining millions of views. The musical also allowed StarKid to create subsequent musicals: Me and My Dick (2009), A Very Potter Sequel (2010), and Starship (2011). A third installment of A Very Potter Musical is also said to be in the works.[11]

Synopsis

Act I

Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and the other students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry rejoice that they are going back for their second year ("Goin' Back to Hogwarts"). Headmaster of Hogwarts Albus Dumbledore welcomes everyone back and skips the Sorting Ceremony as the Sorting Hat eloped with another piece of magical clothing, the Scarf of Sexual Preference ("So basically I put everyone who looks like a good guy into Gryffindor, everyone who looks like a bad guy into Slytherin, and the rest can go wherever they want, I don't really care".) Potions Professor Severus Snape discusses portkeys, foreshadowing, horcruxes, and the houses at Hogwarts. Harry's scar begins to burn as the new professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts Quirinus Quirrell shows up to introduce the House Cup Championship. Quirrell is forced to flee, however, when sneezing begins to emanate from his turban, which Quirrell claims is flatulence. Harry, Cho Chang, Cedric Diggory, and Draco Malfoy are chosen as the four participants for the tournament, each being deemed the "champion" of their houses, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin respectively. Hermione voices her concerns about Quirrell, Snape, and the tournament to Harry and Ron, and tried to convinces Harry to drop out of the tournament. However, Harry asks Hermione to talk to Dumbledore about it, and Dumbledore says it is out of the question due to the enchanted goblet the names of the champions were chosen from. Malfoy returns to discourage Harry about the tournament and tells him that he is transferring to the wizarding school on Mars, Pigfarts. Hermione fights back and threatens Malfoy before she, Harry, and Ron storm off.

Quirrell and Lord Voldemort, who is secretly attached to the back of Quirrell's head, discuss Harry Potter, and then begin to argue about having to live together ("Different As Can Be"). Meanwhile, Harry convinces Hermione to do his school work and preparation for the tournament for him. Harry then performs a love song for Ginny Weasley which is really intended for Cho ("Ginny's Song"). Ron arrives to tell Harry that giant cages are being brought to the dungeons. Hermione believes they have to do with the tournament's first challenge, so she, Harry, and Ron go to investigate, using Harry's Cloak of Invisibility, left to him by his deceased father. Ron does not allow Ginny to go with them, so Ginny stays behind and sings about her feelings for Harry ("Harry").

Voldemort convinces Quirrell to go out and celebrate the progress of their evil plan instead of grading papers. As Harry, Ron, and Hermione are searching for clues beneath the Cloak of Invisibility, they overhear Malfoy and his gang talking about who they think is the ugliest girl in school before stumbling on Dumbledore and Snape talking about the first task: Dragons. Voldemort and Quirrell drunkenly walk back to the school while discussing their failed romantic exploits, Voldemort's first encounter with fun, and how the two of them have become friends ("Different As Can Be (Reprise)").

Hermione lectures Harry about not preparing for the tournament, as Malfoy tells Cedric about Pigfarts before the first task of the tournament begins. Dumbledore arrives to give each of the competitors their dragon assignment, with the three champions receiving tame dragons such as Puff the Magic Dragon, The Imaginary Dragon and The Reluctant Dragon, and ending with Harry getting the fiercest one, The Hungarian Horntail. Harry tries to bribe Malfoy with various snacks in order to get him to trade dragons, but Malfoy refuses. The crowd cheers Harry on as he begins to fight his dragon. Harry summons his guitar and serenades the dragon into submission, allowing him to move on to the next round of the competition ("The Dragon Song").

Snape announces the annual Yule Ball. Ginny attempts to ask Harry to the ball, but Harry reveals his plans to ask Cho to go with him, causing Ginny to run off, devastated. Harry plays his love song for Cho, but is also rejected because she already said she would go with Cedric ("Ginny's Song Reprise (Cho's Song)"). Ron tries to cheer Harry up, but to no avail. Malfoy enters, bragging about his tournament victory, and is shocked to see Gregory Goyle holding a Yule Ball wreath. The two of them, along with Vincent Crabbe, discuss the absurdity of school dances, deeming it "for pansies," before Malfoy asks Pansy Parkinson to go with him to the ball. Quirrell relieves Voldemort of his worries surrounding their master plan as the two weigh the pros and cons of their upcoming physical separation. As Qurriell puts his turban back on, covering Voldemort, Snape arrives to question him about his being in the ball room, which Quirrell claims to be "just decorating," placing a "special" ladle in the punch bowl.

