(Posted Feb. 27, 2020)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
“If people want to laugh–and laughter is good for us, especially coming out of winter–they will love it.”
That’s the pitch Laura Madden gives when asked why folks should see Southeastern High School’s production of “Spamalot,” the musical adaptation of the 1975 British comedic film, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.”
Madden, an art teacher, and Kelly Sheeley, a music teacher, are directing the show which parodies the story of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table and their quest for the Holy Grail.
“We were very excited when we found out there was a school version of the musical,” Madden said.
Southeastern’s 20-member cast is doing a great job with the material.
“They are doing very well with the comedy and with the songs. The music itself isn’t hard, but there are a lot of words–lots of plays on words and puns,” Madden said.
That and the fact that many of the actors are playing multiple parts means the cast has been busy.
“One of the challenges that comes with that is fast costume changes. Sometimes, they only have a song to change clothes,” Madden said. “But that’s also what makes it really fun–that they get to play so many characters.”
Holding down lead roles are senior Brady Bair as King Arthur, senior Olivia Bauer as the king’s sidekick, Patsy, and senior Megan Segrest as the Lady of the Lake. Playing the knights are: senior Colter Moore as Sir Lancelot, senior Dakota Lambert as Sir Robin, junior Connor McGlothlin as Sir Galahad, and eighth-grader Peyton Hamilton as Sir Bedevere.
Another eighth-grader, Cody Clark, made the cast as Not Dead Fred who shines in a hilariously irreverent scene in which the knights are collecting dead bodies from the plague. Not Dead Fred pipes up that he’s “not dead yet,” then gets up to sing and dance, along with the other bodies.
“All of the songs fit very well with the story. The lyrics–they just make me laugh!” Madden said.
Among the show’s many popular tunes are “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” and “The Song that Goes Like This,” which pokes fun at musicals.
Showtimes are 7 p.m. on March 13 and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on March 14. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for youths age 18 and younger. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling the school and asking for Kelly Sheeley, (937) 462-8308.
