Pokémon Live!

Pokémon Live! was a musical stage production that toured the United States from September 15, 2000 to January 28, 2001.[1][2] The musical was based on the Pokémon anime series, using similar characters, clothing, and story elements. The show uses songs previously released on the Pokémon anime soundtracks Pokémon 2BA Master and Totally Pokémon as well as original songs. Approximately 90 minutes in length,[3] the plot follows Ash Ketchum, Misty and Brock as they travel to a contest to win the much sought-after Diamond Badge. The event turns out to be part of a plan by the evil organization Team Rocket and its diabolical leader Giovanni to take over the world. The show was successful, but it was largely ignored by critics.[2][4] Despite the official Pokémon website mentioning plans for it, a home video release never came to fruition.[5] A planned television release was also scrapped. A cast recording CD of the show, however, had a limited release.[6] Plans for 2002 performances in the United Kingdom were also made,[7][8] but later cancelled.[9] Pokémon Live! was invited to perform in Dubai, U.A.E. at Al Mamzar Park in March 2001, coinciding with the annual Dubai Shopping Festival.[10] A Portuguese version of the show, produced by television company SIC, was performed from March 21 to March 27, 2002 at the Pavilhão Atlântico in Lisbon, Portugal.[11] A Dutch adaptation of the musical was performed on April 6 and 7, 2002, at the Sportpaleis in Belgium.[12][13] Chris Mitchell, the Production Stage Manager for the US tour, posted videos of the complete performance in Milwaukee's US Cellular Arena (dated December 30, 2000) in seven parts to his personal YouTube channel in 2012[14] and the whole performance in one video in 2016.[15] In September 2020, a user named Benjamin Delbert posted an edit using restored elements from almost every performance of the show's run on YouTube.[16]