Team StarKid's parody musical Workin' Boys follows executive Henry Hidgens, whose football-themed show is forced into a gender-swapped 'Workin' Girls' version amid chaotic rehearsals.
Key Takeaways
- The video is a comedic parody that satirizes theater production, corporate culture, and gender-swap adaptations.
- Its humor relies on absurd escalation, meta-commentary on musical theater, and self-aware references to the creators' own work.
- Musical numbers are used as a central comedic device, mixing upbeat pastiche with deliberately over-the-top lyrics.
What the video covers
- Opens with Henry Hidgens, a young executive, reminiscing about his six boyfriends and a field built on an empty lot on Ann Street.
- Henry's musical is chosen by producers from a Local Writers' Workshop, but they demand changes that gender-swap the show into 'Workin' Girls'.
- Cast members including Billy-boy and others react with comedic frustration to the script changes and to the 'football-but-for-girls' concept.
- A rehearsal sequence escalates with absurd interruptions, including demands to speak with Mrs. Cloverleaf and a debate over why a basketball is used.
- Henry's executive storyline runs in parallel, with stock-market crises, phone calls, and a boardroom in which he must cut costs.
- Henry delivers a monologue about his secret past and a tragic loss of friends, which is undercut by the cast's irreverent responses.
- The show spirals into increasingly chaotic territory, including a shooting and cast members breaking the fourth wall.
- The finale features the ensemble performing 'Business Calls' and a dramatic triumphant conclusion as the audience reacts.
Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown
Speaker A
(dramatic mysterious music) It begins with a spotlight on me, Henry Hidgens. The youngest executive the firm has ever seen.
Speaker A
I sit at my desk. Deals, memos, contracts all await my signature. I reach for a pen, and then I see it.
Speaker A
I sit at my desk. Deals, memos, contracts all await my signature. I reach for a pen, and then I see it.
Speaker A
♪ Just an empty lot on Ann Street ♪ ♪ Between State and Catherine ♪ ♪ Just me and my six boyfriends ♪ ♪ Our work was about to begin ♪ (lively upbeat music) ♪ We had that beat up old house on Ann ♪
Speaker A
The picture frame at the edge of the desk... My boys.
Speaker A
♪ We can build it up and they will come ♪ ♪ Again, and again, and again, and again ♪ ♪ A sprinkling of Bermuda ♪ ♪ We watered it every day ♪ ♪ With some elbow grease and can-do-ya ♪
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♪ They said it isn't long enough ♪
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♪ They said the cops will kick you off ♪
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♪ They said that seed it just won't take ♪
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♪ But that field it had to be made ♪
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Congratulations, Professor Hidgens. (Hidgens sobbing delightfully) - Oh, yes! Oh yeah! Thank you! Oh, this is...
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♪ Just an empty lot on Ann Street ♪
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♪ Between State and Catherine ♪
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♪ Just me and my six boyfriends ♪
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♪ Our work was about to begin ♪
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- Professor. Uh... Professor. Remember the changes. - Ugh, right. I'm sorry. I mean... Workin' Girls.
Speaker A
(lively upbeat music)
Speaker A
But I believe, in spite of these horrible changes, that together we can make this show even better.
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♪ We had that beat up old house on Ann ♪
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♪ Our shelves were littered with liquor cans ♪
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♪ But we needed a place to be best friends ♪
Speaker A
♪ Be best friends ♪
Speaker A
Um, every single time, the characters actually say "football-but-for-girls." My suggestion is that they just call it "football." - Mm-hmm.
Speaker A
♪ When Chad spotted the empty lot ♪
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♪ He said, as long as we don't get caught ♪
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- Uh... - You think you can do what I can do? I can show you my resume! I can show it to you right now!
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♪ We can build it up and they will come ♪
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♪ Again, and again, and again, and again ♪
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♪ A sprinkling of Bermuda ♪
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♪ We watered it every day ♪
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♪ With some elbow grease and can-do-ya ♪
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- Yeah, and they'd come struttin' down from the sorority house with one thing on their minds!
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♪ Our field was ready for play ♪
Speaker A
♪ We made it work tonight ♪
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♪ We made it work tonight and all day ♪
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♪ We're gonna make it work tonight ♪
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♪ We're gonna make it work tonight ♪
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- Too late. - I was just wondering, um, could you tell me a little bit more about Secretary #4?
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♪ And we'll live forever ♪
Speaker A
♪ Chad ♪
Speaker A
- Oh, I love that. - Do you know why she's called Secretary #4? Because there are three others that talk first.
Speaker A
- All right, Professor! That... That's enough.
Speaker A
Not even a little. All that matters is that you say the whole line exactly as it appears in the script.
Speaker A
- Are you sure? I'm happy to go through it. I'm about to get a call from Greg.
Speaker A
- Again. - Excuse me. Who are you? - Again, damn you! - Excuse me! Who are you!?
