Trustus Kicks Off Season with SILENCE! THE MUSICAL

Trustus Theatre opens up their 34th Season on their Main Stage with Silence! The Musical, an unofficial musical parody based on Silence of the Lambs, just in time for Halloween. Silence! The Musical, winner of coveted industry awards such as the New York International Fringe Festival Outstanding Musical Award, will run from Friday, October 5 through Saturday, November 3, 2018. Tickets may be purchased at www.trustus.org, or by calling the Trustus Box Office at 803-254-9732.

When Silence of the Lambs won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1992, the world never knew that it would become the subject of an award-winning musical parody. Now that musical comes to the Capital City in a hilarious production that's right on time for Halloween. Rookie FBI Clarice Starling (pronounced in the style of Jodie Foster as "Schtarling") matches wits with the brilliant but insane cannibal, Dr. Hannibal Lecter in order to catch the serial killer known as Buffalo Bill. Clarice faces her own demons while racing the clock to unlock Lecter's clues before another innocent girl is killed and skinned by Buffalo Bill. This laugh-out-loud naughty satire features a singing chorus of floppy eared lambs narrating the action as Buffalo Bill gleefully dances a hoedown while kidnapping hapless Catherine Martin. Even Dr. Lecter, scary as ever, sings about the life he'd like to lead someday outside the prison walls. Silence! The Musical combines whip-smart dialogue and shocking songs to make a musical parody of The Silence of the Lambs that's sure to be popular with seasoned fans of the movie and FBI rookies alike.

The music and lyrics of Silence! The Musical were written by Jon Kaplan and Al Kaplan and the book was written by Hunter Bell. Trustus Company Member Jonathan Monk will be directing the play with music direction by Randy Moore.

Silence! The Musical features an exceptional cast of professional talent including Trustus Company Members Kayla Cahill Machado as Clarice Starling, Patrick Dodds as Buffalo Bill, Abigail McNeely as Catherine Martin, Robin Gottlieb as FBI Director Crawford, Samuel McWhite as Dr. Chilton, and Trell Brennan as FBI Agent Ardelia. Guest Artist Mike Morales joins the cast as Pembrey. Finally, Trustus Company Member, Actors' Equity Member, and local favorite Hunter Boyle takes the stage as the famed imprisoned cannibal, Dr. Hannibal Lecter.

Director Jonathan Monk finds a deep connection to Trustus shows of old with Silence! The Musical. "As an apprentice at Trustus in the 90s, there was a tradition of bawdy, but well-written late night shows," says Monk. "I found more of a connection to the material that may be considered outré. I was able to empathize with the larger-than-life characters I saw onstage after the initial shock wore off, and that's a testament to good writing, acting, and direction. I am most excited to bring to the Trustus stage a piece that has the feel of those delightfully silly and occasionally offensive late night experiences, where actors and audiences can celebrate the energy of bold choices and even possibly empathize with a dancing serial killer. The entire cast is made up of true powerhouse collaborators-they throw themselves in headfirst. It makes my job much more enjoyable because they surprise me with the choices they're making.

If you're looking for a well-crafted parody with energetic performances and conceptual storytelling, you will certainly find much to enjoy. Laughter is so important and necessary right now-if you need a break from the news, join us and a roomful of strangers, and share what I hope is a ridiculous experience."

Hunter Boyle will be stepping on to the Main Stage to bring Dr. Hannibal Lecter to life for this musical.

"Lecter is such an iconic character in our popular culture-I think to make him frightening and humorous will be a huge challenge," Boyle says. "I'm excited about the process of creating that mixture. I think that devotees of the film, college students, and adults will gasp and be enthralled by some of the songs and actions on stage in the musical. It's a piece of theatre that challenges the actors since many actors play multiple roles, and the audience will enjoy the roller coaster ride!"

Silence! The Musical will run from Friday, October 5-Saturday, November 3, 2018 and tickets are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Trustus Theatre Box Office at 803-254-9732 or online at trustus.org. Opening night is Friday, October 4, at 8pm. The performances following are on Saturday, October 6, at 8pm; Sunday, October 7, at 3pm; Thursday, October 11, at 7:30pm; Friday, October 12, at 8pm; Saturday, October 13, at 8pm; Sunday, October 14, at 3pm; Thursday, October 18, at 7:30pm; Friday, October 19 at 8pm; Saturday, October 20, at 8pm; Sunday, October 21, at 3pm; Thursday, October 25, at 7:30pm; Friday, October 26, at 8pm; Saturday, October 27, at 8pm; Sunday, October 28, at 3pm; Wednesday, October 31, at 7:30pm; Thursday, November 1, at 7:30pm; Friday, November 2, at 8pm; and Saturday, November 3, at 8pm.

Silence! The Musical is sponsored by the University of South Carolina Department of Sport and Entertainment Management.

Photo Credit: Brad Martin of Trustus Theatre