Way Off Broadway to Stage SPAMALOT
By: Tyler Peterson Jun. 14, 2016
Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot tells the legendary tale of King Arthur's quest to find the Holy Grail, and features a bevy of beautiful show girls, not to mention cows, killer rabbits, and French people. Throughout the show, Arthur, traveling with his servant Patsy, recruits several knights to accompany him on his quest, including Sir Bedevere, Sir Robin, Sir Lancelot and Sir Galahad. On their way, they meet the Lady of the Lake, Not Dead Fred, the Black Knight, and the Knights who say Ni.
In 2005, Monty Python's Spamalot took Broadway by storm. Opening at the Shubert Theatre, Spamalot brought together a cast and creative team of comedy heavyweights to create one of the most irreverent and entertaining musical comedies of all time. The cast was led by Tim Curry and included David Hyde Pierce, Hank Azari, Christopher Siebert, Christian Borle, and Sara Ramirez. Under the direction of legendary director Mike Nichols, the classic film Monty Python and the Holy Grail came to life on the New York stage.
The show was an instant success, both with critics and audiences. When awards season rolled around, Spamalot received fourteen Tony nominations, taking home the prize for Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical (Nichols), and Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Ramirez). It also won the Drama Desk Award for Best New Musical of 2005.
By the time Spamalot closed on January 11, 2009, after four years on Broadway, it had played 34 previews and almost 1,600 regular performances. Over two million people had seen the show and it had made over $175 million.
As the show was entertaining audiences on Broadway and across the country with the First National Tour, a production crossed the pond and opened in London's West End in 2006, returning Spamalot to the land of King Arthur and its origin. Reprising his role in London, Curry received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical. In addition to Curry's nomination, Spamalot received six others including Best Musical and Best Actress in a Musical (Hannah Waddingham).
The phenomenon of Spamalot was made possible because of the success of the British comedy group Monty Python, whose members included Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin. Together they created the hit BBC television series Monty Python's Flying Circus.
Airing from 1969 to 1974, Flying Circus was a sketch comedy show like no one had ever seen. Not only did the comedians write and perform the material, they pushed the boundaries going well beyond what had been seen on television until that point.
The popularity of the television series allowed the "Python phenomenon" to expand to include live stage shows, films, albums, and books.
Monty Python's Spamalot will make its Frederick-area premiere at The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre, running July 22nd through September 17th with performances every Friday and Saturday evening and matinees on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sunday of each month.
The upcoming production is led by Brian Lyons-Burke as King Arthur, alongside Adam Yastrzemsky as Patsy, both making their Way Off Broadway debuts. They will be joined by the Knights of the Round Table including Ariel Messeca as Sir Robin, Brett Stockman as Sir Lancelot, Jordan B. Stocksdale as Sir Galahad, and Jeremy Trammelle as Sir Bedevere. The show also features Joseph Waeyaert as the Historian and Tori Weaver as the Lady of the Lake.
The other characters Arthur and his knights meet on their journey are played by Jessica Billones, Sam Buchanan, Sarah Burton, Paul Cabell, Daniel Hafer, Alex Levenson, Matthew Lincoln-Bugg, Carol Niedringhus, and Mallory Rome.
Spamalot has a book and lyrics by Eric Idle with music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle. The show is based on the motion picture Monty Python and the Holy Grail from the original screenplay by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin. Way Off Broadway's production will be directed by Bill Kiska, with music direction by Jordan Stocksdale and choreography by Dee Buchanan.
Doors open for dinner on Friday and Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m. with the show beginning at 8:00 p.m. On Sundays, door open for lunch at 12:30 p.m. with the show beginning at 2:15 p.m. Tickets are $45 on Friday evening, $48 on Saturday evening, and $44 for Sunday matinees.
To purchase tickets, call the Box Office at (301) 662-6600. To learn more about Way Off Broadway or any of its productions, visit www.wayoffbroadway.com.
The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre, under the direction of the Kiska Family since 2002, celebrated its 20th Anniversary Platinum Season in 2014. Since it first opened in 1995, the theatre has been a leader in the area's theatre community, proudly bringing both classic musicals, as well as regional and area premieres to the Frederick stage. Productions have included The Addams Family, Les Misérable, Sunset Boulevard, Legally Blonde, Dolly Parton's 9 to 5: The Musical, The Music Man, Jekyll & Hyde, Hairspray, South Pacific, The Drowsy Chaperone, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Full Monty, Mel Brooks' The Producers, CATS,The Wedding Singer, Evita, Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, Grease, La Cage aux Folles, Guys & Dolls, Steel Magnolias, Annie, Bye Bye, Birdie, The King & I, ...Forum, Lend Me a Tenor, Joseph..., Blood Brothers, Mame, and 42nd Street. Way Off Broadway is also the home of a one-of-a-kind children's lunch theatre, offering entertainment for the entire family, giving children a chance to see their favorite characters live on stage. In addition to its regular season, the theatre produces a number of special events throughout the year including an annual Breakfast with Santa (and Mrs. Claus) and an interactive mysteries series.
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