Pokemon Live! Part 02 of 07

Pokemon Live! was a multi-million dollar musical stage show featuring the adventures of Ash, Brock, Misty, Pikachu, Giovanni, Team Rocket and the mechanical Pokemon, MechaMew2. It premiered on Broadway at Radio City Music Hall in September of 2000 and then toured the United States and Canada. I was the Production Stage Manager on the show. The video is a full stage shot with no close-ups, but the lighting is good and the quality of the video makes it easy to follow the action of the musical. The show is divided into 7 parts. The show was directed by Luis Perez of Broadway renown.

[@keyburrito]

Okay....there is seriously NOTHING better than Giovanni making all the Team Rocket grunts dance for him like a puppetmaster, standing on top of the balcony and laughing like a maniac. :o

[@sticknotes5467]

I can never look at Giovanni the same after this

[@Star_Lord_3099]

they should do a reborn of this show! i would love to start in this! im almost 16 and i still love pokemon! plus it would be a great way to get the kids who like the new pokemon into our gen that we grew up with

[@chrisscm]

Yeah, I think it would be a real shame too, but warehouse storage space for scenery is a premium around NYC area. I understand it would have made sense to sell them to Pokemon fans, but sometimes people don't do things that make sense. I really think they probably got thrown away. That is what happens to most Broadway sets too.

[@FlawsAndQuirks]

Yo if you wanna see a really good Pokémon musical, search "Pokémon: the Mewsical" it's by a bunch of college kids but it's FANTASTIC!!! seriously. It's so funny and clever and it has a bunch of references to the show and the games! 10/10 would RECOMMEND!!!

[@chrisscm]

What do mean? Was slapping removed from the anime? :\

[@LunaXShy]

That would be awesome. Ooo, how about a musical version of Mewtwo Strikes Back?

[@jacobg8640]

Who would love to teach the Mechamewtwo transform or splash

[@ohmigosh077]

they should make a pokemon diamond and pearl musical. I like the live action ash better.

[@KilamajaroKen]

There are quite a few adult jokes in this. I'm surprised the show got away with some of them.

[@EmmaBonn96]

I think they aimed a couple of lobs. Doing jokes that would just be far above the heads of the 6-8 year olds in the audience would be welcomed by bored parents who were dragged here.

[@GalaxyJazzGirl]

@@EmmaBonn96 I didn't hear any. The actor that plays James...……… is gay IRL

[@TheAlienmasterHD153]

@Kandinsky hero ytp and memes oh wow, 😂

[@TheDeadlySpinach]

This...... This is soooo bad its good!!!

[@chrisscm]

Ha!

[@Arrowdance]

Is bad if I admitted that Giovanni's song made me wanna dance? :P

[@Halicorn]

Can I join? XD

[@joetho1284]

I SNORTED IS THAT FREAKING ANDREW RANNELLS

[@JeanRodo]

+joe tho yup

[@Simple_Man_Golf]

Yes. Tony-Award winning actor Andrew Rannells got his start on stage in this. Gotta start somewhere.

[@erhsdtusrsrtjsrj56856]

this is the prequel to the book of mormon

[@GalaxyJazzGirl]

Darren is Giovanni. He also voiced Master Splinter in the 2k TMNT. So from boss rocket suit to a Japanese robe and fur

[@GalaxyJazzGirl]

@@JeanRodo Giovanni is Darren Dustin who later on went on to voice for Splinter for TMNT 2K

[@ThePokeman92]

It would have made my kid life if I could have seen this live. Shame too, I lived in new York when it was on Broadway and had no idea until long after it had been cancelled. Nowadays it'd make my adult life to be able to participate in a Pokémon themed show like this xD

[@monkeyscientist9913]

The playing Giovanni is amazing, he chews the scenery like a pro! I think he's more enjoyable than his TV show version.

