written by Steve Cosson, music and lyrics by Michael Friedman
Nobody’s Lunch is a dark ride through the landscape of American public culture. This show by the Civilians asks the thorny question — how do we know what we know when everyone in power seems to be lying? Is it possible to know what’s really going on in the world when information is manipulated to serve particular interests? Does anyone really care? Delving into the politics of information, the company—in its singular signature style—conducted extensive interviews. Interviews with subjects ranging from a policymaker to a plucky extraterrestrial to soldiers guarding the New York subway. A policymaker at Homeland Security on the verge of a nervous breakdown. A plucky extraterrestrial (channeled by an equally funny human) from every Jessica Lynch in the phone book (who was willing to talk). Soldiers guarding the New York subway with unloaded weapons. Turning these interviews into a mercurial cabaret-play, a versatile cast inhabits an eccentric cast of characters, all taken from real life.