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Jonestown: The Musical Draws Criticism |
San Francisco – In an ongoing, and what some consider, disturbing trend, a horrific event in human history will once again be used as the basis for a comedy musical theater production, Underneath Politics has learned.
Despite protests from some Northern California residents, Jonestown: The Musical will debut at San Francisco's El Geronimo Theater next month.
"Mr. Jones moved his followers to Jonestown from Northern California, so the mass suicide he was responsible for is still a painful topic around here," said longtime San Francisco residence Dorothy Gayle. "To make a joke out of a tragedy that has had such devastating effects on your neighbors is incomprehensible."
Though the majority of the plot remains a secret, Ms. Gayle has obtained some information regarding the show's content. |
"The opening number alone is horrific enough in itself," she said. "The man portraying Jim Jones stands and front of his followers and sings a song about making sure to pack enough grape Flavor Aid, which, laced with poison, is what the followers of the real Jim Jones ingested in order to induce their death. It's just horrendous."
Jonestown: The Musical producer Miles Slidell points to the fact that, like productions such as Mel Brooks' The Producers, the villain is portrayed as a bumbling idiot. "Jim Jones was a sinister man, and we certainly don't treat him with respect. In fact, we're pretty brutal."
Among other liberties taken by the Jonestown: The Musical writers, Mr. Jones sings the speech in which he explained to his followers the procedure in which they would die. "Take a sip, drink it down; but don't go out with a frown. It's got cyanide, Valium, and Chloral Hydrate; we'll all be dead very soon, at this rate," the song begins. "Start with your kids, then kill yourselves, then I'll go; I've made it where there’s no way you can say no."
"It's definitely a dark musical/comedy," said Mr. Slidell. "But once you hear the music and see the dance numbers, you'll realize that you're in for an evening of laughter and good times, despite the murder/suicide element." |
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