What I liked
Fantastic ensemble. No actor feels left out or small. Quick, quippy dialogue packs lots of laughs into a short run time. Memorable songs woven into a storyline that is familiar to fans but digs deeper into what might really be going down with our favorite characters. Hilariously timed 4th wall breaks. Did I mention the fantastic ensemble?
What I didn't like
Honestly, mostly technical things that could be fixed with a bigger budget. When they get a live band it’ll be easier to time dialogue over a vamp, when they get mics it’ll be easier to hear people, when they get a full length 2 act show they’ll be able to (give Felinus back his song and) slow it down and things won’t feel as rushed. They love fast dialogue so be ready to listen carefully! The antagonists premise might be a little “crude” for some audiences but they say its 16+ for a reason.
My overall impression
Pocketmon is a campy, nostalgic comedy that knows it’s a parody and doesn’t take itself too seriously, creating a fun time for both audience and actors (they at least all looked like they were having a blast, if not they’re REALLY GOOD actors). Referencing so much more than just our beloved video game from the 00s, Brandon Pfeltz has a creative brain that is able to mash up favorites from across decades into a show that scores major points across generations. From “Bug Catcher Brian” to “GrandePuff” (fantastically whistletoned by Sydney Bell), there’s sure to be something for everyone to catch on to…and miss!
The show is performed by an ensemble who you can tell has taken the show and RAN with it. Tommy McKiernan as the confident, yet clueless hero, Soot Snag’em and the chain smoking Pikaboo played by Howie Schaal make for a dynamic lead duo supported and enhanced by ex gym leaders/“we’re only secondary characters” Jordan Segal as Rock (open your eyes Rock!) and Adair Tishler as Windy (I got my own song!). The rest of the ensemble hops with ease through an eclectic cast of characters with some standouts being: Niko Papastefanou as Professor Toke who has a strange affinity for grass pocketmon, David Evan Stolworthy’s incredible physicality as Felinus flanked by Katy Wicker (Tessie) and Sydney Bell (Thames) as the flamboyant, hapless, and brightly wigged members of Team Sprocket, Henry Steelhammer as that obnoxious rival Larry, and of course the writer/director Brandon Pfletz as Blogdorf…who’s name tells you a lot of what you need to know. Each actor gets laughs at some point in the show from some fun quirk or choice that makes these performances truly unique, and the influence from the choices of the ensemble takes the show to full parody comedy mayhem (in a good way).
