Thoughts While Watching SK Homecoming
I was literally smiling and laughing like an idiot while watching these wonderful amazing people and thinking of all of the memories from years of enjoying their musicals. I am so glad I bought the digital download because they deserve all of the love and support. Just a word of warning I will be spoiling what happens throughout the show so if you haven’t seen it yet and/or you don’t want to have anything spoiled for you, I would not proceed any further. You have been warned. Also, as the show is over two hours long, buckle in cause this is gonna be a doozy and I have a lot of feeling about this wonderful show.
Disclaimer: these are just my own personal thoughts and opinions as a long time fan of Starkid, please don’t come at me.
1. Darren is so cute with how he encourages and interacts with the crowd, you can tell how much he loves Starkid and loves the fans
2. we stan a founding knucklehead of Starkid
3. I am so proud of the musical daddies as they conduct a literal orchestra!! how far they have come!!! also, hearing all of the songs with the orchestra is such a treat.
4. I am living for Jeff Blims outfit! the eyeliner, the necklace, the vest!! honestly, iconic.
5. It is so funny to me that they had to edit out fuck from their songs, i.e. “i mean what the what”; “tiger lover”; “he porked a tiger”.
6. Did they change the octave that they were singing, because Jeff seems to be struggling?
7. I love how Jon Matteson looks the same as he did TGWDLM, he is Paul.
8. I don’t know why but the TGWDLM medley is increasing my appreciation for Jeff, previously who wasn’t really on my radar in terms of my favorite starkids, but I love his little dance moves and funny things he does
9. Robert Manion fucking performs the hell out of show stopping number and I am here for it every single time. I feel like he can’t help it and you can tell he’s into it because he can’t help but make the Hidgins face and wiggle his hips. Also, THE BODY ROLLS I AM LIVING FOR THEM !!! (@9:10)
10. Both Mariah and Jon are confirmed working boys and I love them for it. I love that Corey brought Mariah in at the end to make sure she was included.
11. Okay but Lauren Lopez knows how to perform like she knows how to work and engage a live audience. I so enjoy watching performances like this where there isn’t a wall between performer and audience because I think that that’s when she shines. I also feel like the same applies to Rob, Joey, and Darren, they are just so fun to watch.
12. How are all of these people so attractive!! I especially love Lauren’s outfit, but that’s probably just cause I love her so much.
13. I don’t know why but Brian’s “I still don't know!!” at 12:08 gets me every time.
14. Joey’s look behind him for his shadow at 12:24 while he bops kills me.
15. The orchestral swell at 13:05 with “this is the dawn” is so beautiful.
16. Lauren's arms are unbelievable, but we already knew that
17. 14:43 where Joey and Lauren walk and then turn back is so funny to me.
18. The second naked in a lake kicked in at 17:05, I got so hype. also, love that Corey took off his jacket during the song.
19. All the different faces and actions during the “fasters” at 19:54 are so good.
20. I never realized how tall and gangly Clark was until the Ani section, the boy's limbs are too long for his own good and I love it. His voice is so beautiful though!!
21. Joe calling Twisted the first-ever live-action Disney remake is iconic and no one can tell me otherwise.
22. I was legitimately afraid for the buttons on Joe’s shirt at 27:43.
23. Britney Coleman and Carlos Valdez singing 1001 Nights was a wonderful surprise and literally so beautiful, also their exit as Dylan started singing was so cute.
24. I’m kind of sad that they didn’t actually sing Twisted in the medley cause that was one of my favorite songs, but I understand that they had time constraints.
25. After 32:38, I feel like I need to watch the Lego Batman movie to see how similar it is to HMB.
26. Semi-disappointed that they didn’t do the usual choreography for the “I want to be your friend forever” part, but I respect that the handheld mics restricted them.
27. The bass or guitar or whatever in the background at 36:30 was so groovy, I was a fan of that.
28. Tbh, I didn’t really get Denise’s whole bit about how Starship is a show only for dreamers, it just felt a little off to me.
29. I’m a little bummed that Joey didn’t sing Status Quo, but I like that they gave it to Mariah and Alex who both have lovely voices. I appreciate that they had a moment to shine when they might not have because they are newer members/ only had a small role.
30. Brian and Jaime’s eye contact with the camera at 40:48 is so powerful and I’m here for it.
31. Joey mouthing the lyrics at 41:21 is so funny and I love it.
32. AJ’s little jump in the background at 43:02 is so cute.
33. Their constant need to have to avoid saying dick throughout the whole MAMD section is so good and hilarious, with so many expertly timed entrances from AJ Holmes and Joe Walker.
34. Joey saying no to the different microphones at 44:00 is absolutely artistic and fucking hysterical. It gave me similar vibes to Bo Burnham’s bit about seeing the most beautiful penis at a urinal.
35. 45:40, AJ Holmes is a delight of a man, need I say more.
36. “Do I smell?” “Pretty bad.” 45:07
37. Seeing Meredith and Brian standing next to each other at 48:49 makes my heart so happy cause this is what brought them together and now they are married and it’s amazing.
38. “We’ve written on all of the Starkid shows” 50:46, what a powerful statement.
