Monty Python's SPAMALOT Set for City Lights Theater, Now thru 8/31

King Arthur and the Knights Who Say "Ni." Lancelot and a killer rabbit. The Lady of the Lake and her own troupe of Laker Girls. They're all jousting their way onto the stage for City Lights Theater Company's big summer musical, Monty Python's SPAMALOT. Directed by Jeffrey Bracco, SPAMALOT runs today, July 24 through August 31 at 529 S. Second St. in San Jose. For details and tickets, go to cltc.org or call 408-295-4200.

SPAMALOT is "lovingly" ripped off from the classic film comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table with a few twists, like lots of dance numbers. Men in tights, snotty French guards, beautiful showgirls, monks, and Finnish fish all have their time on the stage. Classic and new Monty Python songs include "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life," "He Is Not Dead Yet," and "You Won't Succeed on Broadway."

Monty Python member Eric Idle wrote the SPAMALOT book, basing it on the Holy Grail screenplay by Idle, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin. Idle also wrote the SPAMALOT lyrics and teamed up with film composer John Du Prez-a former member of the '80s pop band Modern Romance-to pen the music. Premiering on Broadway in 2005, SPAMALOT won the Tony Award for Best Musical.

Jeffrey Bracco (Director) is also an actor, playwright, and educator with a 20-year professional theater career in the U.S. and France. He has written or co-written five plays that have been professionally produced, including ShakesPod, which ran for three seasons in Paris with a national tour each year from 2007 to 2009. It was also performed at City Lights and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. City Lights directing credits include NINE, Ching Chong Chinaman, The Santaland Diaries, and The Three Musketeers. His work as an actor includes playing George in City Lights' The Language Archive, as well as film and TV appearances. He teaches directing, acting, and theater history at Santa Clara University.

Jennifer Gorgulho (Choreographer) is making her choreographic debut with City Lights. She holds a BFA in dance with a jazz emphasis from San Jose State University. Her latest choreographic works include shows with Palo Alto Players (Young Frankenstein, Miss Saigon) and Children's Musical Theater San Jose (Phantom). She has performed with companies including CMTSJ, Diablo Theatre Company, and Cabrillo Stage.

Michael Johnson (Musical Direction) frequently serves as musical director and performs at City Lights. Musical-direction credits include Holiday Melodrama, Assassins, and Chicago, and he has appeared in such shows as The Rocky Horror Show (2003), Jesus Christ Superstar, and Another Night Before

Christmas. He also performs with Marquee Productions, the adult wing of Children's Musical Theater San Jose, where he just finished playing Sir Bedevere/Mother in CMT's production of SPAMALOT.

The cast includes: Ken Boswell (King Arthur), Clara Rose Walker (Lady of the Lake), Nick Manfredi (Sir Robin), Mackenszie Drae (Sir Lancelot), Josiah Frampton (Patsy), James Snell (Sir Galahad), Jeremy Ryan (Sir Bedevere), and Ryan Mardesich (Mr. Everything).

Designers: Ron Gasparinetti (Scenic), Erin Haney (Costumes), Nick Kumamoto (Lighting), George Psarras (Sound Design), Caroline Clark (Properties).

Sponsors and Supporters: These include the Applied Materials Foundation, the City of San Jose Office of Cultural Affairs, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Silicon Valley Creates, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and many other individuals, corporations and foundations. Our nonprofit partner for this production is Theatre Bay Area.

In honor of SPAMALOT, Psycho Donuts has come up with a new creation: the Spam Wellington donut. This surprisingly tasty treat places layers of Spam and mushroom duxelle (mushroom, onions, garlic, butter, cooking sherry) inside a savory donut. Try the Spam Wellington at our opening night party on July 26, or at Psycho Donuts at 288 S. Second St. in San Jose from July 24 through August 31.

DETAILS:

SPAMALOT

July 24-August 31, 2014.
Pay What You Can Night: Thursday, July 24, 8 p.m.
$17 Preview Night: Friday, July 25, 8 p.m.
Opening Night: Saturday, July 26, 8 p.m.
Regular showtimes: Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m., and Sundays (beginning August 3) at 2 p.m. Three Wednesday performances, on August 13, 20 and 27, at 8 p.m.
Venue: City Lights Theater Company, 529 S. Second St., San Jose, CA 95112

TICKETS: Opening night: $35 general, $30 seniors, $19 students/educators. Other shows: $30 general ($32 on closing weekend); $25 seniors ($27 on closing weekend); $17 students/educators ($19 on closing weekend). Buy online for no surcharge ($2 surcharge at the door). For tickets or more information, go to cltc.org or call 408-295-4200.

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