Bubble Boy - Original Cast Recording

"Bubble Boy: Original Cast Recording" is the latest musical theatre project from the creators of the "Despicable Me" franchise, Dr. Seuss' "The Lorax," "Horton Hears a Who," and "The Secret Life of Pets," Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio. It is based off of their 2001 comedy cult classic (which starred a fresh-faced, pre-"Prince of Persia" Jake Gyllenhaal). Critics panned "Bubble Boy" the movie. "Bubble Boy" the musical gives the wild tale new life.

The musical follows a similar premise as the movie. Jimmy Livingston (A.J. Holmes) was born without immunities. His mother, Mrs. Livingston (Alice Ripley) contains him in a plastic bubble room to keep him safe from harm. It isn't until the girl next door, Chloe (Caroline Bowman), becomes Jimmy's friend that he realizes the world outside is much better than his climate controlled plastic cage. When their love is threatened by a wedding, Jimmy dons a plastic bubble suit, and travels cross-country to win Chloe from her rock-bro boyfriend, Mark (Matt Doyle). On his journey to stop the wedding Jimmy meets a cult, joins a biker gang, and steals a bus. He must get to Chloe before his controlling mother gets to him. Mr. Livingston is shyly played by Richard Kind.

"Bubble Boy" is comparable to "Bat Boy" in aesthetic. The songs of both shows are very catchy; the lyrics are quirky with varying levels of appropriate severity; sensitive subjects are bandied about with humorous insensitivity. Both plots approach the human condition with elements of light science fiction.

Unlike "Bat Boy," "Bubble Boy" does not satirize religion so much as it reveals the flaws of humans participating in a religion. Yet, the spiritual message isn't preachy; it's sweet. Paul and Daurio impress upon us that our differences make us beautiful.

Even knowing nothing about the musical and only the barest of minimums about the movie, it is still a great listen. Alice Ripley is excellent as always. She gives Mrs. Livingston more depth than is deserved. "Stay Clean" is an OCD ode to saving her son's life. Bowman rocks hard on this album. "Falling for the Boy," and "Decontaminate Me" have rockabilly possibilities. No song rocks as hard as "Something Called Forever." This number is easily the funniest, catchiest song on the album. Doyle and Gerard Canonico deliver the goods.

The album features a 32-page full color booklet with a synopsis and liner notes from Cinco Paul, as well as a note from composer Stephen Schwartz. The recording is produced by Cinco Paul, Kurt Deutsch and Justin Goldner.

The Original Cast Recording of "Bubble Boy" was released in both digital and physical formats on Friday, July 28 by Ghostlight Records. Performance rights for "Bubble Boy" are available through Dramatists Play Service. Learn more at www.Dramatists.com or www.BubbleBoytheMusical.com. Paul and Daurio's movie "Despicable Me 3" is currently in theaters.