Speaker A
- No need, Henry. The producers have made their decision. Out of all three submissions to the Local Writers' Workshop, they've chosen yours.
Speaker A
- Okay. Thank you so much for that direction. That's actually really helpful. - Never speak to me again.
Speaker A
Congratulations, Professor Hidgens.
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- I said sell the stocks now, dammit. We need to cut costs and maximize profits.
Speaker A
(Hidgens sobbing delightfully)
Speaker A
Sorry, ladies. Business. - How do you do it, Henrietta? How're you such a success in the cut throat world of business?
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- Oh, yes! Oh yeah! Thank you! Oh, this is...
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(dramatic music) - Where are the balls?! Thank you! - Why a basketball? - I don't know.
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Oh, it's all I've ever wanted! Thank you.
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♪ To be balls to the wall ♪ - I demand to speak with Mrs. Cloverleaf at once!
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- There is just one thing...
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- No, no, no! Like this! All right, boys- - Girls. - Right, right. All right, boys. Go long!
Speaker A
- Yes?
Speaker A
- I demand to speak with Mrs. Cloverleaf at once! - Excuse me. Who are you?
Speaker A
- The theater's gonna put up the money, but we'd like to see a few minor changes.
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♪ Balls to the wall ♪ ♪ Big fat fuckin' balls ♪ - I demand to speak with Mrs. Cloverleaf at once!
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- Changes?
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- Never again! - Got it. Thank you so much for the note. (tense music) (gentle lively music) - All right, everyone.
Speaker A
(dramatic music)
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- Oh no, no. - Did I ever tell you ladies why I wrote this show?
Speaker A
(dramatic music continues)
Speaker A
We used to gather on a green of our own. Just like the boys in the show.
Speaker A
(lively music)
Speaker A
Our wet, sinewy bodies tackling each other. It sounded so titillating. - I just came.
Speaker A
This show. This journey we're about to embark on together, represents a lifetime of secret dreams, sleepless nights, and silent tears.
Speaker A
I was the only survivor. I dug my way free from my dead friends' charred bodies.
Speaker A
Welcome, you privileged few, to the most important day of your lives. The first rehearsal for Workin' Boys!
Speaker A
I'm glad my friends are dead, so they didn't live to see you make a mockery of their memories.
Speaker A
- Professor. Uh... Professor. Remember the changes.
Speaker A
- [Workin' Girls] Thank you, 10. (tense music) - Thanks for coming tonight. Alice ditched me. So did Paul.
Speaker A
- Ugh, right. I'm sorry. I mean... Workin' Girls.
Speaker A
- Ah, don't mention it, Billy-boy. Not gonna miss something called "Workin' Girls." This show's about hookers, right?
Speaker A
Apparently a musical about six men bonding on a football field isn't "of the times." Doesn't pass the "Bechdel Test," whatever that is.
Speaker A
- No. You'll eat the snack I brought you. - Fuck this. Fuckin' raisins. - That's what they're called.
Speaker A
But I believe, in spite of these horrible changes, that together we can make this show even better.
Speaker A
- In sex. - Check out the Photoshop touch-up I did on Ruth's headshot. She wanted me to accentuate things further, but I went for a more natural look.
Speaker A
I don't want this to be another shameless gender-swap. I want to speak truth to the female experience.
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I'm so excited! (lively dramatic music) ♪ They said it isn't long enough ♪ ♪ They said the cops will kick you off ♪ ♪ They said that seed it just won't take ♪ ♪ But that field it had to be made ♪
Speaker A
So please, if you have any ideas, comments, concerns, suggestions, they are more than welcome.
Speaker A
♪ We're gonna make it work tonight ♪ ♪ We're gonna make it work tonight and we'll live forever ♪ - Miss Hidgens, business call on line two.
Speaker A
Yes, Hailey?
Speaker A
There's a lot of good women's jobs counting on you, Henrietta! - I know that! I know that better than anyone.
Speaker A
- Yeah, I have a suggestion.
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- Business call on line four! (upbeat dramatic music) ♪ Business calls ♪ ♪ I'm up to my ass in shit ♪ ♪ What is this business ♪ ♪ Markets are crashing ♪ ♪ And I'm at the edge of my wits ♪
Speaker A
- Go ahead.
Speaker A
(phone ringing) - Excuse me. Who are you? Excuse me. Who are you? No okay.
Speaker A
- Uh, in this script, the Workin' Girls play a lot of football.
Speaker A
- [Group] Woah! - Oh yeah! I can see 'em now. Those tight little college boys with their long legs and those hourglass figures, woo!
Speaker A
- But for girls. It's football but for girls.
Speaker A
This audience is a bunch of idiots. (emotional piano music) ♪ Every day the same ♪ ♪ You call my name ♪ ♪ To ream me out and then proclaim ♪ ♪ That the stocks are down and it's all my fault ♪
Speaker A
- Yeah, uh, that's how it's referred to.
