March 25th, 2005
Before the creation of "South Park," and in the tradition of "Oklahoma" and "Friday the Thirteenth Part 2," Cannibal: The Musical was brought to life by first-time writer, director, Trey Parker using song and dance to tell the true story of America's only convicted cannibal, Colorado's own, Alferd Packer.
Nearly ten years after its original production, Cannibal: The Musical's legacy is beginning to resemble that of the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" or perhaps "The Producers!" Since Cannibal's theatrical debut in 1998, theater groups have been embracing the staged version of this cult musical. Thespians near and far have been adapting the original movie to stage with the accompaniment of live musicians, meanwhile, "Shadow Casts" have been performing live alongside the 35mm print of the film, in a "Rocky Horror" style.
Most recently, a high school theater group from Tucson, Arizona decided to perform this cult musical which has played primarily community and college theaters so far. The show is being led by student Zach Singer, who took great concern in editing out profanity and religious references to conform to standard high school guidelines. Despite his efforts, Cannibal received protest was put on review and then BANNED by the administration of Ironwood Ridge High School. The students had to perform "The Crucible" instead.
When The Ironwood Ridge Administration banned Cannibal: The Musical, student director, Zach Singer took his case to local newspaper, "The Explorer News," who gave him an in depth front page story that examined high school censorship and modern musicals!
The story was read by Oksana Sparks who runs the "Matlou Ranch Foundation" supporting Botswana Community Services. Oksana decided to take a stand for free speech and provide her community with an edgy musical and so she underwrote the show for an Off Campus benefit for her non-profit foundation. Tickets have been selling well!
Cannibal: The Musical Producer and Licensor, Jason McHugh stated, "I am thrilled that Cannibal: The Musical can survive censorship in Tuscon, Arizona to become a special benefit show for another community in Africa. Zach Singer and his cast displayed great courage to stand up for a show they believed in and now everybody wins!"
The shows will take place April 15th at 8pm and 16th at 3pm, 8pm, and 10pm at Zuzi's Theater, 738 N. 5th Ave. (near 5th and University) in Tucson, AZ. Tickets are $12 for students and seniors and $15 for general and can be purchased on-line at: www.arizonaonstage.org
Dad's Garage Theater in Atlanta was the first group to adapt the movie to a live stage setting and they met with great success during a three month run back in 1999. Highlights from the Dad's Garage Show were featured as a special feature in Troma's DVD Release of Cannibal: The Musical. Since then more than a dozen theater groups have embraced the show and added to the word of mouth buzz around this unique musical.
In 2001, New York City's Saturday Players brought Cannibal Live! to our nation's theater capital. Not only was the musical held over for three months, it received rave reviews from everyone, including Billboard Magazine, The Village Voice, and Ben Brantley of The New York Times. Most importantly, the show found an enthusiastic audience. Cannibal attracted many new die-hards who kept coming back again and again, dressed in costume and singing along with the actors. Saturday Players' Artistic Director Lisa Gardner, had this to say about the run: "We could've kept Cannibal around forever -- longer than Cats! No matter how popular we were, the theater was only available for six months and we knew we had to be out of there by August. The actors and the audiences all loved that show. We had fans come from as far as Australia to see the show!"
After the success in New York, New Cannibal Society has received interest from small theater groups across the USA and internationally too. In 2002 and 2003, Cannibal: the Musical was performed in several cities including; Chicago, Chico, Toronto, San Jose, Portland and Seattle.
2004 brings us the first International production of Cannibal: The Musical by the Rock Opera Company in Rome, Italy, their production debuted in November. New Cannibal Society is also proud to announce that there is now an official sheet music and an Adapters Guide available for the first time, which will greatly simplify the production of all future staged productions of the show. On top of that, "Cannibal Live! in 2005" already has several performances scheduled in cities including Phoenix and Tucson Arizona, Billings Montana, Victoria and Vancouver, Canada, Seattle, Savannah, Georgia, Lexington South Carolina and small New England tour too!
| Cannibal: The Musical - Live in 2005! | ||
| Providence, RI | Brown University | February |
| Phoenix, Arizona | Clouded Mind Productions | March |
| Tucson, Arizona | Ironwood Ridge High School | April |
| Savannah, Georgia | College of Art and Design | May |
| Lexington, SC | Lexington High School | May |
| Victoria, Canada | 3 Schooner Productions | July/August |
| Vancouver, Canada | Shrimp Pate Productions | September |
| Exeter, England | Hound Productions | September |
| New England Tour | Ghost Light Productions | Fall |
| Cannibal: The Musical - Live in 2006! | ||
| Germany | University of Regensburg | January |