PYTHON’S "SPAMALOT" DELIVERS MEDIEVAL MANIA IN A MUSICAL

Maurer Productions OnStage Brings Tony-Winning Musical Comedy to Kelsey Theatre November 15, 2013

West Windsor, NJ  (October 15, 2013) – On the heels of blockbuster musicals like “Avenue Q” and “AIDA”, the award-winning team at Maurer Productions OnStage will deliver "Monty Python’s Spamalot", the irreverent and spectacular Broadway spoof of the King Arthur legend. The show will run at Kelsey Theatre on the West Windsor campus of Mercer County Community College. Dates and times for this production are Fridays, Nov. 15, 22, and 29 at 8 pm; Saturdays Nov. 16, 23, and 30 at 8 pm; and Sundays, Nov. 17, and 24, and Dec. 1 at 2pm. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance.

Lovingly ripped off from the motion picture, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail", "Spamalot” is the fresh Broadway hit and irreverent parody of the Arthurian legend. Rude Frenchmen, cancan dancers, the Lady of the Lake and her Laker Girls, Killer rabbits, catapulting cows, and the somewhat odd Knights who say "ni" are just part of the adventures and dangers awaiting King Arthur and his knights of the very very very round table in their quest for the holy grail. The Broadway production of this non-stop rollercoaster ride of laughs was nominated for 14 Tony Awards, winning three, including Best New Musical.

The show also features numerous references to "Monty Python's Flying Circus" television skits like the Lumberjack Song, Spam, and the Dead Parrot Sketch, while some of Broadway's cherished musicals are skewered along the way including a spoof of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story, Man of La Mancha, Les Miserables, and The Producers.

Fresh off his work on the company's acclaimed production of "Avenue Q", John Maurer will once again slip into the director's chair.

"I've been a Monty Python fan from a young age," Maurer said. "Their brand of zany and irreverent comedy is universally appealing, but it is unique and tricky to pull off," he added. "Lucky for us and the audience, our cast brings the Python spirit to the show in every scene. Sometimes it's hard just to get through a rehearsal because everyone is laughing so hard."

Leading the quest is King Arthur (Stuart Myles) with his trusty servant Patsy (Rob Gougher). Playing his gallant knights - and a broad assortment of other characters - are Kevin Palardy as Sir Lancelot the Homicidally Brave, Mimi Francis as The Lady of the Lake, Justin Derry as Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-as-Sir-Lancelot, Sean Downing as Sir Galahad, the Dashingly Handsome, Peter Bisgaier as Sir Bedevere, the Strangely Flatulent, Paul Phalent as Prince Herbert, and Dan Slowthower as Tim the Enchanter.

Rounding out the cast are Tom Bessellieu as the Historian, Scott Karlin as the Black Knight, John Glace as Bors the Beheaded, and Candace Chmielewski, Jen DeFilippi, Sally Page and Dominique Shaw as the Laker Girls.

In addition to John Maurer, the production team features Musical Director Laurie Gougher, Choreographer Jane Coult, Costumer Designer Mark Applegate, Prop Mistress Dottie Farina, Master Set Builder Jeff Cantor, Stage Manager/Producer Diana Gilman Maurer, and Sound Designer/Producer Dan Maurer. Sound Engineering duties will be handled by MCCC’s Music Technology Students under the supervision of Bob Terrano.

Tickets are $20 for all tickets and may be purchased by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333 or online here. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible. Free parking is available next to the theater. More information about this production of “Monty Python’s Spamalot” can be found online at www.mponstage.com.