Spamalot Auditions - January 29th and 30th
ACT will hold auditions for the musical Spamalot on January 29th at 3pm and January 30th at 7pm. Please check back here for more information.
Spamaolot will run Fri, May 19, through Sat, May 27, 2023
Book and lyrics by Eric Idle Music by John Du Prez & Eric Idle
A new musical lovingly ripped off from the motion picture “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”
From the original screenplay by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin
Bob Franklin, Director
Bob Franklin has been actively involved in professional and community theater (as actor and director) since 1968 when he began teaching in the Washington, D.C., area. He moved to Aiken in 2001, drawn in large part to the then brand-new Aiken Community Playhouse, its dedicated supporters, and its strong Youth Wing program. He quickly began acting in and directing theatrical performances at ACT, many of which have been aimed at forcing actors to stretch and audiences to think. A few of his favorites include “Inherit the Wind”, “On Golden Pond”, “Frost/Nixon”, “To Kill A Mockingbird”, “A Few Good Men”, “Of Mice And Men”, and “The Merchant of Venice.”
He and a couple of other colleagues also formed a non-profit traveling theatre group to perform 3 to 4 times a year at country and dinner clubs in the area and to help raise money for charitable organizations. Paladin Productions is in its ninth year.
A long-time fan of Monty Python, Bob is lucky to have been selected to Direct “Spamalot” at ACT, and he looks forward to holding auditions for this wacky musical that makes fun of just about everything.
The Characters
Character breakdown (Note, while the script calls for considerable doubling of roles, this could easily change depending on the number and skills of the auditioners)
King Arthur (late 30’s-60s): The King of England who sets out on a quest to form the Knights of the Roundtable and find the Holy Grail. Great humor. Good singer
Sir Robin (30’s-40s): A Knight of the Roundtable. Ironically called ‘Sir Robin the Brave’ although he couldn’t be more cowardly. Joins the Knights for singing and dancing. Could also play Guard 1 and Sir Maynard, a long-winded monk.
Sir Lancelot d/b/a LANCE (30s-early 40’s): A Knight of the Roundtable. He is fearless to a fault, but through a twist of fate, discovers his ‘softer’ side. This actor must be great with character voices and accents as he may be called upon to play The French Taunter, the KNIGHT of NI, and TIM THE ENCHANTER
Patsy (30s-40s): Hing Arthur’s horse and servant. Underappreciated but always longing for King Arthur’s approval. Good, funny, physical mover with some tap dancing. May also play Mayor, a jolly red faced man who advertises the merits of his home town, and the drunken, useless Guard 2
Sir Galahad (30s-40s): a Knight of the Roundtable. Begins as Dennis, a lower class ‘mud gatherer’ and transforms into the dashing Sir Galahad. May also play Prince Herbert’s father, a wealthy, brutish Yorkshireman at odds with his sensitive son and the Black Knight. Strong Baritenor singing required
Sir Bedevere (20s-40s): A Knight of the Roundtable and an inept scholar. May also play Dennis Galahad’s mother, a shrill peasant woman, and Concorde, Sir Lancelot’s horse. No solo singing
The Lady of the Lake (20s-30s): A Diva. Strong, beautiful and possesses mystic powers. The leading lady of the show. Great singing voice is essential, as she must be able to sing effortlessly in many styles and vocal registers.
The following roles may be played by the same actor (20s-30s): Tenor singing required. Very good mover and good supporting role:
Historian: A tweedy academic
Not Dead Fred: A sickly little fellow who, despite others’ beliefs, claims he is ‘not yet dead.’
Prince Herbert: The hopeful and frilly prince who loves to sing, and pines for his love atop a tower
Ensemble: Six men and Six Women, who also play a variety of smaller roles
Audition Instructions
Music and dance auditions only on Sunday, Jan. 29th.
Please prepare a musical piece that reflects your skills, both musical and comic. The piece may be - but does not NEED to be - from the show.
Reading auditions on Monday, Jan. 30th, will be from the following sides (click the side to read it):
Side 2: Arthur, Robin and Lance
The Cast:
King Arthur: James Raby
Robin: Thomas Reissner
Lancelot: Marshall Mahoney
Patsy: Ken Hendricks
Galahad: Brad King
Lady of the Lake: Joy Ledford
Sir Bedevere: Aron Shanley
Historian: Dee Elder
French Taunter and Galahad's mother: Garrett Maroney
Herbert: Wesslen Romano
Tim the Enchanter: Brandon McVey
Note: Many other cameo roles will be selected from the ensembles
Women's Ensemble:
Aubrey Wall
Gina Vitgenos
Cathy Merrifield
Anna Romano
Samantha Lazar
Men's Ensemble:
Jeremy McCoy
Wesslen Romano
Lucas LeBlanc
Mo Pruitt
Evan Cook
Aron Shanley
Dee Elder