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Intersections between sex, food and obsession are explored in SB Dance's new show, "Cannibal: A Love Story," billed as an "alternative Halloween for curious minds."

Company director Stephen Brown says one of his first goals with the show was to offer a performance geared toward adult psychology and sensibility.

The show tells the tale of a hard-boiled restaurant critic who ventures into the Heart of Darkness.

Brown said he likes the idea of doing a Halloween show because it gives him permission to mess with people more than usual. He said the idea of the show came before the title, but he had to name it before any of the work was complete.

"So the show grows into the name," he said. "For example, we don't really need to have a scene where we say, 'Oooh, this is about cannibals and love,' because the whole audience is already primed to experience both.

"As usual with me, the show walks a line between humor and horror. It speaks with movement, theater and, more than ever, with music, which is played live and onstage. The music for piano, bass and voice is a concert by itself."

The original score and arrangements by Jeffrey Price embrace diverse musical styles from jazz to Joni Mitchell to Strauss.

Brown said he's particularly excited to present the musical element of the show.

"We have world-class musicians and a vocalist who has worked internationally with symphonies and opera companies," he said. "We've got a Steinway onstage. When you add movement and theater, a huge toolbox is available to me as an artist and a unique product is available to the audience. I can use movement and music for emotional work — they tell us how to feel. I can use drama to build stories and characters — they provide context.

"Our audiences are always surprised, rarely bored and, dependably, newcomers walk away saying, 'I had no idea something like this was in Utah.' "

The piece features singers/actors Genevieve Price and Dan Larrinaga, joined by SB Dance's crew of dancers.

Genevieve Price came to Salt Lake City almost a decade ago from New York City after traveling the world performing and studying opera and ballroom dance. She was introduced to Brown by the owners of A Gallery, Brent Godfrey and Greg Rogler. "Brent just happens to be on the board of SB Dance company and thought it would be a great idea for me to come to a show and meet Stephen," she said. "Little did I know that Brent had other things in mind … a collaboration of voice and dance!"

While she won't give away anything about the storyline, she said there are sure to be some shocks along the way.

"I adore the SB Dance audiences," she said, "and I am so excited to be a part of feeding their ferocious appetite for surprising story lines." —

SB Dance's "Cannibal, A Love Story"

When • Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24-25, 8 p.m.; lobby bar opens at 7:15 p.m. and will be open after the show around 9

Where • Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 W. 300 South, Salt Lake City

Tickets • $15-$22.50; 801-355-ARTS (2787) or arttix.org

Info • http://www.sbdance.com; for mature audiences only