At the Yule Ball, Ron mentions to Harry he heard Hermione had been crying in the bathroom all day. Malfoy joins the conversation, ignoring his date, but then he and Ron begin fighting about their feelings for Hermione as she arrives looking "supermegafoxyawesomehot" ("Granger Danger"). Afterward, Ron, appearing drunk, rants to Harry that Hermione is dancing with every guy at the ball but him. When she comes over to talk to them, Ron scolds her and she walks away. Harry puts the pieces together and calls Ron out for having a crush on her. Harry tries to help Ron, but is distracted with blossoming feelings for Ginny, whom he asks to dance. Both Ron and Malfoy try to get Hermione's attention, but she begins to yell at each of them for their behavior and storms off, not before slapping both Ron and Draco. Meanwhile, as Harry and Ginny are dancing, they kiss, but Harry pulls away stating they could not be together because she is his best friend's sister. Ginny runs off crying, and Harry cuts in to dance with Cho while she is dancing with Cedric. Cedric accuses Harry of cheating during the dragon challenge, and Harry challenges Cedric to a duel, but before the duel starts, the two of them argue over who will get Cho punch. Cedric punches Harry, and Harry retaliates by swinging the punch ladle that Quirrell had placed in the bowl earlier.

Harry and Cedric are transported to a graveyard, revealing the ladle was a portkey. As Harry and Cedric begin to argue again, Quirrell kills Cedric with the Killing Curse and stuns Harry. At this point, Quirrell reveals Voldemort to Harry. The Death Eaters then perform a ritual, involving a masked Snape amputating one of his hands, to separate Voldemort and Quirrell, giving them each their own body. Voldemort and Quirrell celebrate their plan's success by using the Imperius Curse on Harry to make him dance ("To Dance Again!"). Bellatrix Lestrange arrives to welcome back her master and former lover, and reveals their plan was to kill Harry and use Quirrell as a scapegoat. Quirrell and Voldemort then have a falling out, and the Death Eaters take Quirrell to Azkaban. Before Voldemort can kill Harry, Harry manages to grab Cedric's body and the portkey and returns to Hogwarts. The act ends with Harry exclaiming in front of everyone that Voldemort has returned.

Act II

The wizarding world is in disbelief of Voldemort's return. The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, rebukes the "rumors" of Voldemort's comeback, in spite of evidence such as Voldemort vlogging about Zac Efron and killing Harry Potter on "FlooTube". Harry tries to talk to Ron about the upcoming battle against Voldemort, but Ron is still stuck on his feelings for Hermione. Harry tries to sympathize with Ron, but Ron calls Harry out on making every conversation "Potter talk." Hermione walks up to Harry after Ron leaves, asking questions about Ron. Harry tries to get in a word about Voldemort, but Hermione tells him to grow up and face his challenges instead of worrying about them. Malfoy shows up to mock Harry, but Neville humiliates him in front of class, which causes Snape to bring Malfoy to his office. Ginny walks in to ask Harry about what had happened at the Yule Ball. Harry explains, using the Spider-Man film trilogy as an example, that as long as Voldemort is back, Ginny would be in too much danger if she and Harry were to be together. Dumbledore arrives to tell Harry to meet him in his office later to discuss important things involving Voldemort. Dumbledore tells Harry that the two people he can trust are Snape and himself, but Harry argues that Snape is in fact a Death Eater, which Dumbledore denies.

Snape goes to the Death Eater's hideout to speak to Voldemort and reveals to two guards that he has been a spy for the Death Eaters all along. The two guards go to report to Voldemort, who is daydreaming through Bellatrix's explanation of her evil plan. Snape is let in and tells Voldemort he has discovered a way to get the Death Eaters into Hogwarts. However, due to an unbreakable vow, Snape is not allowed to divulge the details, and instead, has Malfoy tell Voldemort to get in through the ventilation system. In order for Malfoy to show Voldemort the way, he asks for a rocket ship in order to go to Pigfarts ("Pigfarts, Pigfarts Here I Come...."). Snape brings up that they will have to kill Dumbledore, so Voldemort and Malfoy make an unbreakable vow, Malfoy promising to kill Dumbledore and Voldemort promising Malfoy his rocket ship.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione arrive at Dumbledore's office for the meeting. Dumbledore explains horcruxes, reveals that he has destroyed five of the six Voldemort has created, and tells the three of them to find and destroy the last one using Godric Gryffindor's sword and a magical horcrux finder. The Death Eaters then bust into Dumbledore's office, and Malfoy reveals that he let the Death Eaters into Hogwarts. Dumbledore tries to talk Malfoy out of killing him, but then Snape arrives and kills Dumbledore. Harry is so distraught by Dumbledore's murder, that he tells Ron and Hermione that he must finish everything alone and flees.

