Street Theatre’s Spamalot! cast members (l to r): Matt Smith, Nancy Allen, Brad Oxnam
photo: Heavenly Perspective Photography
One of my favorite movies, the Renaissance-era farcical fantasy Monty Python and the Holy Grail has been adapted into the totally hilarious whacko musical comedy Spamalot! After winning three Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Spamalot! comes to Nashville for a three week run, opening Nov. 1 at the Street Theatre.
Spamalot! brings the story of King Arthur to the stage, featuring not only the Knights of the Round Table, but also a mix of showgirls, ‘killer rabbits,’ and ‘openly French people.’
Based loosely on the 1975 movie, Spamalot! is the creation of Eric Idle, one of the original cast members of the Monty Python series. (Perhaps the best known Monty Python founder was comedian Dudley Moore). The musical parodies the beloved English legend of King Arthur, allowing audiences to experience Arthur and Lancelot’s antics in a new light. With a score by John Du Prez, Spamalot! will have you singing along in your seat and reminds us all that history, no matter how distorted is “not dead yet!”
According to the London Sunday Times, Spamalot! “raises silliness to an art form” and has been hailed as a “no-holds-barred smash hit” by The New Yorker. Winner of the Outstanding Musical Drama Desk Award, Spamalot! opened to rave reviews on both Broadway and the West End of London, making Broadway box office history with ticket advances.
The New York Post professed the musical to be “Bloody fantastic. Gorgeously silly. Superlative and better.” Spamalot! is silliness for all ages, so a fun time is guaranteed for the whole family.
Spamalot! is directed by Martha Wilkinson (best known to Nashville audiences as the artistic director at the Barn Dinner Theatre). Musical direction is by Rollie Mains with choreography by Holly Shepherd. The cast includes Brad Oxnam, Nancy Allen, Matt Smith, Brett Myers, Steve Kraski and a host of other talented thespians.
Street Theatre Company is supported by the Metro Nashville Arts Commission and the Tennessee Arts Commission. Spamalot! runs November 1-17, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm; Sundays at 5 pm. Tickets are $18 for adults; $16 for students and seniors. Group rates are available. For specific events, more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.streettheatrecompany.org. Performances are at Street Theatre, 1933 Elm Hill Pike, just off Briley Parkway. For more information, call 615-554-7414.
