By Cinara Marquis
Adapted from the 1975 film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” Spamalot retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The musical is filled with catchy tunes and outrageous numbers and features an array of quirky characters, including beautiful showgirls, killer rabbits and French people.
The 2005 Broadway production of Monty Python’s Spamalot won three Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and the SUNY Plattsburgh theater department is set to bring the show to campus with their production this weekend.
The cast and crew are filled with a variety of skilled individuals who all share a passion for the theater.
LIBERATED LAUGHTER
“This show is absolutely ridiculous; there are truly no dull moments,” said Micaela Lynch, who plays Sir Robin, a guard and Brother Maynard in the show. “If you want to have a good time, I highly suggest this show.”
Spamalot isn’t Lynch’s first production at SUNY Plattsburgh, and neither is it Lydya Felix’s.
“I personally love musicals, and if there is an opportunity to audition for one that I know I will like and love being a part of, I will always audition,” said Felix, who plays Patsy and works as assistant lighting designer for Spamalot.
Both students are in their fourth year at SUNY Plattsburgh and said the secure environment that the directors and crew fostered created a place for bold creativity.
Felix was encouraged to challenge herself and wear many hats in the performance.
“It is a bit difficult to tackle being an actor in the show and designing,” Felix said. “It was a very fun challenge, to say the least.”
For Lynch, she was given area for experimentation.
“(The directors) were honestly so kind and understanding,” Lynch explained. “They fostered a safe environment, and I felt I could try different things without judgment.”
Lynch is excited about the performance, but what she most eagerly awaits, though, is the comedy.
“My father said ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ was one of the funniest movies he’s seen, so I am looking forward to making him and others laugh,” Lynch said.
FROM START TO SEVERAL
Monty Python’s Spamalot marks Lillian Faulkner’s first performance with SUNY Plattsburgh. She plays several roles, including Lancelot, The French Taunter, The Knight of Ni and Tim.
“I couldn’t ask for a better experience for my first show. Everyone involved is so talented, kind and understanding,” Faulkner said.
For Reg Sutphen, Spamalot marks their seventh show at SUNY Plattsburgh and their eighth in the Plattsburgh area. They play the Lady of the Lake, a diva character with a wide vocal range.
“I’ve never had a role that was mostly singing, so auditioning for Lady was something very special to me as a music major specializing in voice,” Sutphen said. “My vocal abilities are what I’ve been working on for the past few years now, and this feels like the ultimate test.”
To Sutphen, the show has been one of the most challenging ones yet, but also one of the most rewarding. Spamalot has given Sutphen the space to showcase their skill and what they have learned throughout their nearly four years attending SUNY Plattsburgh.
“I’ve also gained a huge arsenal of talented, passionate people who I am lucky to call friends through this show and become closer to those I already held dear,” they explained.
Although this is Faulkner’s first year at SUNY Plattsburgh, she already feels similarly.
“It makes all the difference to do a show with such amazing people,” she said.
NEW ROLES
Emily Fagan and Claire Ragusa are the production stage managers for Monty Python’s Spamalot. For Fagan, that means attending auditions and maintaining contact with the cast and crew members — just like them, she is a student. Ragusa works more with administrative duties, which consist of sending emails and filling out paperwork.
Both Fagan and Ragusa take notes during rehearsal to relay to the cast, crew and staff of the theater department, as well as call cues. This is also both of their first experiences as production managers at SUNY Plattsburgh.
“My experience has been amazing while working on this show. Seeing how far the cast members have come since the beginning of the semester compared to now has been an honor,” Fagan said. “This experience has definitely had its hardships, but I am so glad that I have picked up this role.”
Originally, Fagan was going to be a spotlight operator, but when the time came, she was happy to step up to the position of stage manager.
Ragusa is also happy about her role.
“This is my first musical I’ve ever worked on, and it’s really unlike anything else,” she said. “The amount of coordination and focus that goes into just about everything is mind-blowing and has given me an elevated respect for Broadway work. The team in particular has been a joy to work with, a lot of which are very talented freshmen.”
Monty Python’s Spamalot will run from Nov. 7 to Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 10 at 2 p.m. at the Hartman Theater in the John Myers Fine Arts Building. Tickets are available via Cardinal Link and cost $6 for students, $15 for general admission and $12 for seniors.
Purchase tickets for Monty Python’s Spamalot at https://campusgroups.plattsburgh.edu/themus/home/
