Theatre students at Sinclair Community College are set to perform the new Monty Python musical, “Spamalot,” directed by Gina Kleesattel with musical direction from Daniel Greene.
“[Spamalot] is a new musical lovingly ripped off of the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” Patti Celek, publicity specialist for the Theatre department said. “It’s about King Arthur and his knights and his quest for the holy grail, and some of the antics that go on along the way.”
Apart from the flying cows and killer rabbits that are included in the stage show, Celek said Spamalot is one of the largest productions the Theatre department has been a part of.
“There are a lot of set changes; there’s a large cast, more lighting, the orchestra is bigger,” Celek said. “For example, generally we go with a seven or eight piece orchestra, but we went with 14 for this one.”
Along with a larger cast and set, more costumes are expected — something that Celek said is in progress.
“Our costume designer Kathleen Hotmer is both renting pieces and constructing pieces,” she said. “The most elaborate costume would probably be the lady in the lake, which is being rented from a Broadway costume shop.”
Celek said she believes students will like the show because it is so funny, over the top and entertaining.
“It’s very, very irreverent and I think it’s hysterically funny,” she said. “There are parts of it that could be considered offensive, but it’s so over the top — I mean, killer rabbits, flying cows — so you kind of expect that it’s going to push the envelope.”
According to Celek, students have also expressed that they are excited for Spamalot’s arrival and she believes that because the market for the show is so diverse, it appeals to many people.
“Part of our goal or our mission is that we produce different kinds of theatre for different markets,” she said. “It’s kind of a broad spectrum and so far, our response has been good.”
Opening show for Spamalot is Oct. 4 and all seats must be reserved. The cost is $15 for adults and $10 for students, seniors and Sinclair employees.
“I think it’s a perfect opportunity for people who love theatre and for people who have never seen any theatre,” Celek said. “It’s something that everyone can enjoy together.”
For those interested in purchasing tickets, visit www.sinclair.edu/tickets.