Photos: Kelly Ripa and John Kander visit SILENCE! The Musical

SILENCE! The Musical, the unauthorized parody of The Silence of the Lambs, with book by Hunter Bell ([title of show]), music & lyrics by Jon and Al Kaplan, and direction & choreography by Christopher Gattelli (South Pacific, Newsies), began performances at The 9th Space Theatre at PS122 (150 First Avenue at 9th Street) on October 25th.

David Garrison ("Married With Children," Wicked, Titanic) leads the cast as Dr. Hannibal Lecter and is joined by Jenn Harris (Modern Orthodox) who continues in her critically-acclaimed role as Clarice Starling, Stephen Bienskie (The Last Session) who continues as the notorious Buffalo Bill, Lucia Spina (Legally Blonde) who continues as Catherine Martin and Deidre Goodwin (Chicago) who continues as Ardelia Mapp. The rest of the cast includes: Callan Bergmann (Lucky Guy), Pamela Bob (People Like Us), Harry Bouvy (Spamalot), Ashlee Dupré (Where's Charley?), Howard Kaye (Mamma Mia!), Topher Nuccio (Little Shop of Horrors), and Doug Trapp (Saratoga Trunk Songs).

SILENCE! The Musical is a parody based on the Academy Award winning film. Rookie FBI agent Clarice Starling 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.

Created by Jon and Al Kaplan in 2002, SILENCE! began as a collection of songs on the internet which immediately attracted a staggering number of fans. The Kaplans' subsequent screenplay SILENCE! The Musical was adapted by Hunter Bell into a live stage show, which also featured newly composed songs by the brothers. Fueled by a rabid cult following, SILENCE! shattered every box office record at the 2005 FringeNYC Festival, winning the award for Best Musical. SILENCE! The Musical met with further success in London where it garnered ecstatic reviews at the Above The Stag Theatre.

Set design for SILENCE! The Musical is by three-time Tony winner Scott Pask, with costume design by David Kaley, lighting design by Jeff Croiter, and sound design by Carl Casella.

For more information, visit www.SilenceTheMusical.com.

Photo flash: Ritchard Druther

  Kelly Ripa, Michael Consuelos (Kelly's son), and John Kander

Jenn Harris, David Garrison, Michael Consuelos, and Kelly Ripa

Kelly Ripa congratulates the cast of SILENCE! The Musical

Howard Kaye, John Kander, David Garrison, and Stephen Bienskie