39. I had no clue that the Starkid movie (1997) was a thing and I love that Nick just straight-up roasted it.
40. The subtitles at 52:56, dramatical instrumental music. I am here for it, I love this revamped version
41. Darren is so extra singing Goin back to Hogwarts and I am here for it. Our boy has grown so much!
42. Pulling out the glasses at 54:03 is a power move.
43. I’m not sure about how I feel about people singing along to the songs during this. I know it is supposed to be for the fans but don’t people want to just sit back and listen to how amazing these people are and just enjoy. Maybe that’s just cause I only am viewing it through a computer and if I had been there I might have felt different, but who knows.
44. 56:05, AAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!! It’s Bonnie!!! She looks amazing and I’m so happy that she’s here!!!
45. Joey trying to the clap in the ear with mic at 58:04.
46. 58:16, I love how Darren always hypes up the crowd for Lauren’s entrances as Draco, he’s done this a number of times and it makes my heart so happy how he supports his friends.
47. I love Lauren so much the way she moves across the stage at 58:57, the power stance at 59:05...absolutely incredible.
48. I love seeing Rob in the chorus cause he was a fan, he loves AVPM just as much as we do and now we get to see him up there performing one of the most iconic songs. It honestly just makes my heart so happy.
49. 1:00:12, Dylan emerging from the audience is honestly so funny to me and I love him for it. Also, I love the ongoing trope of the “welcome” getting progressively longer each time they perform the song. Bless Dylan’s lungs and abilities to sustain that note.
50. 1:03:45 Jim little butt taps are so good.
51. The saxophone at 1:04:19 is so enjoyable.
52. I like how the slowed things down for Home at 1:06:10 with Darren sitting on the stage just having a personal moment with the audience, it was really nice.
53. Darren’s hops at 1:08:45 are so adorable and I love them.
54. I know that AVPM songs are iconic and everyone loves them, but I would have liked to see them so some more songs from AVPS and AVPSY, especially since they had some time rehearse them and there would be no mic issues.
55. Yay for a Bonnie and Meredith duet, both women are wonderful and have done an amazing job as Hermione and I love them both.
56. “Art imitates life a little bit on that one”, it’s okay we love you Darren with your silly guitar.
57. I didn’t think watching this would be educational, but I now know what a litmus test is and what slant rhymes (aka really pushing it rhymes) are thanks to Darren and google, so there’s that.
58. This may be a bit controversial but I feel as though this was one of the weaker performances of Granger Danger, usually Joey and Lauren have fun with it and I love it when they do, but this time they seemed to be more going through the motions. There were good moments (i.e. Joey’s hips, Lauren sliding down the mic stand, the back and forth head turns) but overall it was just kind of eh.
59. Darren’s twirl at 1:28:36 is delightful.
60. I firmly believe that AJ has permanently memorized the fantasy monologue and I refuse to let anyone tell me otherwise, 1:31:10. Also, I’m curious if it was planned because someone in the audience calls out for it, but that might have been a plant so who knows.
61. I just realized at 1:32:20, where he’s talking about mouse wives and concubines that would be bestiality. He only shrunk his size down, he would still technically be a human...
62. Tyler Brunsman singing Guys like Potter is now kind of funny considering AVPSY and Cedric ending up with Lily in the afterlife.
63. Joe Moses face at 1:38:57 is classic Snape and I am here for it.
64. Another yay for Sidekick, this is one of my fav AVPSY songs and Joey kills it every time.
65. 1:43:19, goddamn that man can hit a high note.
66. I love the addition of Rob to Everything Ends, what a pretty song and Rob’s voice works wonderfully with it.
67. 1:44:58, Rob struggling with the mic is hilarious.
68. Classic Snape speech at 1:46:30, simply inspiring.
69. I love Jaime and we all know her voice is incredible, but something seemed off during Not Alone and at times it sounded like she was struggling.
70. 1:51:56, I don’t know if I just don’t know much about music but Joey’s make was a little off, but on another note, I think it would have been really sweet if they had let Lauren sing too so that Draco could finally add to that harmony.
71. That sick piano rift at 1:54:33, hell yeah!
72. Even though they always use Days of Summer as the closing song, I love it every time, it’s just so fun and gets me so emotional.
73. That key change at 1:56:50 tho.
74. Yay for enthusiastic but sometimes questionable fanart ;)
75. Brian and Joe recreating the ending scene of AVPM is absolutely beautiful and I am here for it.
76. The matching jackets at the end speaks to the fact that Starkid at its essence is just a bunch of friends who were theatre nerds and wanted to create something fun together and I think that's wonderful.
In conclusion: Props to whoever made it to the end of this ridiculously long post summarizing the different thoughts I had while watching Homecoming. I truly think it was something for the fans and I love them for it. I am so proud of Starkid and all they have accomplished since 2009.
I want to encourage others to continue to support Starkid in the future, maybe even by purchasing Homecoming for themselves, I would definitely recommend giving it a watch. Also, feel free to respond and let me know your own thoughts on Homecoming, I’m sure there’s lots I missed and I would love to hear what others thoughts.
