Pop Punk High
About the show
This musical tells the story of a high school where everyone is pop punk, it's always 2003, and there's never been anything cooler than shredding, pizza, and flipping off your lame-ass parents. More…
Derek, a young wannabe pop-punk frontman, wants nothing more than to become king of Pop Punk High and win Amanda Bunkface's angsty, straight-ironed love. It seems all but impossible for a loser like Derek, but when he finds a bong in his attic containing the ghost/genie of Avril Lavigne, his wildest dreams may become reality after all. 'Pop Punk High' features a score reminiscent of blink-182 and Sum 41, and a book full of obscene humor.
“Hilarious...Wildly comical and stridently raunchy...A spot-on laugh-out-loud farce of juvenile dreams, filled with the pop-culture references, language, aesthetics, and emo of the era...The ensemble of actors and musicians is across-the-board terrific, with powerhouse vocals and outrageously funny, but still recognizably empathetic, portrayals of the rebellious and anxiety-ridden students and principal...A ‘so totally badass’ alternative experience in musical comedy.” Full Review
“The ups and downs of self-discovery are set to a wicked pop-punk sound in this bizarre and brave musical...A cast and score that can only be described as purely electrifying, this musical runs along the lines of a punk concert, with a dramatic flare of nostalgia...Riveting, head-bopping musical with a twisted, definitely unique plot...Not only are the songs brazen and catchy...the audience is given a clear picture of what this world of 'pop punk high' is truly like." Full Review
“A fun musical...Based on a school where music and skateboarding is king...An R-rated ‘School of Rock’...We see humor in this musical...The great singing and funny lyrics made it a delightful evening...A first rate show that blended music and comedy alike. The show captured what high school was like...Most of the songs are catchy and some are downright hilarious. The battle of the bands steals the show with both talent and raucous laughter.” Full Review
"The show is an unstoppable testament to strong women realizing their power should not be taken by weaker men...This musical feels accessible and gives the crowd a chance to partake...By the end of its 90 minutes people knew hooks, harmonies, and choruses as if they had written the musical’s songs, which was oddly moving. There is no doubt that each member of this cast is planning and can head into bigger, broader musical venues." Full Review
“An immersive production...The non-restrictive nature of the choreography made the atmosphere more infectious, and I was sold on the interactive karaoke sessions...That said, the constant movement of the ensemble...came at some inopportune moments when serious angst was being built, breaking some of the amazing dramatic tension in parts of the musical. Nevertheless, the cast was incredibly talented and made ‘Pop Punk High’ more than noteworthy.” Full Review
“An inventive, loud, and ridiculously entertaining piece of musical theatre...An attempt to flip the high school story from cute to raucous. With a trite but efficient book...and deliberately rabid and rough music & lyrics...the rebellious but traditional tale...played with an over-the-top cartoonish glee by the playful Peterson and Wiegand transferes well...Moves at a clear and consistent pace, although...for a loud raucous piece of musical theater, it feels longer and loose. The cast is all... Full Review
“An original musical comedy that travels back to senior year in high school in 2003...The clever and witty lyrics were something to really give a fuck about...The choreographer did a fantastic job...The plot needed some revamping...The dick jokes went on too long and needed to be axed...The musical gleefully captures the carefree high school years in the early 2000s...’Pop Punk High’ delivers an amusing look back at the era, a decent sound track, and a rollicking good time.” Full Review
for a previous production “Cook's one-liners are savage, his dialogue is to both kill and die for, and his understanding of the pop-punk milieu is doctorate grade…The comedy is fun, witty, and cartoonish...and delivered by a sterling cast with the bravura of an angsty Mel Brooks picture…Musically, the show hits the parody nail directly on the head…This production is a tight-knit, well-oiled machine…Explosively good. It leaps off the stage at you…The only crime the show commits is that it is too short." Full Review
for a previous production "The creative team deserves a standing ovation for this cunningly hilarious production...A laugh-out-loud experience...Aside from the ridiculously funny props and talented cast members, what separates this entire production from anything else is the quality of the music...If you are looking for a fun way to spend your Thursday evening, I highly suggest attending 'Pop Punk High.' I genuinely loved this humorous show so much that I am going again this week!" Full Review
for a previous production “As the plot unfolds, the audience is treated to plenty of twists, turns and hilarious dialogue...Not only is it the plot and humor that makes this show impressive, but also the music and lyrics...Lapidus’s score is both cleverly written and highly successful in evoking the nostalgia for the pop punk bands...Performed excellently by the four live band members...Performed at a high-energy level that keeps the audience laughing and engaged...You’ll be in for a fun time.” Full Review
for a previous production “A comedy musical about the pop punk movement of the early 2000s...It’s pretty much the standard high school story, the only thing that’s different is the soundtrack...The performances are superb...The script by Lapidus and Anderson Cook is hilariously funny, the music is exactly what it should be, and the show’s just a lot of fun...I strongly recommend it.” Full Review
