Broadway actor and legendary voice talent Stuart Zagnit—best known as the original voice of Professor Oak in the “Pokémon” television series—will officially join the cast ofBALLS: The Monster-Catchin’ Musical Comédy for an initial limited pop-up performance at CAVEAT NYC, the acclaimed Lower East Side comedy venue that “champions nerdy, funny art – and sells cheap drinks” on April 18 and 19, 2025.
Zagnit, who has portrayed Professor Oak for decades in various formats, is just as thrilled to return to his roots in this fresh and fearless reimagining. “I’ve always loved playing The Professor,” said Zagnit. “But THIS universe is on another level. BALLS takes everything fans love and gives it a wild twist. I’m so excited to be part of it!”
BALLS is a genre-smashing, nostalgia-packed, interactive experience where original music, chaotic comedy, and monster-catchin’-inspired satire collide.
Zagnit’s casting brings a one-two punch of Broadway polish and iconic nostalgia to the immersive parody already making waves in New York’s alt-theatre scene. Known across the globe for voicing the wise and whimsical Professor Oak, Zagnit is also a seasoned stage veteran whose Broadway credits include Newsies, Seussical, Caroline, or Change, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, The Wild Party, and Little Shop of Horrors. On-screen, Zagnit has appeared in “The Blacklist,” “Bull,” “Instinct,” “Jessica Jones,” “The Good Wife,” “Elementary,” “Blue Bloods,” “30 Rock,” and “Law & Order” (five times!).
BALLS, creators Brandon Zelman & Harrison Bryan say there’s a lot more than a familiar voice to look forward to. “Stuart is a generational talent. Never in our wildest dreams could we imagine the ACTUAL Professor playing… OUR Professor. It’s going to be a cathartic experience, watching Stuart Zagnit invite audiences into our satiric world of dreams and adventure – a unique world, it feels, we built just for him, for this very moment.”
Joining Stuart Zagnit (“Pokémon,” Newsies, Seussical) as “Professor” are previously announced cast members Teresa Attridge (Avenue Q, Fun Home) as his grandson, “Rival,” Harrison Bryan(Hand to God, NYIT Award Winner) as “Warlordturtle,” Ebony Deloney (Hairspray, Beautiful) as “Fat’Chance,” Kurt Cruz (Asian AF, UCB) as “Pocket Pedia,” and Katie Luke(Bandstand, Hairspray) as “Spittle.”
Created by Brandon Zelman (“Who’s That Pokémon?” Podcast) and Harrison Bryan (A Hanukkah Carol, NYIT Award winner), BALLSfeatures an original score by a dream team of composers including Lena Gabrielle (SIX, Emojiland), Pippa Cleary (My Son’s a Queer, The Great British Bake Off Musical), Joriah Kwamé(Little Miss Perfect, Pursuit of Happyness), Aaron Kenny (The Little Mermaid, A Hanukkah Carol), and Grace Yurchuk (Caesar: The Musical). Additional music by Matthew Ryan Hunter (NBC) and Allan Nalven (LSDJ), with orchestrations, arrangements, music direction & supervision byLena Gabrielle. The creative team includes Director/Art Director Brandon Zelman, leading a scrappy squad of puppet-builders: Kelly Autry,Brendan Malafronte (“Malafronte’s Monster Shop”), Cat Greenfield, Genna Beth Davidson, and Harrison Bryan. Lighting design: Sasha Lysenko. Collectabuddy Art: Frankie Novick (“Frankiefurters”). “PlayBALLS” Game Producer: Michael Chin. Graphic design: Brielle DeMirjian (The Daily Show). Stage Management: Mayah Lourdes Burke, Starr Wimber, Hera Ford.
During its previous presentations, BALLS has been called “A proper laugh-fest…this show wears its Pokémon inspiration proud on its sleeve.” – Nintendo Life; “Turn your hat sideways and make your pets fight in this hilarious…unique interactive experience.” – Games Press; “Project we love!” – Kickstarter; “From beginning to end; every performance is a new adventure.” – Broadway World.
BALLS is proud to partner with local marine life rescue and turtle rehabilitation centers to raise funds and awareness for wildlife conservation—because even Warlordturtles need a little love.
BALLS: The Monster-Catchin’ Musical Comédywill be presented on Friday, April 18 at 7 pm, and Saturday, April 19 at 4 pm & 9:30 pm. Live-stream tickets are also available, so fans around the globe can join the journey. CAVEAT NYC is located at 21 A Clinton St, New York, NY 10002. Tickets are on sale now at ballsmusical.com.
BALLS: The Monster-Catchin’ Musical Comédy is a parody written as a transformative work under US Fair Use laws. “BALLS” is not authorized, sanctioned, licensed or endorsed by any brand, organization, franchise, underground cock fighting ring, or person, living or dead.
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