The Southwestern College performing arts faculty had auditions in January, and have cast and begun rehearsals for Monty Python’s “Spamalot,” which will play in Southwestern’s Richardson Performing Arts Center March 5, 7, and 8.

The cast for the Broadway hit, produced by the SC performing arts division, began advertising auditions in the fall semester. Students from the music and theatre programs at Southwestern, along with talented actors, dancers, and musicians from across the disciplines began preparations for auditions for the many roles in the Monty Python musical theatre comedy.  Prospective area high school and community college students were also contacted and invited to audition to participate in the demanding production. 

“We have been blessed with enormous musical theatre talent for generations here at Southwestern College, as well as in the Winfield community and surrounding area,” says SC theatre professor Roger Moon, who is directing the “Spamalot” production.  “When SC’s brilliant new music faculty arrived this fall, including Dr. Brian Winnie, (director of choral activities and voice), and Dr. Amber Peterson, (chair for strings education and conductor of the South Kansas Symphony), along with Stephen Butler, as instructor of music theory and pianist, we looked at the wonderful people we already work with in the community and decided to open the doors further so prospective students can get to know our faculty and have a chance to work with them.”  

“Yazmin Wood, Southwestern’s instructor of dance, is a superb choreographer, as well as dance teacher,” says Allyson Moon, Southwestern’s director of theatre and also costume designer for “Spamalot.”  “We want all of our prospective students to know of the highly personalized attention and professional training Yazmin brings to SC.”

“Auditions at the beginning of the spring semester led to callbacks and selection of a talented ensemble, who play many roles as they did in the 2005 Broadway production,” Roger Moon says. 

 According to Roger Moon, the outrageous Monty Python style consistently has challenged performers to play multiple roles from the popular 1960’s British television show to the 1975 movie “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” and on to the 2005 Broadway production of “Spamalot.”  Tim Curry, star of television, film, and stage, who played Arthur on Broadway, was one of the only actors in that cast who did not play multiple roles.

“We decided the casting of actors in multiple roles is part of the charm of the show and have cast SC’s production in that way. Only one actor, William Wade, who is playing King Arthur, is the only actor playing one role,” Roger Moon says.  

Winfield actors include senior Mariah Warren, cast as the Lady of the Lake, and sophomore Phoebe Muldrow, who will play King Arthur’s right hand “man,” Patsy. Both actors will have the opportunity to play at least one other role, though Warren will be totally disguised, which is necessary for her role according to Roger Moon.

Other major roles in the “Spamalot” ensemble include Arkansas City’s John Rohr, appearing as Dennis Galahad; Austin Davis, Colorado Springs,  Colo., will be playing Sir Lancelot; Zoe Rea, Salina, will be playing Sir Robin; and Nikia Smith, Syracuse, will play Sir Bedevere.  
“All four actors will delight audiences in multiple other roles.  They are gifted comic actors, singers, and dancers,” says Roger Moon.
Other SC actors in the ensemble from Winfield who will play multiple roles include senior Jacob Marney, who will play Herbert’s Father among his many roles, and freshman Shelby Guffey, whose many roles will include Mrs. Galahad. 

Senior actors include Caitlin Harris, Edmond, Okla., in roles which include the Historian and Lead Minstrel; and Juliette Lowrance, Coffeyville, who will play the Finnish Mayor, and will also be props master.  

Louise Kavanagh, an international student from Ireland who has considerable professional experience, will play Not Dead Fred along with numerous other dancing and comic roles.

SC ensemble juniors in the cast include Justin Godwin, Tuscaloosa, Ala., whose roles include the Black Knight; and Leslie Pasarell, League City, Texas, who plays many roles including the French Taunter.

Sophomore SC students in the ensemble include Allie Petrovich, Colorado Springs, Colo., who performs in ten roles, along with being assistant choreographer and dance captain, and Meagan Morrow, Bartlesville, Okla., whose roles range from English Knight to Brother Maynard. 

Southwestern freshmen include Noah Meadows, Bartlesville, Okla., whose roles include the English Guard who questions Arthurs kingship because he pretends to ride a horse to the sound of clacking coconuts; and Jose Delgado-Castro, Richardson, Texas, whose roles include Sir Bors who is beheaded by the deadly “Rabbit.”

Local students selected for the production include Nate Lee of Winfield High School, as Herbert, along with countless other roles; Arkansas City High School senior Ross Ferris whose singing, dancing, and acting talents led him to be cast in ten ensemble roles; and Bella Wood of Arkansas City, who dances as the Flying Nun, a Not Yet Dead body, and French, Jewish, and English chorus.

The stage manager for “Spamalot” is Anna Rosell, Wichita, and Tori Fairbank, Garden City, is the assistant stage manager.
Lee Jones, the Southwestern College technical director and manager of the TOMARI Center, is designing sets and projections which will be a major part of the design. Co-assistant lighting designers are Eli Rodda, Winfield, and Meagan Morrow. 

Reservations for “Spamalot,” which is a dinner theatre production, will go on sale beginning Feb. 19 and may be made by calling (620) 221-7720 or by e-mailing PerformingArts@sckans.edu.