By SUE SUCHYTA
The Tony Award-winning Best Musical “Spamalot” opens a four-weekend run May 1 at the Players Guild of Dearborn. Show times are 8 p.m. May 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23, and 2:30 p.m. May 3, 10, 17 and 24 at the theater, 21730 Madison in Dearborn.
Tickets are $18. To order, or for more information, call 313-561-TKTS or go to playersguildofdearborn.org.
The irreverent adult musical comedy, based on the 1975 film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” features music by John DuPrez, Eric Idle and Neil Innes, and book and lyrics by Idle.
Director Kim Donovan of Farmington Hills said she knew she wanted to direct “Spamalot” when she could not stop laughing while reading the script and re-watching the movie.
“This show is wonderfully politically incorrect and I knew our Guild would be able to do it justice,” she said.
Donovan said she is excited to have her daughter Maura as her assistant director.
“She’s been a wonderful person to bounce ideas off of, and has given some very valuable input to the show,” Donovan said. “She really has a great grasp for knowing what a production needs to move smoothly from scene to scene, and has made some terrific suggestions.”
It doesn’t matter whether you are a past or present Monty Python fan, Donovan said, because the show is so funny, everyone will enjoy its humor.
“This is one of those shows where you simply can’t help yourself — you laugh, and laugh and laugh,” Donovan said. “I’m sure those who have loved Monty Python forever will get even more out of the show, but it truly does give all audience goers something to enjoy. People should come to the show and let themselves get swept up in some of the silliness. I have laughed so hard tears run down my face!”
She said they have a tremendous cast, which includes her husband, Joe Donovan of Farmington Hills, as King Arthur; Lindsay Frischmuth of Plymouth as the Lady of the Lake; Lindel Salow of Dearborn as Sir Robin; and Kenyada Davis of Detroit as Sir Lancelot.
Also in the cast are Dearborn residents Brian Townsend as Patsy; Ken Kilgore as Sir Galahad; and Phil Booth as Sir Bedevere. Jacob Dombrowski of Westland plays the historian.
The female ensemble includes Joelle Sobczak Schade of Garden City; Liz Kilpatrick of Grosse Ile Township; and Dearborn residents Diane Cliff, Katlyn Harrison, Ashley Youngheim and Meg Kisch.
The male ensemble includes James Mayne of Farmington Hills; Livonia residents Tim Carney and Jeff Lokken; Scott Rider of Lincoln Park; and Dearborn residents Nathan Booth, Richard Moore and Kevin Talanges.
Paul Abbott of Livonia is the musical director, with Valerie Mould of Royal Oak as the choreographer, Maura Donovan of Farmington Hills as assistant director, and co-producers Mike Mayne of Redford and John Sczomak of Dearborn.
OPEN BOOK THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS ‘KIMBERLY AKIMBO’
“Kimberly Akimbo,” written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire, opens a two-weekend run May 1 at the Open Book Theatre Company, at Penelope’s Venue, 12219 Dix Toledo Road in Southgate.
Show times are 8 p.m. May 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9, and 2 p.m. May 3. The matinee will feature a post-show discussion with the artists.
Set in the wilds of suburban New Jersey, 16-year-old Kimberly Levaco has a disease that causes her body to age 4 times faster than normal. Told with humor and emotion, the teen must deal with her own mortality while dealing with a hypochondriac mother, an alcoholic father, a scam-artist aunt and the possibility of first love.
The play contains adult language.
MOT PRESENTS ‘FAUST’
The Michigan Opera Theatre presents Charles Gounod’s “Faust” for four performances in May at the Detroit Opera House, 1526 Broadway in Detroit.
Performances are 7:30 p.m. May 9, 13, and 16, and 2:30 p.m. May 17. Opening night features a live broadcast on WRCJ 90.9 FM, with a 7 p.m. commentary. A free opera talk begins one hour before each performance.
Tickets are available by phone at 313-237-7464, or online at michiganopera.org.
Sung in French, with English supertitle projections, “Faust” features direction by Bernard Uzan, and conduction by Steven Mercurio.
The opera, one of the top 20 performed annually, is the tale of a doctor who sells his soul to the devil for youth and the love of a young woman.
It features rich melodies and amazing arias, including “Jewel Song,” “Soldiers’ Chorus,” and “Even the Bravest Heart May Swell.” The music mirrors Faust’s torment and inevitable death.
American tenor Russell Thomas will perform the role of Faust May 9, 13, and 16, with David Miller singing the role May 17.
Soprano Caitlin Lynch, a Detroit native, sings the role of Marguerite May 9, 13 and 16, with Sarah Joy Miller performing May 17.
Matt Boehler sings Mephistopheles May 9, 13 and 16, with Jamie Offenbach performing May 17.
Others in the cast include John Viscardi as Valentin, Kimberly Sogioka as Siebel, Zachary Coats as Wagner, and Susan Nicely as Martha.