The Dramateurs, Inc. at the Barn Playhouse continue their 2015 season with the hilarious musical comedy SPAMALOT, a musical loosely based on the movie “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.”
SPAMALOT tells the legendary tale of King Arthur’s quest to find the Holy Grail. However, diverting a bit from the true story, this hilarious musical features such oddities as a line of beautiful dancing girls, a flatulent Frenchmen and killer rabbits. Outside there is plague with a 50% chance of pestilence and famine. 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. Besides the rabbits and farting Frenchman, 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”.
The musical previewed at New York’s Shubert Theatre beginning February 14 2005 and, after some changes, officially opened on March 17. The production, directed by Mike Nichols, won the Tony Award for Best Musical and was nominated for an overall total of 14 Tony Awards. The show played its final performance on January 11, 2009 after 35 previews and 1,575 performances; it was seen by more than two million people and grossed over $175 million, recouping its initial production costs in under six months.
The original Broadway cast included Tim Curry as King Arthur, Michael McGrath as Patsy, David Hyde Pierce as Sir Robin, Hank Azaria as Sir Lancelot and other roles (e.g., the French Taunter, Knight of Ni, and Tim the Enchanter), Christopher Sieber as Sir Galahad and other roles (e.g., the Black Knight and Prince Herbert’s Father), and Sara Ramirez as the Lady of the Lake. It also included Christian Borle as Prince Herbert and other roles (e.g., the Historian and Not Dead Fred), Steve Rosen as Sir Bedevere and other roles (e.g., Concorde and Dennis’s Mother) and John Cleese as the (recorded) Voice of God.
The Dramateurs’ production is directed by Steve Arcidiacono, with music direction by Konnie Stark. Diane Hodgkiss and Kim Albright provide choreography with costumes by Chris Jackson, Robert Marsch and Eileen Ciccarone. The cast features Jim Goniea as King Arthur and Shanna Gates as the Lady of the Lake, with Matt Bookler, Rob Frankel, Russ White, Anthony Marsala, Randy Frame and Jim Hopper as the Knights of the Round Table and a cast of talented dancers and ensemble members.
Performances begin August 21 and continue through September 5. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8:00 pm with a matinee performance August 23 at 2:00 pm. Tickets are $19 with a $2 discount for seniors (63+) and juniors (12 and under). Reservations can be made online at www.barnplayhouse.org or 610-539-2276. More information is available at the theater’s website, barnplayhouse.org.
Theater/Organization The Dramateurs, Inc. at the Barn Playhouse
Theater/Organization Website: http://www.barnplayhouse.org
Theater/Organization Address: 1700 Christopher Street Jeffersonville, Pennsylvania 19403 (Map It)
Theater/Organization Phone: (610) 539-2276
