What does it look like to direct such a funny yet wonderfully huge musical such as Spamalot? Director Will Gearring got the chance to talk all things Spamalot!
The comedic masterpiece, Monty Python’s Spamalot is currently playing at Circle Theatre until July 27th. You might have heard the name Monty Python and are not sure how it relates to a musical. Well, Monty Python’s Spamalot is based on the film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail. This musical creates a clever parody of King Arthur’s quest to find the Holy Grail. The musical follows the same storyline as the film with, of course, show-stopping songs and comedic moments. Finding the holy grail is not as simple as it may seem, King Arthur and his knights seem to encounter many challenges along the way, including the Knights Who Say Ni, a killer rabbit, and the Black Knight.
Monty Python’s Spamalot is a big and wondrous show, as much as we love what it is on stage the biggest question is how did that come to be? The remarkable director of this whimsical musical, Will Gearring got to touch on his experience with directing this fantastic show at Circle Theatre.
This show is unlike any other, many directors would turn their heads because of the feat that this show carries, why did you specifically want to direct this show? “ I wanted to direct something that was just a lot of fun. The last few shows that I directed were intense in a way that left me needing something that was bright and cheery that would make audiences laugh and enjoy an evening out, but I still wanted a challenge. Spamalot has been both a funny farce designed to entertain and has a lot of technical and logistic problems to solve.” Will is a familiar face with Circle Theatre as he has been a director for a few years now, although you have directed before, were there some challenges you faced when directing this show? “How in the world am I going to get everyone and everything on stage when it needs to be.” This musical has over 125 costumes and over 14 choreographed numbers, making sure everyone is where they need to be and constantly seen is definitely a task that can be challenging.
There is an army full of people behind this production, how did you work with the designers (set, costume, lighting, sound) to bring your vision to life? “From very early on, even before auditions, I expressed to every designer the core of this show is “fun.” Because it’s such a big show, if we’re not having fun producing it then how is that going to show itself when it’s in front of an audience? We collaborated on all the ideas of how costumes would work, choreography, lighting, sound, fight choreography, and props design to showcase the joy of the show.” This show is definitely a fun one and you will not stop laughing, that is for sure! Along with the production team, of course let’s acknowledge the incredible actors on stage, what was the collaboration like with the actors in shaping their characters? “I am still counting myself so grateful and lucky to have a cast of actors who came to work. Each one of them put their hearts and souls into what you see on stage. All of their ideas of how the characters emote and interact were just “chef’s kiss” incredible.” Who wouldn’t want to see all their hard work onstage!
Monty Python’s Spamalot opened first on Broadway in 2005, the film, Monty Python and The Holy Grail was released in 1975, and the Broadway Revival opened last year in 2023, why do you believe this show has stood the test of time? “I think Monty Python in general is going to be one of those general rediscovery things. I was introduced to it at a young age by older folks and now we’re introducing it to a new generation along with giving the past generations a fond memory from early years. Hopefully, that kind of thing will allow it to stand the test of time.” Circle Theatre had performed Spamalot a whole decade ago, did you take any inspiration from Circle Theatre’s Spamalot from 2014? “I actually didn’t take anything knowingly from the last production of it. I do remember seeing it in person ten years ago, but I wasn’t actively trying to recreate what they had done. I wanted this production to be its own thing rather than an adaptation of what that team had done before.” While this show has many moments throughout it, are there any themes or messages you hope the audience will take away? “Always look on the bright side of life!” Who wouldn’t want to look on the bright side of life, if only that was a song in the show….
You still have the chance to see Will Gearring’s direction of Monty Python’s Spamalot, which is currently playing at Circle Theatre until July 27th.