by Gregory Crafts and Michael Gordon Shapiro
“…blissfully funny. A TYA treat worth taking a chance on.”
– The Columbus Dispatch
One of the best new TYA musicals for families!
Super Sidekick: The Musical
Action! Adventure! Romance! Ninja Koalas! There’s all this and more in Super Sidekick, the brand new TYA musical from rising L.A. playwright Gregory Crafts and composer Michael Gordon Shapiro, published by Concord Theatricals.
When famous superhero Blackjack the Bold is kidnapped by an evil sorcerer, it’s up to his assistant Inky to step up and save the day! Little does he know that he’ll also have to contend with Ninja Koalas, dark caves, secret weapons, and an abducted princess who’s considerably braver than he is.
Colorful characters, witty humor, and an upbeat catchy score make Super Sidekick: The Musical a treat for young audiences, and an engaging children’s theatre project for thespians of all ages.
Genre: Children’s Musical / TYA Musical, Comedy, Fantasy
Run Time: Approx. 50 minutes
Cast: 3 Male, 1 Female, 2-4 Either
Note on Casting: This show can be cast flexibly, either by reducing/doubling or expanding the ensemble. Suitable for companies of all sizes.
Learn More
Super Sidekick: The Musical
“The team behind Super Sidekick: The Musical have perfected the art of live-action cartoon. Even as a grown-up, I found it humorous, saucy and a lot of fun!”
– Linnea Covington,
The Happiest Medium
The Music
Book by Gregory Crafts
Music and lyrics by Michael Gordon Shapiro
Vocals: Scott Sharma, Jude Evans, Kailey Nicole Swanson, Shawn Cahill, Robyn Heller, Ana Therese Lopez, Lindsey Moore Ford, Ian Federgreen, Josie Yount, and Gregory Crafts
Guitars: Chris Kaye
Album produced by Michael Gordon Shapiro
Meet the Creators
Super Sidekick: The Musical
“Gregory Crafts’ book is funny and clear, providing a good foundation for Michael Gordon Shapiro’s brilliant lyrics, which get more impressive the closer one listens.”
– Matt Roberson
Critic, NYTheatre.com
Meet the Creators
Gregory Crafts
Librettist
Gregory Crafts grew up wanting to be a Ninja Koala. However, because he thought his parents would frown upon a career choice that involved him working as a hench-bear for an evil sorcerer, he decided to study acting instead. In 2006, Gregory began writing the story that would become Super Sidekick as a gift for his then yet-to-be-born nephew, Brody. Working on this script changed Greg’s life, as he got to know the girl of his dreams at the play’s first reading. That girl, Jenn, became his best friend and later his wife, proving that you can live happily ever after. For more information about L.A. Theatre, trying to break into “the business” or what it is to be a fanatical follower of the Boston Red Sox, Gregory recommends you check out his website, GregoryCrafts.com.
Michael Gordon Shapiro
Composer & Lyricist
Michael Gordon Shapiro writes music for film, television, the concert hall, live theater… really, anyone with a checkbook or convincing-looking IOU. He’s scored nine feature films including Home Room (starring Erika Christensen, Busy Phillips, and Victor Garber) and Against Time (starring Ean Merig, Robert Loggia, and Craig T. Nelson). His video game work includes music for Star Trek: Conquest, and Empire Earth 2 and 3. In addition to his work on Super Sidekick, he’s written a slew of award-winning, internationally produced miniature musicals which have recently been compiled into an anthology called A Feast of Snacks. His favorite super-hero, other than Inky, is Joss Whedon’s interpretation of Colossus. Visit Michael on the web at MikeMusic.com
Production History
Super Sidekick: The Musical
“When I went, the audience was filled with grown-ups who acted like kids in their total enjoyment of the piece and the actual kids that were there had an even better time!”
– Eva Heinemann,
Critic, Hi! Drama
Production History
Staged Reading
The first staged reading of Super Sidekick the play was mounted at Write Act Repertory, in Hollywood, CA, on October 9th, 2006.
