Here’s something that couldn’t have happened 10 years ago.

Thanks to the democratization of production and distribution, a self-produced cast album from a student-run theatre group at the University of Michigan made it oh-so-close to the top of the Billboard Cast Album Charts.

Yep, tucked between the original London cast recording of The Phantom of the Opera at #10 and Rock of Ages at #12 was Me and My Dick.

Oh, right, ahhh . . . this is probably where I should say that the subject matter of this student production might not be suitable for all ages (I can probably confirm right now that there will never be a Theatreworks tour of this show).

Regardless of the cheekiness of the humor in the show, you have to give HUGE props (yes, that was a Johnson Joke) to Team StarKid who produced MAMD (as well as their previous hit, A Very Potter Musical, which has racked up millions . . . yep, millions . . . of views on YouTube).  Clearly these guys know how to develop a creative idea that spreads like creamy peanut butter on a slice of Wonder Bread (sorry about that, I’m writing this right before lunch).

And they’ve monetized their idea as well!  The MAMD recording is available on iTunes.

The Billboard article about the charting MAMD says that the creators are waiting to hear if the show will be accepted into this summer’s NY Fringe Festival.

Ahhh, guys?  I’d bet my left and right you-know-whats that you get in.  And that you sell out.

Whether you’ll open at The Palace next season on Broadway?  Well, that’s another story.

Now, before I go sink my teeth into a peanut butter and fluff sandwich (or “fluffernutter” if you’re ol’ school), let’s all ponder what Lord Lloyd Webber said when he saw that right behind Phantom on the Cast Album Charts was a semi-profane student production.  Can you imagine?  “Me and my whaaaat?”  (It’s funnier if you say it with a British accent).

How are you getting your show noticed by people like Lord Lloyd Webber?

In the 21st century, you can make a cast album yourself.  You can make your own videos.  You can do your own press.

In the 21st century . . . you have the tools to do it all by yourself.  (and no, that was not a Johnson Joke).

You just need the desire.