for a previous production "The original music is great...The whole thing is both extremely silly and extremely self-aware, smartly calling out some of emo and pop-punk music's most fucked up qualities - particularly the way the songs regularly portrayed women as two-dimensional fodder for lust and contempt...It's so good I can also imagine it on a bigger stage...But as every pop-punk band knows - even the ones that went on to soundtrack a zillion shattered hearts - you gotta start somewhere." Full Review
for a previous production "The songs perfectly capture the feel of the mid-2000s...The show pulses with an energy that pulls you out of your seat. The acting and singing is uniformly superb, and the talent of the cast drives the story forward and keeps you engaged from start to finish...'Pop Punk High' is an homage to a specific moment in American music...As written it contains too many inside jokes. There are lots of one-liners that you’ll only understand if you closely followed pop punk music." Full Review
for a previous production “A musical which brings you back to those mid-aughts days in a funny and way too relatable way…While the main characters were great, I always find myself paying more attention to supporting characters...and the supporting cast did not disappoint here…It doesn’t rely on big-budget, amazing effects and sets or makeup but instead on a cast which draws the audience into a lighthearted return to angsty and awkward, but much better, days.” Full Review
See it if You were a Warped Tour kid and still are at heart
Don't see it if You have issues standing for long periods of time (no seats) or are easily offended by profanity and dick jokes.
See it if You enjoyed pop punk music, you're nostalgic for 2003, or you want to indulge your 2003 self
Don't see it if You didn't have a phase when you loved pop punk
See it if you listened to Pop Punk, want to relieve the ridiculousness that was the early 2000s, or want to poke some fun at your younger self.
Don't see it if you don't like Pop Punk music, don't know Avril Lavigne, can't stand crude and stupid humor, or are extremely adverse to Axe body-spray.
See it if you like 2000s nostalgia, music and aesthetics! If you like musicals and look for an involving experience beyond just sitting and watching
Don't see it if You don't like musicals, loud pop punk songs, you detest nostalgia and those good old days!
See it if You want to get entertained and laugh a lot.
Don't see it if you want something more thought-provoking. you don't like standing while watching a show.
See it if You love pop punk and want a unique and clever musical steeped in 00s nostalgia.
Don't see it if You are offended by foul language and sexual references.
See it if Fun and irreverent nostalgic fun
Don't see it if You want anything highbrow. But hey, it's pop punk.
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 an... Read more Read less
See it if You love pop punk, you went through high school in the 2000s, and you love a concert-style musical that you get to interact with the cast.
Don't see it if You hate pop punk you don't enjoy interactive theater. Or if you hate fun.
See it if You like pop punk from the early 2000s, you enjoy shows with lots of energy (and a few bad words), you appreciate fully committed actors
Don't see it if You don't want to stand through a show, you're easily offended, you don't like pop punk, you expect Broadway-level sets
See it if Want some good old nostalgia. Want a funny show in a concert like atmosphere. Crazy funny characters even the minor ones (ie mom and dad).
Don't see it if Dislike standing for long periods of time. Not fond of profanity and crudeness. Don't want Avril Lavinge's soul to rest in peace.
See it if you love pop punk music and power chords; you like a bar-theater venue; you want to drink and rock out while being part of a show!
Don't see it if you don't like pop punk music; you don't like bars; you don't like to rock out to power chords; you prefer thought-provoking shows or plays
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'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.
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 ... Read more Read less
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 ... Read more Read less
See it if You are nostalgic for 2003, enjoyed pop punk, are willing to laugh at some raunchy humor
Don't see it if Sexual humor makes you uncomfortable, you don't enjoy some silliness
See it if you like raunch, enjoy an appealing cast & a clever book, and have a good set of earplugs.
Don't see it if standing up for 2 hours or seeing an eight foot long pink plush penis would bother you.
Also Arrived at 6 - stated start time of show. Immediately realized there w... Read more Read less
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 You enjoy funny musicals about teenagers in high school.
Don't see it if You don’t like rock musicals & don’t want to stand up during a show.
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 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 You like a fun, high energy, youthful musical. It was very well sung and danced. The characters were very funny if somewhat stereotyped.
Don't see it if It was very loud! If you have sensitive ears this is not for you. Also they play fast and loose with “obscene” language.
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. Stand... Read more Read less
See it if you like pop punk (blink-182, green day, etc). Fun evening with a good opening band.
Don't see it if You in no way like this type of music and/or hate standing. That sucked.
Cast & Creatives (19)
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