Voldemort kills Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge (who still denies Voldemort is back even as he is standing in front of him) and takes over the Ministry of Magic. Bellatrix wants to celebrate by having sex, however, Voldemort sits back to back with her, to simulate his relationship with Quirrell. Bellatrix realizes what is going on and storms off. Voldemort, Quirrell, and Harry lament those they have lost ("Missing You"). A Death Eater then reports to Voldemort that Dumbledore is dead and that the Death Eaters have control of Hogwarts. Voldemort prepares to depart to Hogwarts.

Ginny finds Harry and tries to convince him that he can stop the Death Eaters, but Harry is in denial, stating he cannot do anything and that all is hope is lost. Despite this, Ginny tells Harry that he is not alone in the fight against evil, during which Ron and Hermione join them ("Not Alone"). The group then decides they need to find the last horcrux. Harry's horcrux finder reveals that the last one is in Dumbledore's office. Harry then asks how they had gotten to him with all the Death Eaters around. Ginny tells them that she got help from Malfoy, who she explains is good now, which Harry, Ron, and Hermione are reluctant to believe. Ginny and Hermione leave in order to contact the Order of the Phoenix, while Malfoy shows Harry and Ron the way to get into Dumbledore's office. Just before parting ways, Ron apologizes to Hermione, in case they do not meet again, and kisses her, leading into the two sharing a passionate kiss. While searching in Dumbledore's office, Harry, Ron, and Malfoy discover the last horcrux is Dumbledore's Zac Efron poster. The horcrux takes the shape of both Voldemort and Hermione and tries to convince Ron that Harry is the real enemy, but Ron overcomes the deception and destroys the horcrux with Godric Gryffindor's sword. Ron tells Harry that nothing could come between their friendship. A group of Death Eaters led by Bellatrix arrives, holding Hermione and Ginny hostage. Harry, Ron, and Malfoy throw down their weapons. Snape comes to the aid of Harry and company, but is struck down by one of Bellatrix's spells. Bellatrix tries to take Harry to Voldemort, but Ron and Ginny's mother Molly comes to the rescue and kills Bellatrix. Harry rushes to Snape's side, and with his dying breath, Snape explains to Harry what happened the night Voldemort killed his parents and that Harry had become a seventh horcrux. Voldemort announces to Hogwarts that he and the Death Eaters have killed Dumbledore and taken over the castle, and are willing to let everyone live if they obey him and hand over Harry. Harry realizes now that he has to die in order to save everyone else.

Harry makes his way to the Forbidden Forest to confront Voldemort. Harry does not fight back as Voldemort uses the Cruciatus Curse to torture him and the Killing Curse to kill him. Voldemort and the Death Eaters begin to head back to Hogwarts to give them the news of their fallen hero. Harry, in a place between the worlds of life and death, meets up with Dumbledore who tells Harry that Voldemort, by killing Harry, destroyed the last horcrux and therefore made himself mortal, and tells Harry to return to defeat him. Harry leaves and Dumbledore meets up with RumbleRoar, the lion headmaster of Pigfarts, who reveals Dumbledore is actually still alive and takes him to Pigfarts on Mars.

Voldemort announces that Harry is dead and reiterates his loyalty-for-life policy. Meanwhile, inside Hogwarts, Ron and Hermione are trying to boost morale for the upcoming battle, during which Harry returns ("Voldemort is Goin' Down"). Voldemort enters Hogwarts for the final confrontation and is shocked to see Harry alive. Harry tells everyone to stand back as it is his fight, and explains to Voldemort that he could not hurt the people of Hogwarts as Harry did what his parents did for him, sacrificing himself for others, creating an impenetrable love shield. Harry also explains the fact that because Voldemort cares for no one, and no one cares for him, that lack of love will ultimately be his downfall. Voldemort uses the Killing Curse, but Harry reflects it back at him, killing Voldemort. Hermione points out that there is still one loose end: the House Cup Championship, but Neville Longbottom reads Dumbledore's will declaring Gryffindor the winner, and leaving Hogwarts to Harry. Harry passionately kisses Ginny after Ron give them his blessing and all the students leave to throw a party.

At Azkaban prison, a Dementor tells Quirrell the news of Voldemort's death. Quirrell is devastated by this, but Voldemort's spirit arrives to make amends with Quirrell, stating that everything was okay when they were together, and that he could never really die because a part of him lived on in Quirrell's heart. They embrace by standing back-to-back. The students of Hogwarts then rejoice in jubilation ("Not Alone/Goin' Back to Hogwarts (Reprise)").

