Throughout the history of theatre, there have been many classic stories that were deemed impossible to turn into a musical. The student insurrection written of in Victor Hugo’s classic novel “Les Miserables”, is one, but it became a long-running multi-award winning show. The disfigured tragic masked genius of Gaston Leroux’s “The Phantom of the Opera” also became a long-running and multi-award winning show. Even the two-faced misunderstood psychopath of Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Jekyll & Hyde”, which should have become a long-running multi-award winning show, found it’s way to Broadway. All of these have been successfully translated from one medium to another and have been running in some form all over the world.

But up until now, no one has had the courage and fortitude to undertake what could possibly be the single greatest musical event ever, “Silence! Silence of the Lambs: The Musical.”

Yes, that’s right. Read it again. “Silence! Silence of the Lambs: The Musical.” Keeping in mind that I’m a huge fan of Musical Theatre, when I first heard about the existence of material for a fledgling musical based on the movie, I had to find out more about it. Clarice Starling, Hannibal Lector and Buffalo Bill have to be three of the most tragic characters in the history of literature, ripe for musical translation.

Okay, here’s where I get real. -SNAP- I’m back. The music and lyrics for “Silence! Silence of the Lambs: The Musical” were written by two brothers, Jon & Al Kaplan. Based on the information I read on their website for the show, I knew I was in for something a little… different. These guys obviously have a sarcastically sharp and twisted sense of humor, which is instantly apparent from the moment you read the titles of the songs (which are based on lines from the movie). Admittedly I gave a couple of them a double take. The moment I read the title, ‘Put the Fucking Lotion in the Basket’, I knew I had to hear it.

When I received the CD, I was a little hesitant to pop it into the player on the way to work. I commute with my wife, and though she has a pretty wicked sense of humor like me, I wasn’t sure how she’d feel about listening to a song called, ‘If I Could Smell Her C***.” I explained the premise to her and she agreed to listen with me. From the moment I put it in the player, all the way through to the end, I laughed my fool head off. My wife turned to me and simply said, “You’re a very sick individual.”

Now, my understanding is that “Silence! Silence of the Lambs: The Musical” is not meant to go anywhere past the point it is now. A collection of songs written solely for the purpose of proving the Kaplans can write music, while taking a stab at the jaded worlds of both musical theatre and film scoring. And in a way, I’m kind of sad about that. Granted, I’m hopeful it will get them the attention needed to get the film scoring work they desire, but I would actually love to see a real show produced.

I realize that sounds pretty stupid, but bear with me a moment. It’s apparent by listening to the CD that these guys certainly have a lot musical talent. It’s difficult enough as it is to write melodies that follow some of the traditional styles of musical theatre, but it can be even more so to write and produce it in such a way as to poke fun at those same traditions. It’s as if the music itself exudes sarcasm.

The lyrics were also very well written taking into consideration the whole project was intended to be no more than something fun to work on in their spare time. Aside from the fact that they aren’t necessarily meant for family consumption, all of the lyrics are actually quite clever. It’s obvious that a lot of thought had to go into this project.

What really worried me the most as far as my sanity however, was the fact that I could actually picture how some of the staging could be accomplished. Even in the song “We’re Goin’ In” which is sung by the FBI getting ready to burst into what they think is Buffalo Bill’s home, I could see a way to design the set so that the surprise of the scene as it played in the film could be recreated on stage.

As for my earlier comment about seeing the show move forward, if you look at the shows that get produced Off-Broadway and how bizarre some of them are, there’s no reason this one wouldn’t fit right in. Of course I know it would be difficult, with all the rights issues and production costs, but I for one would definitely find a way to see it, were it ever possible.

Initially I didn’t plan to write such a semi-serious review for something so off the wall, but after listening to it, I have to give credit where credit is due.

Music and Lyrics by: Jon & Al Kaplan
Additional Vocals: Colleen Sharkey and Tim Curran
Album Coordinator: Frasier O’Donnell
Website

We'll give Silence! Silence Of The Lambs - The Musicalan A.