URI Theatre
schedules auditions for ‘Monty Python’s Spamalot’
The University of Rhode Island
Theatre Department will hold auditions Jan. 20 and 21 for its April production
of “Monty Python’s Spamalot.” Auditions are open to the public.
“Spamalot,” book and lyrics by Eric
Idle and music by Idle and John DuPrez, is the musical comedy adaptation of the
1975 cult classic “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.”
The play premiered at the
Shubert Theatre in Chicago in 2004 and has captured three Tony Awards and three
Drama Desk Awards. With more than a dozen major productions and tours,
King
Arthur’s hilarious quest for the Holy Grail – with a bevy of beautiful show
girls, killer rabbits, jettisoned cows, and, of course, the Knights Who Say
“Ni” – has been staged around the globe.
Auditions are Monday, Jan. 20, from
6 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday, Jan. 21, from 7 to 10 p.m. in G Studio of the URI Fine
Arts Center, 105 Upper College Road, Kingston Campus. Call backs are Friday,
Jan. 24, at 6 p.m. in G Studio. To register for an audition, call the Theatre
Department at (401) 874-5921, or sign up outside the Theatre Office on the
second floor of the Fine Arts Center.
All performances should be one to two minutes
long and performed with an accent – British, Cockney, French, Scottish, Irish
or German.
For singing, actors need to memorize
32 bars of two contrasting songs in the correct key. Sheet music must be
provided; no a cappella singing.
For the dance portion, please bring tap shoes.
If you don’t have tap shoes, character shoes/character heels will be needed to
learn a tap combination. Steps will be taught a cappella to hear feet sounds.
Characters being cast are:
King Arthur: King of England who sets out on a quest to form the
Knights of the Round Table
and find the Holy Grail.
and find the Holy Grail.
Sir Lancelot: A Knight of the Round Table, fearless to a bloody fault, but
through a twist of fate, discovers his softer side. Actor must be great with
character voices and accents.
Sir Galahad: A Knight of the Round Table who begins as “Dennis,” a
lower-class “mud gatherer” who is knighted and transformed into the dashing Sir
Galahad.
Sir Robin: A Knight of the Round Table who is ironically called “Sire
Robin the Brave,” though he
couldn’t be more cowardly. Joins the Knights for the singing and dancing.
couldn’t be more cowardly. Joins the Knights for the singing and dancing.
Sir Bedevere: A Knight of the Round Table, an inept scholar.
The Lady of the Lake: A diva, strong, beautiful, possesses mystical powers. The
leading lady of the show. A great singing voice is essential. Actor must be
able to sing effortlessly in many styles and vocal registers.
Patsy: King Arthur’s horse and servant, underappreciated but
always longing for King Arthur’s
approval. Actors must be good, funny, a physical mover with tap dancing skill.
approval. Actors must be good, funny, a physical mover with tap dancing skill.
Ensemble: Six men and six women needed.
The Theatre Department’s production
of “Spamalot” will be directed by Paula McGlasson, music direction by Lila Kane
and choreography by Dante Sciarra. “Spamalot” runs April 16-19 and April 23-26
in the Robert E. Will Theatre. The first read through is Saturday, Feb. 22,
from 1 to 4 p.m. in G Studio.
URI Theatre is committed to equal
opportunity and non-traditional casting. Productions strongly encourage
all students, staff, faculty or members of the community to audition and/or
participate in URI productions. There will be no discrimination based on sex,
race, color, age, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, religion,
gender, gender identity or expression, veteran and/or disability status.
