Michael Cera takes over ‘No Shame’

Cora Perkins, Assistant Spectrum Editor 

What do a Lego sidekick, an awkward bass-guitarist and a Norwegian entomologist have in common? They are all played by beloved musician and actor Michael Cera.

Cera is a fan favorite among young adults and “No Shame”, VCU’s only variety show, put on a special iteration, displaying their love for him, “Cerapalooza” last Friday.  

The variety show consisted of all things Cera, with performances of his hit songs, most famous scenes and anything else best representing the undying love for the actor. 

The show began with a heartfelt opening speech about their love for Cera by co-hosts George Sullivan and Kylie Metheny, followed by the two performing a choreographed K-pop dance. 

The program continued with a multitude of different performances, including a speech about what it means to be a “Michael,” complete with a history of the name and famous Michaels,  multiple musical performances of famous songs by Cera and a love ballad between two “Superbad” characters. 

“Cerapalooza” also hosted the first “No Shame” roast of the season, an annual tradition for the variety show. 

The event comes from Sullivan and Metheny’s seven-year-long tradition celebrating the Canadian actor. 

“It goes really perfectly with the whole concept of  “No Shame,” we really try to focus on the weird and absurd things people can do,” Sullivan said. “We try to pick themes that make people come up with acts that are just kind of nonsense, so it fits with the “Cerapalooza” tradition.”

Shafer Street Playhouse, home to “No Shame,” was full of bustling Cera fans and students, according to Sullivan. 

“I was worried that people were going to be turned away, but we were still pretty much a full house of people just dressed up in their favorite Michael Cera attire,” Sullivan said. 

Novella Edwards was one of those students; she originally did not know a lot about Cera, but attended the show to support her friends. 

“I’m not a super big Michael Cera fan, but even then I really didn’t need to know a lot to have fun and to enjoy myself,” Edwards said. “Which is kind of beautiful about “No Shame” anyway.”

Edwards left Shafer Street Playhouse a new fan, excited to watch more of Cera’s movies. 

“There’s just so much music that seems to be involved with these movies and I really want to get into it now,” Edwards said. 

“No Shame” is a place for people to overcome feelings of embarrassment, Metheny said. 

“Especially in the period we’re in now, I think I just want it to be an artistic outlet for everybody and for people to be able to make art, no matter how weird and nonsensical it is, and be able to put it on stage,” Metheny said. 

The two co-hosts said they hope that if Cera had witnessed “Cerapalooza,” he would know how loved he is. 

“I think it’s interesting because he also came from a very much a live theater background, and so even though he’s in on the big screen now, the live theater community has his back and we’ll dance for him,” Metheny said. 

The two hope to see the tradition of “Cerapalooza” continue and for “No Shame” to continue to get weirder, just like Cera.