Things discussed, decided upon, conferred over, concluded, determined, pre-determined, pre-destination, chaos theory, black holes, plasma particles, quantumn signatures, corn.

So, why has Cannibal! The Musical The Shadowcast been postponed? Here is the basic answer, copied from the Cannibal Yahoo group:

Most of you should know me but if you don't I'm the producer for BB&G. Shannon's already sent the print update, but here's the full story.... It falls to me to write a pretty tough email. First things first. CANNIBAL** WILL ** go on tomorrow night, and it will be great. However, if you were at the rehearsal last night at the theatre, you know the print had not yet arrived. The print was booked many weeks ago by Scott, the booker for Grand Cinemas in Tucson, contracts were signed, and it was confirmed last week and supposedly shipped via UPS ground last Thursday, the 2nd. Which would give it 9 days to arrive. Even allowing for the extended Holiday weekend, it should be here by now. The film is from TROMA, who are based in New York (not Florida). And their storage facilities are apparently in Illinois (not Florida). Somehow, though, the hurricanes (in Florida) affected their shipping schedule so that we won't have it until Monday morning. (Please note heavy sarcasm.) Kent, the owner of Grand Cinemas, thinks this is bullshit. And while I'm normally too nice a guy to be that blunt, I tend to agree. He is livid and mortified at this, and so am I, and so, especially and obviously, is Justin. Regardless, this is NO ONE'S fault. Not mine, Justin's or Grand's. We can blame Troma, UPS or the hurricane if we like, but that's unproductive and won't change anything. Shit happens. Finding blame is a waste of energy. (Also, this was NOT through any lack of follow- through on my or anyone else's part; as I said, the print was confirmed over a week ago, and since Tuesday, I've emailed Troma and Grand daily, and been calling them since yesterday. Troma didn't respond until this morning.) We're the Miracle Cast. We've gotten through shit before and we will again this time. The bottom line is, THE SHOW WILL GO ON. Justin is renting a video projector as I write this so that we can use the DVD. I have given the OK to put about $100 in cast funds towards this. I have every reason to believe we will recoup this if not directly from Troma then from the incentive from our monthly take. I will speak to Troma and Grand and see what kind of reparations can be made. Also, Grand is helping us with the setup, selection and sound of the video projector—one of their guys from Tucson is even coming in to set it up and has made suggestions about the best kind of projector to use. IN THE MEANTIME: PLEASE give Justin every courtesy and maybe a little space. He's worked his ass off and poured his heart and soul into making this thing great for MONTHS. If he's a bit on edge over this please consider the circumstances. This is his baby, his dream project and for this to happen is VERY uncool. I have every confidence he's going to do a great job regardless, as well as everyone in the cast. Obviously, I don't look forward to telling the audience their movie will be video projected. You all know how I feel about the audience and living up to their expectations. The alternative was cancelling or rescheduling the show, and with people coming from out of town for this, as well as the promotion and media coverage, that was obviously out of the question. But nothing like this has ever happened to us before. I think we'll be given some understanding. Regardless, we'll make the best of a bad situation, and in the long run, I have every faith it will work for the best. If anyone is interested in it, the exact email from Rob at Troma is copied and pasted below. Genuine Love Matt ********************************************* ORIGINAL EMAIL FROM ROB AT TROMA Ok I reeeeeeaaaaaaaaallllllllllyyy hate to be telling you this right now, but I just got off the phone with UPS and they said due to the hurricane, they've had minor delays with some shipping. And unfortunately they said there is no way to have the package to you before Monday morning. It was send out last Thursday, which generally means you would be receiving it on Wednesday of the next week, but I guess with the one day holiday and then the hurricane it some how got delayed. We tried everything to get it there, changing the instructions to overnight, pay for same day delivery, etc but they said its impossible. It left Illinois on Wednesday morning and they have no way of getting to it before it arrives with you guys on Monday. Apparently they're sending it aboard a packing mule, because I really have no idea why it was only in Illinois on Wednesday, and will take until Monday to arrive with you guys. I sincerely hope there is something you guys can do, like a projector for the dvd, etc. Please feel free to do a few more screenings with the print once it arrives, if you guys have access to the theater. Hopefully you'll be able to do a few more nights next week or the week after with the whole production you guys are doing tomorrow. Again a million apologies!!!!! Please let me know if you guys are able to do. Rob

Shortly after this message was posted to the Cannibal Yahoo group, this unfortunate follow-up was posted:

All, Writing on behalf of Justin, who will understandably need a day or two to chill out and cool down...(so please don't bother him unduly). CANNIBAL is going to have to be rescheduled till next Saturday, the 18th. If anyone scheduled to perform in CANNIBAL cannot make this date, please post here and/or on the CANNIBAL board ASAP so that Justin can make whatever changes are needed. If anyone scheduled to perform in ROCKY either next Friday night in Chandler and/or next Saturday night in Phoenix as WELL as Cannibal feels it is too much, then please let ME know ASAP so that I can recast. I don't want anyone dying of exhaustion. FYI, this decision was not reached lightly or easily. Justin and I spent hours on the phone today back and forth with assorted video companies, in Phoenix and Tucson, and were in constant contact with our theatre (I even underestimated HOW pissed they are, btw....not at us but at TROMA/UPS.) We considered every possible option. In the end, it was a matter of time and circumstances. Also, again, this was NO ONE'S FAULT. So let's make the best of it, do a kickass show tomorrow, and hope we still have an audience for CANNIBAL the following week. As I said, Justin doesn't want to be too hassled with lots of calls right now, so extend any sympathy to him via the board, as well as casting changes if need be. Just give him a bit of time alone. (He will be contacting the preshow hosts about someone filling in for him tomorrow.) Genuine Love Matt

So there you have it. Although it was stated that nobody actually dropped the ball on this, one has to wonder how exactly a hurricane in Florida could cause problems with UPS ground shipments from Illinois to Phoenix. The answer there is simple. It can't. IMHO, UPS dropped the ball here, BIG TIME.
-Ratajski