Press Releases

Grab Your Coconuts and Gallop Down to Manasquan For A Night of Comic Genius

EVENT INFORMATION
What:
"Monty Python's SPAMALOT"

Who:
Algonquin Arts Theatre

Dates & Times:
Friday, April 12, 2013 • 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 13, 2013 • 8 p.m.
Sunday, April 14, 2013 • 3 p.m.
Friday, April 19, 2013 • 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 20, 2013 • 8 p.m.
Sunday, April 21, 2013 • 3 p.m.

Location:
Algonquin Arts Theatre
173 Main Street, Manasquan, N.J., 08736

Tickets:
Adults: $33 / 28
Seniors: $31 / 26
Students: $23 / 18
Group rates available for 10 or more. Individual tickets subject to $2 per ticket processing fee.

To Purchase or for Information:
732-528-9211 or algonquinarts.org

MANASQUAN, N.J. (April 4, 2013) � Algonquin Arts Theatre presents Monty Python's SPAMALOT for two weekends spanning April 12 to 21 promising entertainment like you've never seen or heard here before.

In 2005, Monty Python member Eric Idle created SPAMALOT based on the film he took part in creating 30 years prior, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." The Algonquin will become the first theatre in the state to produce "SPAMALOT" with the rights to the Tony Award-winner just recently becoming available for production in this region.

Broadway Ray sponsors the show, which opens Friday, April 12, at 8 p.m. and continues on Saturday, April 13, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 14, at 3 p.m. The second weekend of shows will be Friday, April 19, and Saturday, April 20, at 8 p.m.; and Sunday, April 21, at 3 p.m.

Tickets are available online at algonquinarts.org, by calling 732-528-9211 or by stopping in to the box office (12-6 p.m. weekdays, 12-4 p.m. Saturdays) at 173 Main Street. Tickets start at $28 for adults, $26 for seniors and $18 for students. Limited quantities of premium seating are available for $5 more. All tickets are subject to $2 processing fees.

The fictitious Monty Python, first created in 1969 for their British comedy television show, "Monty Python's Flying Circus," has grown to have a life of his own fronting films like "The Holy Grail," "The Life of Brian," "The Meaning of Life," and "And Now for Something Completely Different." Monty Python consisted of British natives Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. The groups first film "And Now for Something Completely Different" consisted of bits from their television show, whereas "The Holy Grail" experimented with new ideas which gave it the claim of being Monty Python's "first" film.

It's been said that what the Beatles did for music, Monty Python did for comedy.

Produced in 1975, and directed by Gilliam and Jones, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" was filmed primarily in Scotland with a $400,000 budget in a short five weeks. Having little money to start with, they found themselves backed by investors that included musical groups Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Genesis and individual such as George Harrison and Andrew Lloyd Webber. The Python's only had access to a few castles in Scotland so they were forced to make do with what they had, shooting the castle from various angles and distances while also using castle miniatures. Instead of horses - which they could not afford - they used coconut halves to replicate the clippety-clop of horse hooves like radio programming from half a decade earlier.

"Holy Grail" is loosely based on the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table and their search for the Holy Grail. Throughout their journey they experience many odd encounters such as a task from the Knights who say Ni, a short conversation with an arguing Three-Headed Giant, and a narrow escape from the Legendary Black Beast of Aaaaarrrrrrggghhh.

In 2000, Total Film magazine voted "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" the fifth Greatest Comedy Film of All Time, and their next, "Monty Python's Life of Brian" No. 1. In 2004, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" was named by film fans as the best British picture of all time by the United Kingdom arm of Amazon and the Internet Movie Database.

When creating "SPAMALOT," Idle collaborated with John Du Prez who wrote much of the music. Du Prez had worked with Idle and the Python gang previously on many of the projects listed above and also had created music for several other well-known films including the original "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles I, II & III" and "UHF."

In Python's trademark style, the show is funny � but doesn't necessarily make any sense. The plot is, as the show's credits state "lovingly ripped off" from "Holy Grail" but in order to stand alone and have general appeal the creators added some show business send-up and borrowed pieces of the Python cannon including the well-known whistling tune, "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" from "Life of Brian."

When it all comes together, "SPAMALOT" features a shameless parade of puns, a posse of knights in tights (also shameless), a bevy of beautiful showgirls and a dazzling diva not to mention cows, killer rabbits, and some really terrible fake French accents. It's an extravaganza that shan't be missed!

"SPAMALOT" is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide. And lest ye forget, SPAM is a registered trademark of Hormel Foods, LLC, and is fresh off celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2012.

About Algonquin Arts Theatre:

Algonquin Arts Theatre (AAT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1992 with the mission to provide cultural enhancement and arts education to all audiences at the Jersey Shore through high-quality performances and programs in theatre, music, film and dance. The end goal is to foster appreciation of the arts and promote lifelong learning, particularly among underserved audiences including the economically disadvantaged, senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.

Algonquin Arts Theatre's programs are made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; by funds from the Paul F. Zito, M.D. Educational Foundation, by Simon Kaufman, Esq. & Maria Zito-Kaufman and remembering Marialana and her love for children and the arts.