Spamalot opening Thursday at PJC
Published or Revised November 09, 2017
In a scene from “Spamalot,” opening Thursday evening and running through Sunday at PJC, Sir Lancelot (Chaston Tomlin) does high jumps on his nonexistent horse as Concorde (Dana Stowell) raps coconuts to make the sounds of horse hooves. One of many running gags in the musical, all of the knights “ride” horses that aren’t there but are followed by someone hitting coconuts together.
A classic Monty Python spinning of King Arthur's search for the Holy Grail takes the stage of the Paris Junior College Ray E. Karrer Theater Thursday through Sunday with the opening of "Spamalot." Play times are 7:30 p.m. Nov. 9-11 and 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 12.
Featuring zany British humor, the play is based on the film, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," which is an homage to musical theater. The original 2005 Broadway production won three Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and received 14 Tony Award nominations.
"CAUTION," says play director and PJC Drama Instructor William Walker, "Mature Humor Ahead! 'Spamalot' tells the legendary tale of King Arthur's quest to find the Holy Grail. Though inspired by the classic, the story diverges from the tradional. Instead, 'Spamalot' features such shenanigans as a line of beautiful dancing girls and killer rabbits. Outside, there is plague with a 50 percent chance of pestilence and famine. Throughout the show King Arthur, traveling with his servant Patsy, recruits several knights to accompany him on his quest."
The traveling knights include Sir Bedevere, Sir Robin, Sir Lancelot, and Sir Galahad. Besides killer rabbits and dancing girls, they meet such characters as the Lady of the Lake, Prince Herbert, Tim the Enchanter, Not Dead Fred, the Black Knight, and the Knights who say Ni (pronounced "nee").
Tickets are $15 general admission, $10 for high school students and senior citizens, and free for those with current PJC ID. The musical opens Thursday night, Nov. 9 in the Ray E. Karrer Theater at 7:30 p.m. with shows Friday and Saturday evening and a 2:30 p.m. showing on Sunday. Advance reservations are recommended and may be made by emailing pjcdrama@parisjc.edu.
Cast includes: Dreikus Green as King Arthur; Ethan Brown+ as Sir Robin; Chaston Tomlin as Sir Lancelot; Antavius Draughn as Sir Galahad; Dana Stowell as Sir Bedevere / Ms. Galahad / Concorde; Deja Sikes as The Lady of the Lake; Adrian Hobbs as Patsy; Bailey Magnuson as Historian / Not Dead Fred / French Guard / Minstrel / Prince Herbert; Mallory Baccus, Gisselle Benitez, and Cyan Burkhart as Laker Girl / Ensemble; Vanessa Cooley as Laker Girl / Sir Bors / Ensemble; Justin Gallant as Guard 1 / Ensemble; Candace Weist as Guard 2 / Sir Not Appearing / Ensemble; Juan Espinosa as Brother Maynard / The French Taunter / Ensemble; Gary Dodd as The Knight of Ni / Ensemble; Raden Phillips as Tim the Enchanter / Minstrel / Ensemble; Mark Byrd as Prince Herbert's Father / Ensemble; Sydnie Dockery as The Black Night / Ensemble; Carlton Bell+ as French Guard / Ensemble; Jonathan Robinson as French Guard / Minstrel / Ensemble; and Sam Isaak Farris as Minstrel / Ensemble.
The production team includes: Director William L. Walker; Stage Manager Diana Godsell+; Asst. Stage Manager Stephen Bailey; Asst. Stage Manager Alex Greer+; Choreographer Robyn R. Huizinga; Set Design Will Walker; Scenic Artist Robyn R. Huizinga; Light Design by Will James Stacey*; Running Crew - Udanti Rendsland and Cheyenne Dunken.
The musical ensemble includes: Music Director Dr. Michael Holderer; Katherine Marie Wiebe on piano; Ryan Callaway on drums; and Joe Ferris on bass.
*Guest artist and Assistant Professor of Theatre from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
+Current members of Delta Psi Omega the two-year honor theatre organization.
