URI Theater Holding Open 'Spamalot' Auditions

KINGSTON, RI — The University of Rhode Island Theater Department is holding open auditions for the upcoming spring show, "Monty Python's Spamalot." Auditions will be held on Jan. 20 and 21 and are open to the public.

The show is a comedic, musical adaptation of the 1975 classic, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," winning three Tony awards and three Drama Desk awards following its premier in 2004.

Auditions will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Jan. 2o and from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Jan. 21 in G Studio of the Fine Arts Center at 105 Upper College Road, on the Kingston campus. Callbacks will be held on Jan. 24 at 6 p.m., also in G Studio. To register, call 401-874-5921 or sign up in person outside the theater office on the second floor.

Each actor will be given a a five-minute time slot, followed by a 15-minute group dance. Those auditioning should prepare a contemporary comic monologue, humorous story or extended joke or comic stand up routine, one to two minutes long. All auditions should be performed in an accent: British, Cockney, French, Scottish, Irish or German.

For the vocal audition, sheet music music be provided. Actors are asked to memorize 32 bars of two contrasting songs in the proper key. No a capella singing will be allowed.

Bring tap shoes for the dance portion. If you don't have tap shoes, wear character shoes or heels to learn a tap combination.

The following roles are available:

• 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 show will run from April 16 to 19, directed by Paula McGlasson with musical direction by Lila Kane and choreography by Dante Sciarra.