Attention Charlestown thespians

URI Theatre schedules auditions for ‘Monty Python’s Spamalot’

Tony LaRoche

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.

Actors who plan to audition will be given a five-minute time slot, followed by a 15-minute group dance. Actors should read the play and prepare to present one of the following: a contemporary comic monologue; a humorous story or an extended joke; or a comic standup routine. 

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.

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.

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.

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.