[@EmmaBonn96]

5:38 And that's why Delia left you Giovanni

[@Halicorn]

Best comment win. XD

[@matousekdrizhal]

lelelel

[@MaskedMan66]

Kittfur Dixen In what way? It seems a little non-seq to me.

[@Halicorn]

MaskedMan66 just made me chuckle

[@MaskedMan66]

Kittfur Dixen Plainly, but why?

[@Zanybandz123]

giovanni kind of sounds like james from the tv show

[@jackmarmion6944]

HE DOES

[@MoonieTheMenace]

You noticed that too?

[@MaskedMan66]

Flaming Charmander games Actually, that's Darren Dunstan, who went on to play Maximillon Pegasus on "Yu-Gi-Oh."

[@ggrreentea5749]

Plot twist it's James in a costume

[@MaskedMan66]

Hatsune Miku So how is it that James and Giovanni share the stage in some scenes?

[@WattsTheSafeword]

OMG James is so fabulous XD

[@chrisscm]

Sorry David, this show will never see the light of day again.

[@dylantheultimategamer1444]

Why is that

[@chrisscm]

dylan the ultimate gamer Because it lost over a million dollars of the investors money.

[@ThePokeman92]

Chris Mitchell is there any chance of that pro shot recording you mentioned a while back being released? Certainly that wouldn't cost as much as a show revival.

[@ThatGuyfromBrazil]

Chris Mitchell Kind of a shame, this is actually not TOO bad. Easily worthy of a cult following.

[@GalaxyJazzGirl]

Chris Mitchell I loved Meowth =^-^=

[@chrisscm]

Yeah, Jessie and James' dance moves are pretty hilarious! They made them up themselves! :)

[@alphagamevlogs]

Man, it's weird seeing this in 2015. Well, what makes this weird is hearing the best friends song and then comparing it to the latest season of the Pokemon anime. With the way it's going, it seems that Ash and Serena may end up together in the future and Brock & Misty are nowhere to be seen.

[@cynthiaguo6693]

Yeah. I wish some of the older characters like max and misty will return to the anime...

[@spagheddie1673]

+Cynthia Guo I agree, they put a tonne of work into developing misty and then killed her off.

[@tonyc.0451]

I never saw this musical while I was growing up, but I love hearing "It Will All Be Mine" because this might as well be Pokémon's version of "Be Prepared." Just imagine Scar singing the lyrics: _"Let the circle of life prepare, Your Majesty beware, you fools shall not deny me!"_

[@towelgirl21]

James: *brings up "Don't ask, don't tell"* Me: *head explodes*

[@Gman224]

me: I FUCKING KNEW IT!!!

[@southy98]

I’m starting to see why the actor hated this role.

[@jaydemlowe]

It was a real shame this lost so much money, this show isn’t even bad, the singers talented, and the story is even good. If only it had released during the craze

[@AdventureMaster18]

Ok, I'm definitely am gonna watch this soon, but even if it's bad, which i don't know yet, i thank you for the upload! Most musicals are lost forever because no one records them, but you thankfully did, preserving history! I'm very interested since i found out you did something for this show, so may i ask, do you have any other extras? Like did you recieve any special material from the stage show? It doesn't really matter, since either way, I'm happy we can even watch this show at all. That reminds me, I'm planning to make a full version of this combining all the footage, would you be ok with that? Id completely understand if not.

[@chrisscm]

Hello. Just seeing this post now. Sorry. Hope you have watched it by now and somewhat enjoyed it. You asked if I have any other extras? What do you mean? I have stage management paperwork. That's kind of boring. Oh, and combining all of this together. I did that. It's posted as Pokemon Live! - FULL SHOW. If you want to download a nice .mp4 of it, message me.

[@ToaOfGallifrey]

I'm quite enjoying the show despite starting to watch it thinking I'd hate it. The only things that are annoying are Ash and Jessie's voices.