Cast and characters

Actor/Actress Character
Darren Criss Harry Potter
Joey Richter Ron Weasley
Bonnie Gruesen Hermione Granger
Lauren Lopez Draco Malfoy
Jaime Lyn Beatty Ginny Weasley
Joe Walker Lord Voldemort
Dylan Saunders Albus Dumbledore
Brian Rosenthal Quirinus Quirrell
Joe Moses Severus Snape
Britney Coleman Bellatrix Lestrange
Tyler Brunsman Cedric Diggory
Cornelius Fudge
Devin Lytle Cho Chang
Richard Campbell Neville Longbottom
Julia Albain Vincent Crabbe
Sango Tajima Lavender Brown
Jim Povolo Gregory Goyle
Rumbleroar
Lily Marks Pansy Parkinson
Molly Weasley

[6]

Musical numbers


  • A rendition of "Granger Danger" performed by Darren Criss is played during the credits of the YouTube version of the production.

Development

While reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Nick Lang and a few others attending the University of Michigan discussed the possibility of Draco Malfoy having a crush on Hermione Granger because of him constantly bullying her, and created the concept of a song "Granger Danger," which led to the idea of making a Harry Potter musical.[4] When the script was being written, they asked Darren Criss if they could use his songs "Sami," which was originally written for the web series Little White Lie, and "Not Alone" which they ended up using as a model for the show.[8]

Productions

Harry Potter: The Musical was performed April 9–11, 2009,[7][8] on the University of Michigan campus.[9] Soon after, the group posted the entire musical on YouTube.[2][4] However, it was later taken down because the group was afraid of getting sued, but was posted again, slightly censored and under the new name A Very Potter Musical[4] in late June 2009.[7]

Unofficial Australian performance

In December 2011, A Very Potter Musical was performed unofficially by an Australian production group, Lost Boys Theatre Company.[12] The cast featured Rob Manion as Harry Potter, Nelson Ohl as Ron Weasley, Karen Kluss as Hermione Granger, Sarah Morrisby as Ginny Weasley and John Xintavelonis as Voldemort. The production aimed to create awareness in Australia to StarKid in the hope that they may one day bring their SPACE Tour to Australia. Like the original, the show was absolutely free and no profit was gained from its creation. However, patrons were advised to donate to Starkid's website.[13]

Recording

Main article: A Very Potter Musical (soundtrack)

A cast recording of the production was released in 2009 through the StarKid Productions website. All of the songs featured on stage are present on the recording. The group also released the album through Bandcamp on July 29, 2010.[14]

Critical reception

Entertainment Weekly named the musical one of "The 10 Best Viral Videos of 2009."[1][2][3]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Lyons, Margaret. "The 10 Best Viral Videos of 2009" Entertainment Weekly, December 29, 2009. Retrieved on July 14, 2011.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Davenport, Misha (February 2011). "Darren Criss from 'Glee,' Starkid launch Chicago home with 'Starship'". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ a b c d e f Milam, Whitney (July 24, 2010). Team StarKid tops Glee and Gaga on iTunes, talks new projects. HollywoodNews. Archived from the original on July 12, 2011. Retrieved July 14, 2011. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ a b c d e Guerra, Jennifer (July 15, 2009). "A Very Potter Musical!". Michigan Radio. Retrieved July 16, 2011.
  5. ^ a b McKee, Jenn (October 25, 2010). "Darren Criss, U-M grad and 'Very Potter Musical' star, will be a new face on "Glee"". AnnArbor.com. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ a b c d Team StarKid's Home Page for "A Very Potter Musical"
  7. ^ a b c d e f Austrone, Xavier. "StarKid Interview: Starship Coverage & A VERY POTTER THREEQUEL!?" Wizardinglife.com, November 22, 2010. Retrieved on July 16, 2011.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Smith, Grady (July 30, 2010). "'A Very Potter Musical' star Darren Criss talks about his new EP and the future for Team StarKid". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 16, 2011.
  9. ^ a b c d Caulfield, Keith. "'My Dick' Rises to Become First Charting Student Musical" Billboard.com, March 18, 2010. Retrieved on July 16, 2011.
  10. ^ "Glee Star Darren Criss Confirmed to Succeed Daniel Radcliffe on Broadway". Broadway.com. August 1, 2011. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  11. ^ "A Very Potter Threequel Looks Promising For Near Future!". ForkThisLlama. Retrieved September 6, 2011.
  12. ^ [1], additional text.
  13. ^ [2], additional text.
  14. ^ "A Very Potter Musical – StarKid". Bandcamp. July 29, 2010. Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved July 26, 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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