Karl is dead. This much we know immediately. Exactly who Karl is and why he has met such an unfortunate demise is the subject of the latest No Refund Theatre production, The Karl is Dead Show, a gleefully macabre musical-comedy from the quirky imagination of its writer-director, Nate Kushner (junior-English).
The play, a series of short vignettes all related some how to the mysterious death of Karl, will run tonight at 8:30 p.m. and tomorrow night at 8 p.m. in 111 Forum.
Kushner, who also provides the sound effects for the play in addition to playing guitar during the musical interludes, calls the play a "darkly humorous" enterprise that "has to be seen to be believed."
The Karl is Dead Show is the latest of the almost weekly output of theatrical performances staged by NRT so far this fall, following Romeo and Juliet, True West, and Boy's Life. A group of students established NRT in 1992 so that non-theatre majors could participate in campus drama.
Boasting a membership of over 70 students and averaging 20 performances per school year, NRT has certainly blossomed to unforeseen heights. Following The Karl is Dead Show, the prolific troupe will produce seven more plays before the end of the semester. The shows are open to the general public and are presented free of charge (hence the title).
Rob Pugh (junior-marketing), co-writer and assistant director, has this to say about the production: "There's no way to explain it; you'll have to see it for yourself." Perhaps the reason why it is particularly difficult to describe the play is because it deals with a blissful diversity of genres, ranging from the crudely bizarre to the totally absurd, but winking slyly at the audience all the while.
The Karl is Dead Show also showcases the talents of Monkey Pot and the Inside Jokes, an upstart band of NRT members who provide background and transitional music. In one of the sketches in the show, the band assumes a major role.
The revolutionary musical sketch "Helen Keller Comes to Dinner," the first attempt by NRT at musical theater, is sure to stick in students' minds.
Kushner and Pugh wasted no time putting their opus together. Rehearsals began on the first day of school and have continued five days a week uninterrupted since.
In the true style of guerilla theater, which NRT represents, each of the seven cast members portray several different characters throughout the performance. In lieu of elaborate costumes or sets, The Karl is Dead Show makes full use of its three-person crew as well as a set, furnished by the University Park Allocation Committee and individual donations.
About his motivation for joining the cast, Sean Kelly (senior-film and video) cites the innovative author as his primary reason: "After seeing Nate's show last fall, I wanted something to do with (The Karl is Dead Show), because his writing is both funny and bizarre."
It is only fitting that such an offbeat show should merit a rather unusual publicity campaign as well. After weeks of leaving cryptic flyers in assorted buildings throughout campus — on which were written vague teasers like "Did you hear about Karl? It's not looking good," — the cast of The Karl is Dead Show launched a full-scale publicity campaign this week, which featured, among other things, cast members sprawled on the ground in public places with posters for the play taped to their backs.
It certainly promises to be an interesting experience. As Kushner advises, "If you're someone who's easily offended, that's good; it means we won't have to work as hard." Adeptly stated by a master of words.
The show lasts two hours and 20 minutes with intermission included. Anyone is welcome to attend . . . except Karl, of course.
