Imagine this: you're just going about your day when suddenly, people start singing. Before you know it, a full-blown musical pandemic sweeps through your city, all thanks to a meteor strike. Welcome to 'The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals' at Javeenbah Theatre. Directed by Fiona Mumford, this zany production was the perfect mix of comedy, chaos, and everything you love (and maybe dislike) about musicals. If you’ve ever seen 'Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,' it’s got that same wild premise—except here, instead of just one person hearing spontaneous songs, it’s the entire town bursting into full-blown musical numbers, whether they want to or not.
This show was an absolute trip in the best possible way; it was also my first time seeing a Starkid production live. Benjamin Bristow (as Paul, our everyman hero) introduced us to his deep disdain for all things musical. But as the musical apocalypse hit, his world quickly spiralled into a nightmare of spontaneous song and dance. For Paul, this was torture. For the audience? It was comedy gold. It was clear from the start that the cast was having an absolute blast with this premise. The show leaned into musical tropes, poking fun at the very genre that has made so many of us fans—and the audience was all for it.
Let’s talk vocal talent. Jade Goldberg (Zoey/Alice) was a standout. Her lead performance of "La Dee Dah Dah Day" was a stunning surprise. Then there was Maegan Weir, who delivered multiple powerhouse solos. First, in "What Do You Want, Paul?", she serenaded her employee Paul in the least appropriate way possible. Then, as Sam, Maegan sang “You Tied Up My Heart,” and let’s just say the intensity of the moment was as sharp as her vocals. Amelia White (Charlotte) was truly funny and her voice was fantastically powerful, especially in "Join Us (and Die)". Elijah Haze (Ted) brought great energy and I thought he was hilarious in every single one of his scenes.
Sabre Lilly (Emma) had great chemistry with Bristow’s Paul, particularly in their back-and-forth moments. And then there was Lonnie Toia (Bill)—who made for an incredibly unsettling zombie/alien with just a shift in posture and a dead-eyed stare. If there were an award for "Best Facial Expression in a Zombie Role," Lonnie would have won it, hands down. Jake Goodall was comedic gold as Professor Hidgens. He’s got it all: physical comedy, perfect one-liners, and that “I’m-having-way-too-much-fun-with-this” energy that you can’t fake. His “Show Stoppin Number” was an unexpected highlight—complete with a costume change, Fosse hands, and a whole lot of pizzazz.
The direction by Fiona Mumford deserves high praise. She ensured a balance between absurdity and sincerity, ensuring that we remain invested in the characters even as it got more ridiculous. Her ability to play with the genre’s tropes—both embracing and satirising them—added to the show’s charm. Clever touches (like the fake foot) enhanced the comedy, while her direction brought out the best in the cast, allowing each performer to shine in their own unique way.
And let’s not forget the music. Alex Angus, the Music Director, did a brilliant job rocking it out on synth and guitar, while conducting the band, like the total rockstar that she is. A live band always elevates a production, and this four-piece ensemble was no exception. The set was minimal, with plenty of greenery to emphasise the chaotic spread of the "alien infection." The costumes were simple and functional, and the makeup was glittery, green, and gorgeous. The sound in Javeenbah Theatre was crystal clear, with mic amplification that actually flattered the vocals instead of making them sound like they were coming from a megaphone.
I didn’t realise until the end that Paul hadn’t sung once. But when Benjamin Bristow finally let loose in “Let It Out,” it was a cathartic moment, and his vocals did not disappoint. I’ll remember his performance less for the singing and more for the way he hilariously embodied Paul's increasing stress as everything around him went from bad to worse.
All in all, this show was an absolute blast. It was weird, wonderful, and filled with heart underneath all the ridiculousness. I can only hope Javeenbah Theatre continues to bring more musicals like this to the stage—because I’ll definitely be back for more.
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