[@ThePokeman92]

Same, I was a bit worried it might not be entertaining seeing as I'm way past the age where I would watch ANYTHING Pokemon, but it's enjoyable even now. A few parts make me cringe though...

[@EmmaBonn96]

I came for Andrew Rannels's voice He's actually gay so it helped the Rocket scenes

[@kattayle]

THIS IS MY NEW HEADCANON AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME OTHERWISE

[@dawnhikari8437]

4:24 laugh my ass out loud ... shit I think my mom heard

[@cameronjr8]

Hey Chris, can u make Pokemon Live the cinematic version? I wanted you to make it in 7 parts.

[@DarthBarkerSithLord]

If I had the singing voice of Giovanni, I wouldn't be single.

[@WakoDoodle]

The amount of costumes, animatronics, statues and puppets for the pokemon are staggering but I'm amazed at how accurate they are as well. I would have loved to have seen this back when I was a kid. Was this ever on video or dvd? Or is this the only footage from it besides adverts?

[@writerchick4eva]

+IPsycho Doodle According to various accounts, just before the show ended in Chicago they did a close-up, HD, multicamera recording. It was supposed to go to DVD but never did, for some reason. Most likely because the tour wasn't very profitable so they possibly didn't see the point in a dvd release. The footage is till around somewhere, but nobody's been able to get it released.

[@WakoDoodle]

writerchick4eva Oh I see. So there is still hope! I'll be waiting for it then. I mean even seeing this 7 part video took me a few years to see it and still was worth it.; another few years won't matter to me . Until one day, a true pokemon fan will find it, save it and release it online for everyone to see AND offer it back to the director to sell or preserve it as much as he wishes. ^^ Anyway thanks for the update :)

[@GalaxyJazzGirl]

I'm SO glad these videos are still up. Bless

[@stealthclaw96]

I love the song at the beginning, Giovanni was the best character in the Musical, in my opinion. Seeing this actually makes me wish someone would make a musical based on the Pokemon Special Adventures manga....too bad it probably wouldn't happen :/ Um, a question for the uploader, what was it like, working in this musical? :)

[@princessgogo1996]

I wish this would get an official release. I like it because its so over the top and fun and the Pokemon series I grew up with. 😃

[@thupermonkeyballs]

Was it fun to work with Darren Dunstan, Andrew Ranells, Maddie Blaustein, Ikue Otani, and everybody else who participated in Pokemon Live? Hey, I know a Broadway star who would have love to be in this awesome Pokemon musical.

[@nocturneofeclipse]

Little known fact: all new Team Rocket grunts are required to learn the choreography for several different dances, just in case Giovanni ever feels like bursting into song.

[@tetails]

Giovanni sounds like Maximillion Pegasus, from Yu-gi-oh.

[@xRaineDropsx]

tetails The actor is Pegasus' voice actor ;)

[@MaskedMan66]

tetails That's because he is. I think this show got him that job.

[@tetails]

Yeah with the aftermath of Yugi-oh's old tv series gone down the tube it's, pretty clear that he had to of done this to, keep himself in the spotlight of acting I suppose?

[@MaskedMan66]

tetails No, this was before "Yu-Gi-Oh"; like I said earlier, this is what got the attention of the folks who dubbed "Yu-Gi-Oh" in the first place. And he's been working steadily ever since. In fact, he did some voices on "Pokemon."

[@tetails]

Oooooh ok then.

[@hcstubbs3290]

Poor Brock got birch slapped.

[@sunnick6010]

Hannah Stubbs Not once, not twice, but four times.

[@Evilgidgit4Ever]

I am glad what the show did with Giovanni. In the cartoon, he is very much your archetype supervillain who is often the victim for Meowth's weird delusions of grandeur (seriously, Meowth's fantasies are creepy). Here, there is definitely more depth to him and he is great fun as a character. Darren Dunstan really does a great job here.

