Pop Punk High

See it if If you like a show like school of rock. A fun light hearted musicsl.

Don't see it if musical. You dont like cursing or some perverted subject matter.

See it if you have fond memories of the watered down version of punk that got lots of airplay at the turn of the last century.

Don't see it if you like your punk straight, or don't like punk at all, or do not want to stand for the length of a show, or hate loud music.

Also I moved to the East Village in 1978, the height of NY's punk music scene; it was pretty thrilling. So I always looked a little askance a generation later when a watered down (sentimentalized?) version of punk dominated the airwaves. Some I liked, some I rolled my eyes at. Fast forward to now: I liked "POP PUNK HIGH" a lot more than I expected, mostly because of the non-stop high energy performances. The personable lead teenagers of both sexes snarl a lot, & make fun of mom & dad (very funny in mismatched pastels). But in the end this pop-rock musical is pretty sweet-natured, affirming lots of good old-fashioned virtues, which only shows how far pop punk always was from the acerbic punk original which would have trashed those values. (Admission: I liked the warm-up band, Knuckle Head, even better than the show.)... Read more Read less

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Also This musical attempts to recreate the punk era of the 90's and is well appreciated by the young audience. The cast does a nice "job" of singing the songs of the times. Th story is simple and the cast has fun in about 80 minutes on stage. Some singing was very good but there was no cast listing nor any form of a program. I suggest a mini cast list If it is a cost problem. The tale drags into much raunchy dialogue and sexual content. The he-man anti hero is not quite a physical he-man. We did not stay for the post show costume contest nor the karaoke.(partly a time factor) The pre-show group (again not identified) was loud and punk related but I felt it took away from the show which the audience was anticipating. These 3 events should be made aware by ads and publicity when tickets are sold. The arrangement was almost all standing room as expected by the rock punk period but again the audience should be informed. The limited seating arrangements should also note... Read more Read less

See it if you like the music, and it is loud for most of the show, along with a good/fun story that is energetically played and sung by a good cast.

Don't see it if you cannot stand loud rock music - there was even a warm up band of loud music that delayed the star of the show about 30 minutes.

See it if Upbeat and angsty teens express themselves to a pop-rock beat. Opening act. Perhaps a nice appetizer to some bad behaviours in The Village

Don't see it if Volume turned up. General admission ticketing as standing is compulsory. Why is the setting a club when the actors are portraying teens?

See it if punk pop is sacred 2 U, want rave sort of experience, like standing mosh pit style, have already lost your hearing, want drinks with theater

Don't see it if won't wear earplugs, need sophisticated humor/lyrics/music, can't stand for 3 hours, don't like punk pop, can't C worth of sophomoric humor

See it if you want to see an entertaining show that mixes nostalgia and laughs. It's a fun time, but perhaps target audience is under 35.

Don't see it if you're unable/don't want to stand for the show, are unfamiliar with early 2000s music and pop culture, or don't like silly/cliched humor

See it if Aladdin story set in 2003 nostalgia feelz on how self-centered kids grow up. Some current feminism inserts. Kitschy, but pretty good songs.

Don't see it if Uneven vocal abilities of cast, mostly predictable plot, standing through a show, or waiting a while for a show annoy you.

Also Free ticket from Show Score. Scheduled 8pm show began at 8:40pm. Standing room like a concert. You can sit if you get table service.... Read more Read less

See it if you'd enjoy a LOUD night-out @ a bar w/the gang. It's like a high school-ish 'Eleventh Hour', w/MUCH better music, singing, & stronger band.

Don't see it if you want to SIT @ a serious show. It's more an obnoxious rock-concert than traditional theater, w/a tap number thrown in for good measure.

Also No freaking Playbill. NOT COOL.

3-man pre-show band 'Knucklehead' did great originals & covers. We recommend you get there early.

Book's funny enough (bullied high school kid "Derek" gets 3 wishes granted by the spirit of Avril Lavigne), driven by typical teen angst, romance, detention, bullying, obscenities (dick-jokes abound), parental embarrassment, etc.

If you like early 00s music, this show's LOUD band & excellent singing helps make it all come together. Cast is FULL-ON, non-stop high-energy, w/clear (thankfully) intelligible voices. Stand-outs Kelly Krauter ("Avril") & composer/lyricist Ben Lapidus ("Derek") showcase excellent vocals & some good acting.

Show is followed by a costume contest (why???), & sign-up karaoke (supported by the show's band plus Lapidus on guitar), some of which were really excellent.

There IS limited seating (very tight, w/sight obstructions), in a 2-drink minimum section. Otherwise it's SRO.

Despite juvenile book, it's a stupid great fun night-out.... Read more Read less

See it if You want an ode to early 2000s music and a secretly clever show under fringe/downtown strappings.

Don't see it if You want strong harmonizing (vocals were a little lacking). You dislike standing. (You have to buy two things to keep a seat).

