[NEohioPAL] Monty Python's "Spamalot" opens in just 8 days at Hudson Players!

[Dana Herro]

Monty Python’s Spamalot Comes to Hudson



Every weekend from April 25 through May 17, Monty Python fans and musical
theater lovers across Northeast Ohio will converge at The Hudson Players
for a series of completely different evenings.  The Hudson Players have
just announced the cast for Spamalot and tickets are already selling
briskly.  Opening weekend is more than 75% sold already.



Tickets ($14 for regular admission and $12 for Groups of 10+, Students and
Senior citizens) may be purchased on-line via www.hudsonplayers.com or by
calling 330-655-8522.



The Hudson Players president, Tim Steiner, noted, “Ever since we announced
our musical version of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, we’ve been
overwhelmed.  Everything from more than forty men showing up at auditions
to record ticket sales has been wonderfully crazy.”  Steiner explained that
twenty men trying out for a play is considered great and that these roles
are on the “bucket list” of some of the area’s most talented actors.



One actor who has wanted to play a Python role since he was 15 is Don
Bernardo of Chagrin Falls, who won the lead role of King Arthur.  A
graduate of the drama program at the University of Toronto, Bernardo was
recently appointed Director of Development for Great Lakes Theater.  He has
performed memorable roles at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, Aurora
Community Theatre and on stages in New York and Pennsylvania.



King Arthur is surrounded by veteran actors, Hudson’s Brian Diehl, playing
Patsy, the king’s loyal servant and coconut bearer (known for his
performances in Aurora Community Theatre’s 2-man Greater Tuna shows and The
Complete Works of William Shakespeare [Abridged]); Wooster’s Nina Takacs,
The Lady of the Lake (a professional entertainer at Cleveland’s Pickwick &
Frolic Restaurant); and the king’s knights, Eric Oswald of Chagrin Falls
(Sir Robin), Adam Alderson of Kent (Bedevere), Jim Dove of Medina
(Lancelot) and Derrick Winger of Akron (Galahad) – many of whom have
performed professionally throughout the region.



Spamalot director, Dave Stebbins of Stow added, “I’ve been directing shows
for more than twenty years and this is one of the most talented casts with
whom I’ve had the pleasure of working.”  He added, “We’ve had a lot of fun
bouncing creative ideas off of one-another and even playing with Spamalot’s
somewhat complex music.  I’m lucky to have musical director Roger Clary and
choreographer Alex Noel (both from Hudson) to keep things moving along.”
Producers, and Hudson residents, Michelle Dolciato and Gary Maher have
helped gather hundreds of props and set pieces while costumer Elizabeth
Balla has been using her extensive knowledge of medieval clothing to help
create a believable world.



The Spamalot plot, according to Monty Python veteran Eric Idle, was,
“lovingly ripped off” from the film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail.  It
follows King Arthur as he rides through the countryside with nothing more
that the sound effect of horse hooves provided by this cocoanut-banging
servant, Patsy.  The silliness builds as he gathers his knights and finds
himself on a quest for the Holy Grail (a quest ordered by God – although
you only get to see his giant, hovering feet).  Along the way, musical
numbers cover everything from courting rituals in Finland to sexual
alignment in the middle ages to looking on the bright side of life.  This
well-written play takes the audience to an alternate history where the
logic is a little bit off, but always hilarious.



The cast is rounded out by an experienced, talented and mostly-beautiful
ensemble, many of whom play multiple roles:  John Barron-Wright, Ron Davis,
Dana Herro, Michael Guffey, Jay Hill, Martha Kriley, Chris Macchione, Gary
Maher, Jen Matas, Tim Steiner, Alyssa Whiddon, Kyla Williger, Brenda Willis
and Kirk Worcester.



The cast has already started rehearsals, with many of the actors already
knowing their lines.  For those interested in watching the rehearsal
process, feel free to visit their Facebook page, The Hudson Players Present
Spamalot… and remember to reserve tickets now, they’re going fast!



Spamalot will be performed 8:00 pm on April 25, 26, May 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and
17 with a matinee on May 11 at 2:00 pm.  The Hudson Players perform at
Hudson’s Barlow community Center, 41 S. Oviatt Street, Hudson, Ohio 44236,
just east of route 91 and one block south of route 303 (across from the
fire department).
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