Team StarKid's Cult 'Hit The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals' Set for West End Debut

LONDON, U.K. — The American theatrical collective Team StarKid is set to make its full-length West End debut with its horror-comedy musical, The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals. The production will play a strictly limited two-week engagement in London, promising to bring the show's unique blend of sci-fi terror and musical satire to a new international audience.

A History of Viral Success

Team StarKid originated at the University of Michigan in 2009. The group quickly rose to prominence and amassed a massive global following with their unauthorized online parody, A Very Potter Musical. By uploading their low-budget, high-energy productions to YouTube, StarKid cultivated a dedicated fanbase and has since garnered over 358 million views across its channel. This online success allowed the collective to transition into a professional company, producing and touring original works characterized by their use of fantasy, pop culture humor, and highly accessible scores.

The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals (TGWDLM) premiered in Los Angeles in 2018 and is considered one of StarKid's most successful productions. The show's professionally filmed recording has since amassed over 9.4 million views on YouTube, cementing its status as a contemporary cult phenomenon and driving intense demand for this West End transfer.

When the World Starts Singing

The musical is set in the fictional town of Hatchetfield, where the protagonist, Paul Matthews, harbors a deep and abiding hatred for all things musical theater. His life turns into a living nightmare when a mysterious alien entity crash-lands nearby, infecting the town's residents. This infection forces victims to burst spontaneously into elaborate, high-production song-and-dance numbers, transforming Hatchetfield into a horrifying, inescapable musical apocalypse. The show functions as a satirical commentary on both horror tropes and the nature of the musical genre itself.

Creative Team and Cast

The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals was created by Nick Lang and Matt Lang (Book), with music and lyrics by Jeff Blim. The London run will be directed by Lauren Lopez and choreographed by James Tolbert.

The core cast for the London run includes:

• Jon Matteson as the protagonist Paul Matthews,

• Mariah Rose Faith Casillas (Zoey / Ensemble),

• Jeff Blim (Sam / Ensemble),

• Joey Richter (Ted Spankoffski),

• Lauren Lopez (Emma / Ensemble),

• Corey Dorris (Bill Woodward)

• Jaime Lyn Beatty (Charlotte / Ensemble).

Venue, Dates, and Ticketing

This will be StarKid’s first full-length West End run, following two previous sold-out concert appearances at the London Palladium. The show will play a strictly limited engagement at the Apollo Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, with performances running from Thursday, May 14, 2026, through Saturday, May 30, 2026. Tickets are available for purchase through the Apollo Theatre box office and major theatrical ticketing agents.

Performances are scheduled to run Tuesday to Saturday evenings, with matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. The show has a running time of two hours, including one interval, and carries an age guidance of 10+ due to strong language and mature themes.