As Oliver would say, "Please, sir, can I have some more?" Of course, that cuddly little waif probably wouldn't be asking for another helping of Cannibal! The Musical, the campy off-off-Broadway comedy. The musical, originally an independent film by "South Park"'s Trey Parker, will extend through May 26 at The Kraine Theatre under the auspices of a new company, the Saturday Players.
Cannibal! The Musical is a fictional account of Alfred Packer, the only American ever convicted of cannibalism. In this telling, Packer and his beloved steed Lianne set off with a group of gold miners hoping to strike it rich in California. When they become lost in a snow storm in the Colorado Rockies, however, the gang gets hungry and musical numbers ensue, including the man-horse ballad "When I Was on Top of You," "Hang the Bastard," "Let's Build a Snowman" and "Shpadoinkle Day" ("the sky is blue and the leaves are green/my heart's as full as a baked potato") as well as references to West Side Story, "Dixie," and, in two ballet sequences, Strauss' "Blue Danube" and "Swan Lake."
All the original tasteful (and tasty) titles belong to Academy Award nominee Parker, whose "Blame Canada" was performed on the Oscars last year. He co-created "South Park" and is now at work on "That's My Bush!," a parody of the new First Family.
The Saturday Players' artistic director Lisa Gardner adapted the film to be directed by Joan Eileen Murray. Starring in Cannibal! are Yoshi Amao, Ryan Brack (Packer), Kasey Daley (Polly Pry), Joshua Gilliam, Nadine Klein (Liane), Paul Lang, Jeremy Manta, Rob McDonald, Matt Parson (Bell), Elizabeth Quinn, Mark Ramsey, Scott Sanborn and John David West.
Designing Cannibal are David Hein (sets, lighting) and Julia van Vliet (costumes). Wendy R. Seyb and Jennifer MacQueen are the choreographers. Cannibal! also recently added Friday night performances. Tickets are $12 with reservations, $15 at the door. The Kraine is located inside KGB at 85 East 4th Street. For reservations, call (212) 539-7686. Cannibal! The Musical Live on Stage is on the web at http://www.canniballovers.com.
— By Christine Ehren