See it if Your high school years took place in the pop-punk era. You're looking for a show that's closer to an experience than just a musical.

Don't see it if You're outside of the target audience for this show. It's a veeery target show. You dislike sophomoric humor. (it is a show about teenagers)

Also "What does it take to be a super hero in my world? make no mistake that these villains always get the girl. We can escape and then we'd skate away from all of this
but no one ever does." -Something Corporate

Pop-Punk High, at its most effective moments, is a kind of loving indictment of its tendency to objectify women into damsels in distress, as in the above song by my favorite pop-punk era band.

But for the most part, it's a bevy of penis jokes, cartoonish caricatures, and a book that could use some editing.

The music though, is killer. The band rocks. Hard.

The cast is great. they're 100% in it every second.

I would love to see this show retooled with all the "Pop Punk High" stuff taken out and put back into the actual world of 2003. The conceit dealing with a certain actual conspiracy theory involving Avril Lavigne, portrayed by the amazing Kelly Krauter, is a clever plot device, but the fairy tale world they inhabit took me out of the show.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a very silly musical that reveres Avril Lavigne.

Don't see it if You object to standing concert-style throughout the show, or to seeing a gargantuan fake penis onstage.

See it if You just want fun insanity nostalgia and to rock out. (Also. The MOM. Is. Everything)

Don't see it if You are easily offended, don’t like loud music, or need any semblance of intelligence - this is not the night for that.

See it if You want to go for a heavy metal concert

Don't see it if You think you are seeing a musical

Also I am particularly disappointed as this was advertised as musical while it's actually a concert. The story is totally misleading. There is no acting with the singing. I could have gone to a different show that I can actually enjoy. I wasted my time... There were no seats for the performance ... I don't think I will ever come back to this venue. The whole experience sucks...... Read more Read less

See it if You love pop punk music or being immersed in the action.

Don't see it if You do t want to stand for an hour, dislike loud music, or want a genuine piece of theatrical magic (this is not that).

See it if You have great nostalgia for 2000's punk music/culture. You enjoy excellent but brief character acting by the lead's parents.

Don't see it if You dislike "immersive" theatre where performers join a standing crowd. You are bored by in-jokes within in-jokes, including penis humor.

See it if you want to try to understand high school kids' mind set

Don't see it if extremely loud music, cursing

See it if you like pop punk - or any high energy music. Not a deep story, but it has good music, strong singing and it's funny - very entertaining!

Don't see it if you don't like concerts or are easily offended. The music is loud, you have to stand, and it definitely works at being offensive.

See it if you're passionate about experimental theater or love that pop/punk era of music.

Don't see it if You're looking for something to hold your attention. Once you get past the authentic-feeling club setting, there isn't much to this show

See it if You like young talented singers and dancers in high school singing and wishing for all things punk

Don't see it if You can not stand or hear loud music

See it if You want to hear some interesting noise and music.

Don't see it if You are over 50 and can’t stand standing through a whole play. If you want to keep your hearing intact don’t see it.

Also This is not a kids show. In the playbill it states that you must be 18+. I guess it’s because it’s really a place for drinking. In any case it is too raunchy for the youngest generation.... Read more Read less

See it if This show is now closed. If you grew up in the early 2000s you would have loved the style and references.

Don't see it if I would have suggested it if you wanted a more traditional musical.

See it if You like Green Day, Avril Lavigne, etc., and want to reminisce about the early 00s; you want to watch performers enjoying themselves

Don't see it if You want something serious, sit quietly, see a fully-staged musical.

Also The opening act is a pop punk band - the venue was plenty spacious to arrive during that set and still find a good spot to stand and watch, so though I personally enjoyed them fine, don't feel compelled to come early for the opener if you don't want to.... Read more Read less

See it if You're looking for a nontraditional theatre experience that brings back the nostalgia of the 2000s with great atmosphere and energy

Don't see it if You're looking for a serious night out; if strobe lights affect you; if you hate loud noises (I brought earplugs)

Also I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this show. There was a little punk concert beforehand from KnuckleHead which was a fun time (I'm not too into punk but the energy was great!). Be warned that if you sit down, you have to buy food or drinks (the chocolate chip cookies were delicious, though).
The show itself was also better than my expectations. The plot was just as stupid as you think it'll be but the show was super self-aware and didn't try to portray itself as 'serious theatre.' If you know Starkid/A Very Potter Musical/Me and My Dick, the humor was very similar to that, which is totally to my taste but I can also 100% see why someone else would hate it. Overall, Pop Punk High was a really fun show that had me laughing and enjoying myself the whole time.... Read more Read less

See it if You remember getting a kick out of all those bands that came after Green Day in the early 2000s.

Don't see it if You don’t like loud shows where you have to stand most of the time.

Also This was a truly enjoyable evening! It was a well put together show and flowed really nicely. I was smiling most of the show despite not being able to see very much from where I was standing. I’m so glad I got to go. It’s a really fun experience.... Read more Read less