[@Guassamandra100]

does anybody know ware I can get a better version. this is grate but it would be a lot better if I could see the caraters not just a whit blob

[@GatsbyCioffi]

That is in fact, Darren Dunstan, the voice of Pegasus. This part got him into voice acting later on

[@mpc1301]

The whole "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" joke at 2:23 was totally an adult joke to how feminine James is xD

[@thupermonkeyballs]

Giovanni (played by Darren Dunstan who also played Pegasus in Yugioh) went Broadway on our asses!

[@34jacymn]

when giovana or whatever started singing i almost died of laghter!

[@EmmaBonn96]

2:25 I forgot campaign finance reform was mentioned here, it's a lot funnier now that I heavily support it.

[@ToruKun1]

Giovanni sounds like Pegasus from Yu-Gi-Oh! OMG, a fucking Don't Ask, Don't Tell joke? XD

[@bradleygill9142]

the guy who plays giovanni is the voice actor for pegasus

[@ToruKun1]

Bradley gill Yeah I found that out later :D

[@DatWittyName]

Why does Giovanni sound like Pegasus?

[@ZakWolf]

***** Keep in mind, 4Kids actually co-produced this musical, so it was natural they'd bring a few of their voice talent to the stage!

[@EmmaBonn96]

James's actor Andrew Rannells's is also the voice actor of Mako Tsunami.

[@alextheduck8449]

mega mewtwo huh? they knew it this whole time :O

[@bradleygill9142]

mecha mewtwo

[@matousekdrizhal]

MECHA Mewtwo >>Read the F description

[@MrChillaxin2010]

Wait, Venasaur shouldn't have lost! 1. Poisonpowder is a non damaging move, 2. Venasaur can't even get poisoned because it's a poison type. HAX!!! I CALL HAX!!!

[@chrisscm]

Good point. HOWEVER, we had Pokémon experts at rehearsals and they hashed over this and decided that it was OK.

[@chrisscm]

He was in POKEMON LIVE! in 2000-2001. That was WAY before THE BOOK OF MORMON. He was just as talented back then as he is now. :)

[@nintendogamer75]

Geovanni is apparently the same actor who voices Pegasus on Yu-Gi-Oh. Awesomeness

[@lisakruger5241]

Giioovvvaaanii 🎵🎤🎶🎶

[@abbienarutogirl]

Jessie and James are annoying and hammy in a fun way. I love their fourth wall jokes. xD Giovanni steals the show in this part. It Will All Be Mine is fucking amazing!

[@chrisscm]

Glad you like Giovanni. He was quite good. Jessie and James really do steal the show in many ways. :)

[@chrisscm]

Yeah, "It Will All Be Mine" is a really good song. Sorry you didn't get to see the show live. :(

[@PokeDude011]

Alakazam was a little late for his cue.

[@jackwirtz5822]

That was a genius way of making a live show based on a popular TV series. For someone that directed this musical, its awesome how it suppose to be. I was about 5 years old when it hit the cities.

[@chrisscm]

The director, Luis Perez, is a great Broadway director.

[@chrisscm]

I was the Production Stage Manager on the show from beginning to end. I videotaped the show regularly to send back to New York City so they would know that I was maintaining the show. I kept many copies for myself. This is the best copy I have. It does not feature the full cast. Misty is played by Abbey O'Brien the understudy instead of Heidi Wehymueller. I think Abbey does a better job than Heidi. Heidi had a hard edge. Abbey plays Misty with an innocence and vulnerability that Heidi lacked. :)

[@KoopaLandInc]

"Alakazam has a whole arsenal." Four moves.

[@subscribeshows3527]

I wish it will be back. #FindPokemonLive

[@fluffymonkeys5]

My school is doing our version of pokemon live for our school play this year 😃

[@chrisscm]

Message me more information about it.