Speaker A
♪ To me and me only ♪ ♪ You thought you keep me to do your bidding ♪ ♪ But now I'll see my new beginning through ♪ ♪ Got a two week notice for you ♪ - I'm gonna be sick.
Speaker A
Um, every single time, the characters actually say "football-but-for-girls." My suggestion is that they just call it "football."
Speaker A
(soft ominous music) - [Workin' Boys] Henry... Henry... - Who's there? (soft ominous music) - It's been a long time. Hasn't it, Henry?
Speaker A
- Mm-hmm.
Speaker A
Never come to a show on opening! We haven't worked out the kinks yet! - The show is dog-shit, Henry.
Speaker A
- It would make things a lot less wordy.
Speaker A
- Chad's not going to be happy, Henry. Not happy at all. - Chad's coming?
Speaker A
- Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Do you wanna direct the show?
Speaker A
- Oh God, I can't allow Chad to see this travesty. - There's still time, Henry.
Speaker A
- Excuse me?
Speaker A
- You've always known. - Yes... Yes, I do. - Do it, Henry. For Chad.
Speaker A
- If you know better than I do, why don't we just cut out the middle man?!
Speaker A
Yeah. That's it. - [Zoey] I demand to speak with Mrs. Cloverleaf at once! - Okay.
Speaker A
- Uh...
Speaker A
- Excuse me. Who are you? - Ruth, I'm in the show. What's my line?
Speaker A
- You think you can do what I can do? I can show you my resume! I can show it to you right now!
Speaker A
The youngest executive this firm has ever seen! And I'm gonna save this company! - How do expect to stop the factory from closing?
Speaker A
Oh, excuse me. I need a moment. There! That's my resume. Look at it. And tell me.
Speaker A
- Pig-what?! - We're gonna make footballs-but-for-girls! - Footballs-but-for-girls? That'll never work! - Oh yeah?
Speaker A
Do you... want to direct... my show?
Speaker A
♪ Markets have crashed ♪ ♪ I'm all out of cash ♪ ♪ What about Chad ♪ ♪ I'm up to my A-A-AAAASS ♪ ♪ ASS ♪ (audience applauds) - Ugh, I was flat. Did I sound flat?
Speaker A
- No.
Speaker A
I'll do better next time. - There's not gonna be a next time, Ruth. Not for you. Not for any of you.
Speaker A
- Get out.
Speaker A
- What do you think of the show so far? - It's fucking transcendent. - Huh...
Speaker A
(gentle lively music)
Speaker A
Act Two's about to start. That's what those lights mean. (lively music) - I told you a thousand times to annunciate!
Speaker A
Now... Who wants to play Zip-Zap-Zop? Hmm?
Speaker A
- I'd like to to apologize for everything you've seen thus far tonight. As you can tell, certain members of the cast are unable to continue their performance.
Speaker A
(tense music)
Speaker A
- In fact, let's just start the show over again. I may have to play every role, but as they say: "The show must go on." So ahem.
Speaker A
- Here we go. From the top of page 23. Act One, Scene Five.
Speaker A
This is really happening! (audience screaming) - Shut up! Shut up! You are to stay in your seat for the duration of the performance!
Speaker A
(Workin' Girls laughing)
Speaker A
(gun bangs) (audience gasps) (tense dramatic music) - I told you to stay in your seat!
Speaker A
- Do you girls remember all the play we used to get on this field?
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- But you're a cop. - Yeah. So? - You have a gun. Do something.
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- [Group] Woah!
Speaker A
♪ Five o' clock can't come soon enough ♪ (gun bangs) (soft angelic music) - Wow.
Speaker A
- Oh yeah! I can see 'em now. Those tight little college boys with their long legs and those hourglass figures.
Speaker A
with the edge of the sword! (gun bangs wildly) (Grace shrieking) (dramatic music) ♪ I can't wait to get home ♪ ♪ To my ♪ ♪ Boys ♪ (dramatic triumphant music) (audience screaming) (Linda applauding) - Woo!
Speaker A
- Yeah, and they'd come struttin' down from the sorority house with one thing on their minds!
Speaker A
♪ Fumbling ♪ ♪ 6 AM, the car rolls in ♪ ♪ I'm already beginning my working day ♪ ♪ But five minutes in ♪ ♪ I'm already crumbling ♪ ♪ Why did I even come in ♪ ♪ Ugh ♪
Speaker A
- Remember when we challenged 'em to that game? Shirts versus skins! That got their tops off!
Speaker A
♪ It's a way to make a living ♪ ♪ Everyday you make ♪ ♪ Your business calls ♪ (lively funky music)
Topics:Team StarKidWorkin' Boysmusical parodycomedyHenry HidgensWorkin' Girlstheater satiremusical theatersketch comedyworkplace comedy











