The last time Rich Snyder of La Porte was on the La Porte Little Theatre stage was a year ago for the October run of the musical “Guys and Dolls.”
But Snyder’s first time ever performing on the La Porte stage, now in its 97th season, was at age 7, as a child actor for a small role in the musical “Camelot.”
“I remember thinking back then as a kid that I’d love to one day to be wearing the crown as King Arthur on this stage,” Snyder said.
“Now I’m age 57, and I am playing King Arthur, just not exactly in the same type of role as I might have envisioned. But this is even more fun anyway.”
Snyder’s reign in the spotlight is Oct. 7 to 16 in La Porte Little Theatre’s new musical comedy “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” with performances at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.
The clever spoof of medieval life is an adapted stage musical from the classic 1975 British humor film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” with book and lyrics by Eric Idle and a score created by Idle and John Du Prez, retelling a farcical version legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.
Along the way, the audience is part of the jolly journey, coming face-to-face with half-dead peasants, fish-slapping villagers, beautiful show girls and catapulting cows, all in the name of over-the-top comedy stage sendup.
The 2005 Broadway production won three Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and received 14 Tony Award nominations. That original Broadway run was also seen by more than two million people, proving box office popularity with favorite musical number songs such as “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” “I Am Not Dead Yet,” “The Song that Goes Like This” and “The Diva’s Lament (Whatever Happened to My Part).”
Director Matt Robinson of La Porte, who appeared in previous La Porte Little Theatre productions of “Matilda” and “Clue,” said he quickly discovered “Spamalot” lives up to its name.
“The emphasis is on the ‘A LOT’ part of the show name, because there is definitely a lot needed for doing this show,” said Robinson, who wrangles not only a cast of 18 onstage, but also a creative team of eight people behind-the-scenes.
“There are so many props needed in this show, as well as quite a massive set to construct. We have a castle on stage that has two 16-foot towers. I’ve never seen a stage production of ‘Spamalot’ but I did grow up watching ‘Monty Python’ as a big fan.”
Robinson said during the auditions earlier in the summer, he was impressed by the great response of talent eager to snag roles.
“Normally, the script calls for quite a bit of double casting,” Robinson said.
“However, we had so many talented people come out for our auditions, we wanted to cast as many people as possible, because even the smaller roles have such key moments in the stage story to grab audience attention.”
Tim Slatton of Michigan City is cast as Sir Robin, a role he is reprising after first stepping behind this character’s chicken-motif shield and armor in 2014 for a run of “Spamalot” produced my Ross Music Theatre in Merrillville.
“We have a cast with great comedy chemistry,” Slatton said.
“In fact, some of these scenes are so funny, it becomes difficult to not laugh at everything around you that is unfolding in that moment.”
Robinson said the costuming for a large and elaborate production such as “Spamalot” is equally challenging.
“Rather than attempt to make all of these costumes, we decided to research other options,” Robinson said.
“We found a community theatre in Florida who had recently done ‘Spamalot’ and they wanted to sell their entire lot of show costumes. We made the purchase and had everything shipped up to us. And once we are done with our show, we hope to do the same, shields and all.”
‘Monty Python’s Spamalot’
When: Oct. 7-16
Where: La Porte Little Theatre, 218 A St., La Porte
Cost: $17; $16 seniors and $13 for students
Information: 219-362-5113; laportelittletheatreclub.com
Philip Potempa is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
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