[@BlueBlazeKing]

Awesome

[@coolbasset]

vaughn pierre LUCKY LUCKY LUCKY WE AIN'T DO ANYTING heh heh meowth voice..... no? ok ;-;

[@k-master973]

I love how big the Pokemon community is :)

[@VictoriaAlmeida]

the meowth in this show sounds a lot like the one in the show... thats good cause it makes it more realistic

[@GrantWitherspoon]

I'm not sure, but it might be the actual voice actor from the show. A lot of 4Kids people also did Broadway. It's also possible Meowth's voice in Pokemon Live was prerecorded.

[@VanityVana]

If they did bring it back, they could do it bigger and better. Cgi, Vr, etc. The tech is there. Just have to find someone who would risk bringing it back

[@chrisscm]

Not a chance in the world of bringing it back... This show was a huge money loser! :O

[@pokemongirls1598]

Chris Mitchell really? :( how though? :(

[@chrisscm]

It was a lot of fun working with all of them. What Broadway star do you know who would have loved to be in Pokémon Live!?

[@Halicorn]

Oh this is too good XD Giovanni sounds more like Dracula than Italian HAHAHAHHAHA

[@inesred9270]

A grammy winner and tony nominated actor/singer is in this what is life

[@Gryzeus]

2:22 James sure seems to know a lot about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". Haha, thanks so much for posting this, Chris, it's a lot of fun.

[@chrisscm]

Sounds like a great idea! I'm all for it! :)

[@MirellaKFS]

I love Darren's voice

[@chrisscm]

Hi. Sorry for the late response. I have been very sick for two months. They have never licensed POKÉMON LIVE! for the rights for it to be performed by anyone else. It would be very difficult to do without the right costumes for Pikachu, Meowth, Jigglypuff and Psyduck. Also you need a lot of other Pokémon for different scenes. I'm not saying it couldn't be done, but it would be difficult.

[@chrisscm]

Sorry for the long delay in answering your question. I have been very sick and offline for two months. The cast complained about "how hard" they were working. They complained about the places we performed. We opened at Radio City Music Hall and then after that we played arenas all over the country so they missed the nice big theatre that they first opened the show in. They complained about the food the catering service provided. Basically they were treated like royalty and complained always!

[@chrisscm]

As I said, this is the best copy I have of POKEMON LIVE! The other videos have too much washout of the characters when they are in follow-spot. I don't think anyone will ever know the real reason behind why they did not release the DVD of the show that they professionally videoed in Chicago the last weekend the show was playing before it closed. I have never been able to find out what happened to the tapes or why the video was never made. Sorry... :(

[@chrisscm]

Yeah, I wish I had a video with closeups, but unfortunately I don't think I will ever get my hands on one. :( The closeups footage is locked in the vaults of 4Kids Entertainment and it's not even edited into a full version. We did a full video shoot of the show before we closed in Chicago with 4 cameras and that footage has never been edited into one video from what I have been told. Sorry... :(

[@chrisscm]

I do respect your opinion, but I have to say having been involved with the show from the first rehearsals that she was directed that way. She is a very talented actress. Once again, I appreciate and value your opinion and thank you for voicing it. That's what this message board is all about. Freedom to express yourself. :) Thanks! I hope you enjoyed the rest of POKEMON LIVE!

[@chrisscm]

There are many reasons. The show was too big and expensive to run, the budget was not handled well, the show was not advertised correctly and most importantly the show probably came out a year too late. The Pokemon craze was not as big in 2000 as it was in 1999. :(

[@thejerry18]

do you have a copy with close up's of the actors/actresses, if so could you upload one of those, and are there plans to release it on DVD or VHS or is there any place that I could buy or watch a copy of the performance with close up shots

[@chrisscm]

@XsaviorofthebrokenX Meet him? I worked with him as the Production Stage Manager for seven months on POKEMON LIVE! Yes, you could say I met him! He was very, very nice and a great guy to work with.