World Premiere
Super Sidekick: The Musical premiered at The Sherry Theatre in North Hollywood on July 18th, 2010. The show was produced by Theatre Unleashed and directed by Jenn Scuderi Crafts.
Hollywood Fringe 2011
Super Sidekick: The Musical was a part of the 2011 Hollywood Fringe Festival. Produced by Theatre Unleashed, the show was mounted at the Actors Circle Theatre in West Hollywood.
Best of Hollywood Fringe 2011
Super Sidekick: The Musical an Official Selection of the Best of Hollywood Fringe 2011. Their Encore run was produced by Theatre Unleahsed and Combined Artform, and ran at Theatre Asylum.
FringeNYC 2012
Super Sidekick: The Musical was a part of FringeJr at the 2012 New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC), running at The SoHo Playhouse.
FringeNYC 2012 Encore Series
Super Sidekick: The Musical was the first FringeJr show to be awarded a prestigious invitation to the Fringe Encore series at The SoHo Playhouse.
Two Roads Educational Arts and Theater
Super Sidekick: The Musical was produced by the Two Roads Educational Arts and Theater at The Stephen Sondheim Center for the Performing Arts in April 2013.
The Treehouse Troupe Tour
The first touring production of Super Sidekick: The Musical was presented by Bowling Green State University’s Treehouse Troupe in Fall 2013.
The Eastside Story Guild Youth Program
The Eastside Story Guild Youth Program presented the first international production of Super Sidekick: The Musical at Grandview Calvary Baptist Church in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in July 2014.
Saginaw Valley State University Regional Tour
In Fall 2014 Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan became the second University to mount a touring production of Super Sidekick: The Musical.
Columbus Children's Theatre
Super Sidekick: The Musical returned to Ohio in October 2014. This time, the show went up in Columbus at the Columbus Children’s Theatre.
Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy
Super Sidekick: The Musical premiered in Kansas at Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy in April 2015. The production went on to win 3 awards.
Alberta High School Drama Festival
Students from St. Peter the Apostle Catholic High School brought Super Sidekick: The Musical to the Alberta High School Drama Festival in Canada in May 2016. They won four awards and an honourable mention!
Millikin University at the Albert Taylor Theatre
In October 2016, The Golden K Kiwanis of Decatur, IL sponsored a Millikin University production of Super Sidekick: The Musical at the Albert Taylor Theatre.
Tahquitz High School
In April 2017, Super Sidekick: The Musical returned to Southern California with a production at Tahquitz High School in Hemet.
Neosho High School
In November 2017, Super Sidekick: The Musical premiered in Missouri at Neosho High School.
Summit School
Super Sidekick: The Musical premiered in North Carolina at Summit School in November 2017.
Ashland Productions
Ashland Productions presented Super Sidekick: The Musical as part of their 2021 Summer Camp program.
Greater Ocean City Theatre Company
In August 2022, Greater Ocean City Theatre Company presented Super Sidekick: The Musical as part of their Summer Children’s Series on the Ocean City Music Pier.
Cyrano's Theatre Company
In April 2023, Cyrano’s Theatre Company in Anchorage, Alaska presented Super Sidekick: The Musical as a special weekend matinee run.
2012
2011
2010
2006
Save the Koala!
Super Sidekick: The Musical
“How many musicals can claim they have Ninja Koalas?”
– Laurel Graeber,
The New York Times
Save the Koala
The Australia Koala (inspiration for our own Ninja Koalas) is an endangered species. The team behind Super Sidekick: The Musical wants to change that by doing whatever we can to help them flourish again.
To that end, Greg and Mike have pledged to donate a portion of the royalties earned from all licensed productions of Super Sidekick: The Musical to the Australian Koala Foundation – a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and preserving the Australian Koala.
Furthermore, Greg and Mike will have a eucalyptus tree planted in Harrold’s Forrest, a Koala preserve, in honor of each company that mounts a production of Super Sidekick: The Musical. To date, there have been sixteen trees planted in Harrold’s Forest in honor of companies producing the show. Will your group be next?
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