Pokémon Live! The Forgotten Musical at the Turn of the Millennium

Pokémon Live! is a fascinating chapter in the franchise’s history, one that often escapes the attention of modern fans. This musical stage show, which toured the United States from September 15, 2000, to January 28, 2001, represents a unique blend of theater, music, and the popular animated series. In this article, we will explore the history of this extraordinary endeavor, its plot, music, and the legacy it left behind.

Production History

The idea for a musical show based on the adventures of Ash Ketchum and his friends originated with Norman J. Grossfeld, then president of 4Kids Productions. The company, responsible for the English dubbing of the animated series, decided to bring the adventures of the pocket-sized creatures to the stage, creating a spectacle for the entire family.

The show was directed and choreographed by Luis Perez, and written by Michael Slade. Interestingly, Slade admitted in a 2016 interview with GameInformer that before starting work on the show, he had virtually no knowledge of the pocket creature universe – he only knew Pikachu. To better understand the world he was about to bring to the stage, he watched the film “Mewtwo Strikes Back” several times.

John Loeffler and John Siegler, who had previously composed music for the animated series, were responsible for the music. The costumes were designed by Yvette Helin, who, in collaboration with Geppetto Studios, also created seventeen standing puppets representing various creatures.

The musical’s plot

The approximately 90-minute show tells the story of Ash, Misty, and Brock, who embark on a competition to win the coveted Diamond Badge. However, the event turns out to be part of a sinister plan by Giovanni, the leader of Team Rocket, who intends to take over the world.

Giovanni has created a powerful robot called MechaMew2, modeled after the legendary cloned Pokemon – Mewtwo he once possessed. This mechanical monster possesses a unique ability: it can copy opponents’ attacks and use them against them. To complete his plan, Giovanni only needs Pikachu’s electric attacks, which are the final moves MechaMew2 must learn.

A surprising romantic subplot is revealed during the play: it turns out that Ash’s mother, Delia Ketchum, was involved with Giovanni in her youth and was a member of his gang before she met Ash’s father. This plot element is an interesting extension of the stories known from the series and games, although it contradicts the Japanese radio dramas about the origins of Team Rocket.

Music and Songs

The musical featured both songs from the animated series soundtracks and brand new compositions. The songs included:

• “You & Me & Pokémon” – performed by Ash, Misty, and Brock
• “It Will All Be Mine” – Giovanni’s ominous song about his plans for world conquest
• “Misty’s Song” – an emotional song in which Misty confesses her feelings for Ash
• “Double Trouble” – Team Rocket’s signature theme
• “Two Perfect Girls” – Brock’s comical song about his tendency to fall in love
• “Pikachu (I Choose You)” – performed by Ash

An official soundtrack, titled “Pokémon Gotta Catch ’em Live!”, was also released, featuring all the songs from the show.

International Reach

Although the show was originally performed in the United States, its popularity led to international expansion. In March 2001, the musical toured Dubai as part of the annual Dubai Shopping Festival. The Portuguese-language version was performed at the Pavilhão Atlântico in Lisbon from March 21 to 27, 2002, and the Dutch version was performed at the Sportpaleis in Antwerp on April 6 and 7, 2002.

A UK tour was also planned for 2002, but it was canceled due to “unforeseen circumstances.” This mysterious reason remains a subject of speculation among fans to this day.

Interesting Facts and Controversies

Pokémon Live! has several interesting aspects that make it unique in the history of the franchise:

• Romantic Themes – Unlike the animated series, the musical openly explores Misty’s feelings for Ash, which became the source of her inner turmoil. The song “Misty’s Song” directly expresses her love, whereas in the series, these feelings were only subtly implied.
• DiamondShipping – The musical pioneered the so-called “DiamondShipping” among fans, pairing Delia Ketchum with Giovanni. The name comes from the Diamond Badge Giovanni offers to the coaches in the show.
• Future Stars – Two actors from the musical’s cast – Darren Dunstan (Giovanni) and Andrew Rannells (James) – later became voice actors in the English dub of the series. Rannells had a particularly impressive career, later appearing in Broadway productions such as “The Book of Mormon” and the television series “Girls.”
• Unfulfilled Plans – There were plans to release the musical on video and DVD, and even broadcast it on television. A professional recording was made during one of the shows in Chicago, but for unknown reasons, these plans never came to fruition.
• Original Character – The musical features a unique character – a deaf coach named Joe who owns a Jigglypuff. This is a rare example of disability representation in the pocket-sized creature universe.

Approval by Ikue Otani – According to information revealed in the documentary “Pokémon Live: How Pikachu Nearly Took Broadway,” the musical’s script had to be approved by Ikue Otani, the Japanese actress who voices Pikachu.

Contemporary Interest in the Pokémon Live Musical

While the Pokémon Live! musical remained largely forgotten for years, recent years have seen a growing interest in this aspect of the franchise’s history. In 2023, a 68-minute documentary titled “Pokémon Live: How Pikachu Nearly Took Broadway,” created by the YouTube channel Stuff We Play, was released, shedding new light on the production.

The documentary features interviews with playwright Michael Slade, actor Jesse Nager (Joe the Deaf Trainer), and Patrick Frankfort (Professor Oak), as well as rare archival footage from the musical itself. It reveals many interesting facts about the production, including the aforementioned story of Ikue Otani’s approval of the script and the attempts to create a completely new, original creature specifically for the show.

Although never officially released, recordings of the musical circulate online as bootlegs, allowing modern fans to experience this unique chapter in the franchise’s history. Many adult fans recall begging their parents to take them to the show, a testament to the musical’s profound influence on the younger generation of the time.

Pokemon Live! Musical – Summary

Pokémon Live! is a fascinating chapter in the history of the global phenomenon that is the pocket-sized creatures. This musical, combining elements of a Broadway play with the popular children’s series, demonstrates how versatile and adaptable this franchise can be. Although it never received an official video release and for years remained overshadowed by other media related to the series, its legacy has lived on thanks to enthusiasts and documentarians.

In an era when the franchise is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, some fans wonder if it’s time for the pocket-sized creatures to return to the stage. Whether or not we ever see a new musical version, Pokémon Live! remains a unique cultural artifact from the turn of the millennium that deserves a place in the history of this remarkable franchise.