Spamalot a Silly, Silly Production

By James E. Trainor III
Photos by Von Presley Studios

Megan Anderson as The Lady of the Lake

Cedar Rapids - Of the many musicals based on movies that have been trotted out on stage in the last couple decades, Spamalot is one of the best adaptations. There are a couple reasons for this: first, Eric Idle, who wrote the book and lyrics (and worked with John Du Prez on the music), has gobs of experience recycling old jokes for new audiences. Second, the source material isn't really a narrative film with a steady plotline like The Producers or even Young Frankenstein; it's a collection of sketches loosely based around the King Arthur legend that ultimately goes nowhere (if you recall, they don't ever find the Holy Grail in the Grail film; the most famous project from everyone's favorite comic anarchists ends with the police arresting Arthur's crew, including the camera operator). As such, it's ripe for ripping apart and stitching together in a new form: a larger-than-life Broadway musical, where everyone's favorite skits and gags can mingle with some brand-new material that is just as hilarious.

Spamalot Cast List

Cedar Rapids - TCR has announced the cast for its upcoming musical Spamalot. The show opens January 24.

Spamalot Is Great Fun For Fans

By Sharon Falduto
Photos by Jackie Jensen at IC Pixx

King Arthur (Rip Russell) and his knights

Coralville—I consider myself very lucky to be a resident of Coralville. I can see Broadway shows, presented in the beautiful Coralville Center for the Performing Arts, by just driving a couple miles down the road (even if I do have to add in a few blocks of a detour to 6th Avenue).

It was my privilege to see and review opening night of City Circle Acting Company of Coralville’s Spamalot, which was the show’s Eastern Iowa premiere. I’ve loved the music of the show ever since a friend loaned me a CD of the Tony Award winning 2004 musical. I planned to get tickets to the touring production at Hancher but, well, that plan was washed out by the flood of 2008.

The musical follows the movie of Monty Python and the Holy Grail; and some bits create the laughter of recognition before the scene even begins. When a cart full of plague victims rolls through, the audience anticipates that someone will soon announce that he is in fact, Not Quite Dead--and the always appealing Doug Beardsley as “Not Dead Fred” does not disappoint. He can, in fact, dance a jig and a highland fling, just as the song promises. The “Knights Who Say ‘Ni’” were another group who caused titillation in the crowd before the first “Ni” was uttered.

Spamalot Opens October 25

Sarah Blakeslee and Rip Russell

Coralville - "City Circle Acting Company will present Monty Python’s Spamalot, October 25 –November 3 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts.

Performances are October 25, 26 and November 1,2 at 7:30 pm and October 26 and November 3 at 2:00 pm

Winner of the 2005 Tony for Best Musical, Monty Python’s Spamalot is a musical comedy lovingly ripped off from the classic film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”. Directed by Krista Neumann, the show tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table and features a bevy of beautiful show girls, cows, killer rabbits, and French people. Spamalot raises silliness to an art form! Rob Keech, who plays Sir Lancelot, says “Audience members will love this show. It’s filled with joke after joke after joke. It’s impossible not to laugh. And the cast is phenomenal and having such a good time. The show will make you happy.”

Music is by Eric Idle, John Du Prez, and Neil Inne with book and lyrics by Eric Idle. The University of Iowa Credit Union is the supporting sponsor.

Spamalot Opens October 25

Coralville - "City Circle Acting Company will present Monty Python’s Spamalot , October 25 – November 3 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts.

Performances are October 25, 26 and November 1,2 at 7:30 pm and October 26 and November 3 at 2:00 pm

Auditions for Spamalot

Coralville - "City Circle Acting Company of Coralville will hold auditions for its production of Monty Python’s Spamalot on Monday August 26, and Tuesday, August 27 from 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts.

Winner of the 2005 Tony Award for Best Musical, Monty Python’s Spamalot is a musical comedy lovingly ripped off from the classic film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Telling the legendary tale of King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table, and featuring a bevy of beautiful show girls — not to mention cows, killer rabbits, and French people — Monty Python’s Spamalot raises silliness to an art form!

Please bring 30 seconds of a song to sing that shows off your voice and acting ability. Sheet music is preferred, but CD / mp3 accompaniment is acceptable. You will be asked to read from the script. In addition, bring an accurate list of all evening and weekend conflicts for September and October. Callbacks will be Tuesday, September 3 from 6:00 – 8:30 pm. To schedule an audition, complete and submit the audition form at www.citycircle.org. Walk ups are welcome.

Monty Python’s Spamalot will be performed October 25 – November 3, 2013 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts."

(Source: City Circle Press Release)