Did you miss Monty Python’s Spamalot when it was in New York City because of sold-out crowds and long lines?”
Did you miss Spamalot when it came to Los Angeles because of sold-out crowds and long lines?
Your luck is about to change, because the musical comedy adapted from the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail is coming to Palisades High School. A live orchestra under the direction of Elizabeth Stoyanovich will provide the music for a cast of 43 student performers.
The show will begin at 7 p.m. on Sept. 29 and Oct. 1 at 7 p.m., with a student show at 4 p.m. on Sept. 30 for $5. The following week the show runs Oct. 6, 7, 8 and 9 at 7 p.m.
Palisades High production of Monty Python’s Spamalot.
Photo: Felix Massey
The school always puts on a topnotch production, with some of the most interesting new talent in town. This is where Forest Whitaker and Helene York first starred on stage.
Spamalot is a parody of the Arthurian legend, with Ethan Egilsson as Knight of Ni and Max Vaupenas as King Arthur. The title of the play was explained by one of the creators, Eric Idle: “It comes from a line in the movie which goes, “We eat ham, and jam, and Spam a lot.”
Before the musical begins, a recording announces “let your cellphones and pagers ring willy-nilly,” and adds that one should “be aware there are heavily armed knights on stage that may drag you on stage and impale you.”
This silly, fun play is being directed by Nancy Fracchiolla, an actress, who for years directed local youth productions before becoming a drama teacher at Pali. She was also an original cast member and author of Tony and Tina’s Wedding.
The original 2005 Broadway production of Spamalot won three Tony Awards, including best musical.
Tickets maybe purchased at the door at Mercer Hall. Students are $10, general admission is $17, premium is $20. The community is invited to come and have a good laugh, and in the process support the school’s theater arts program.
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