I am shocked at the popularity of Cannibal! The Musical among Nova students. And then again, I’m not. What’s not to love? If I had a dollar for every time a Nova student told me they hate musicals, and the only show they like is Cannibal!, I’d have enough money to go buy… a ticket to Cannibal! at the Market Theater downtown right now.
Yes, Cannibal!-ism is back, my friends! (Kidding about the cannibalism. Not kidding about the show.) The Market Theater (a tiny theater owned by Unexpected Productions, tucked into an alley behind Pike Place Market) had a production of the musical by Trey Parker last year around this time, and they have brought it back for this month by popular demand. Cannibal! is a hilarious musical comedy, as well as a slight spoof on the genre of Broadway musicals altogether. (Only a Broadway show would combine tap-dancing, line kicks, and an execution by hanging.)
The libretto and score are written by Trey Parker, who is, of course, half of the genius team behind the TV show South Park. That should give you an idea of both the appropriateness rating of the show, and the style of comedy involved. The musical is just a staging of the movie musical by the same name, also done by and starring Parker. The premise is a man who is being tried for murder and cannibalism — even though the killing and subsequent eating of the persons involved wasn’t exactly his fault. I enjoyed the show immensely, probably because the music, the story, and really everything is just thoroughly ridiculous. Production effects involve lots of prosthetic body parts being ripped off of actors, and very liberal use of fake blood. (Tip: if you don’t fancy the idea of fake blood, do not sit in the first two or three rows of the theater. You were warned.)
I don’t really feel I have to review or recommend this show to anyone, since most Nova kids seem to know what it is. However, I did feel it was my duty to make sure everyone knew that the show was back in town, with most of the same cast as last year. Cannibal! is showing three times per weekend at the Market Theater (1428 Post Alley) through the end of this month. Tickets from Brown Paper Tickets cost $12.00 for general admission and are available, along with a performance calender, here. TeenTix are also available for Cannibal!, as well as all other shows staged by Unexpected Productions. Have fun and enjoy the show!
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