[@kotorguy64]

Oh I remember seeing this. And it's a funny story. My Parents were banging they're heads on the seats infront of them and saying "WHY?!?! THIS IS WORSE THAN THE FIRST MOVIE!" And to they're shock, I was doing the exact same thing.

[@Forgotten_Lore]

If thats what did happen (and what a shame that would of been) they could of sold them, those realistic looking pokemon costumes/pokemon puppets would of made them a nice some of money considering how many people still love pokemon even now.

[@EeveeMistress]

Ash... Driving? That thought has always scared me... I mean, he's had life and death experiences far too often... Imagine him in a CAR. And oh, the ticket's he'd get from speeding off to his next Gym Battle...

[@WittySomething]

"Bring me that Pikachu alive and unharmed." I don't think Jessie and James ever intended to bring Pikachu back dead and skinned >,>. And again, THESE SONGS. *Clutches at her chest.* THE FEELS, THEY...uh...FEEL.

[@justinm7531]

7:58 The background music was from Tentacool and Tentacruel and Tunnel Vision

[@DimeraFan28]

If only i can turn back the hands of time, and Bring this Musical back to the Present (2012). Maybe Have it on Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2012, But as the old saying goes, "Only a Person can Dream".

[@chrisscm]

No. I have no idea whatever happened to the props from the show. I imagine they were thrown away after being stored in a warehouse for a few years.

[@chrisscm]

@KameinuFK I didn't realize that Brock was not the ladies man. I thought that was how his character was supposed to be. Getting the girls ALL the time.

[@chrisscm]

@777hobo777 Andrew Rannells was wonderful to work with. He was the most professional member of the cast of POKÉMON LIVE. He was also a really nice guy.

[@busterwolf97]

Well at least I now know why Jessie and James remain trainees in Team Rocket. They overly excelled in the dance segment of the entrance exam. Just look at them dance moves lol.

[@DeathJunkE]

OMG!! I rember this! my mom brought me and my cousin tickets and made my big sis take us. we were like 7 and loved it and my sis was drugged up on benadryl XD oh good times!

[@Tabbychu]

omg i could NOT agree more!!! it would be so awesome!! if they ever do, like within the next few years or so since i'm already 17, I would travel pretty much anywhere to audition! xD

[@Nungael]

[@Forgotten_Lore]

Well, to be fair, if they DID do full out battles it would take up time they could be getting on with the musical so they did what they could do within the time restrictions.

[@HybrideMitum]

I wish they came out with that video they promised to come out with of the stage version. If I had a close-up of Giovanni, I'd never leave the my tv screen.

[@DivisionOtaku]

So that was what Pegasus did before being a flamboyant, cartoons loving card player? Being a flamboyant cartoonish gym leader? At least his villain song was okay.

[@Shikiwolf]

...It looks like Jessie and James are tring to break dance, and no matter how hard i try, i can't help but to laugh at them. and ah sexy voiced Giovanni

[@matt0044]

James: DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL! O.O Did... Did they... Did 4KIDS allude to James being... Oh My God! I mean, Oh! My! God! I'm not upset but... I'm just speechless.

[@000xyz]

I will control mewtwo and yugi's millenium puzzle. Then i will be able to take over kaiba corp and then the world!!!! Wooohoo hoo. Jessie and james: I'll give you everything on this I swear Meowth: just promise you'll always be there.

[@GalaxyJazzGirl]

Darren voiced Master Splinter for TMNT 2K. hmm Giovanni? then Splinter. Odd image. Master Splinter wearing Giovanni's clothes. | Meowth has cute kitty toe beans. :3

[@matt0044]

@chrisscm He could get some girls once in a while (if he was their type) though him getting slapped due to being flighty so to speak isn't too farfetched.

[@000xyz]

Jessie, james. Go to the johto region, and steal yugi's millenium puzzel and his unusually strong koriboh

[@pikachufreak19]

lol i had no idea i think he plays james very well but the guy who plays giovanni is brillent i think he plays his part better then anyone ease