<div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal">Monty Python’s Spamalot Comes to Hudson</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Every weekend from <span><span>April 25 through May 17</span></span>,
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.<br></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Tickets ($14 for regular admission and $12 for Groups of 10+, Students and Senior citizens) may be purchased on-line via <a href="http://www.hudsonplayers.com" target="_blank">www.hudsonplayers.com</a> or by calling <a href="tel:330-655-8522" value="+13306558522" target="_blank">330-655-8522</a>.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">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.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">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. </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">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.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">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.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">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.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">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.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">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!</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Spamalot will be performed <span><span>8:00 pm on April 25</span></span>, 26, <span><span>May 2</span></span>, 3, 9, 10, 16 and 17 with a matinee on <span><span>May 11 at 2:00 pm</span></span>.
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).</p></div>