Hodges and Hodges Set the Stage for SPAMALOT! Plays the Orpheum April 10 thru 22

Hodges and Hodges Set the Stage for SPAMALOT at San Francisco’s Orpheum Theatre!

A wild and wacky acting troupe will be making their way to the City by the Bay and they’ll be holding court at the Orpheum Theatre April 10 – 22^nd.   They are, to quote Sir Robin from the show, “a different people, a multi-talented people, a people . . . who need people . . . and who are, in many ways, the luckiest people in the world.”  San Francisco audience members are also the luckiest people in the world because they’ll be playing host to Monty Python’s SPAMALOT, winner of three Tony Awards, including Best Musical plus nominations for fourteen others. The musical comedy sensation, “lovingly ripped off” from the film classic “Monty Python and The Holy Grail,” invites theatre-goers to embark on a journey filled with side-splitting laughter and lots of great music.

Camelot!  Camelot!  No wait – SPAMALOT!

SPAMALOT tells the tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on their quest for the Holy Grail.  On their way they eat “ham and jam and spam…a lot! Since they’ve been sent on their quest by none other than the big guy in the sky (a.k.a. God, a.k.a the voice of John Cleese) they rush off in search of the legendary object.  As in the famous movie “Monty Python and The Holy Grail,” we meet a great band of characters like the famous Knights who say Ni, the Black Knight, the Lady of The Lake, and of course, God.  Through plagues, dealings with psychotic knights and the Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog, as well as dastardly French taunters, we follow King Arthur and his faithful sidekick Patsy on their quest for the Grail. 

And, lucky for us, they're looking for the grail right here in our own fair city.  You aren’t going to want to miss seeing SPAMALOT!

What to watch for – from Nick:

Anyone who is a fan of the Monty Python crew knows and loves their comedy -- and original Python Eric Idle wrote the musical’s book and lyrics -- so we know the material is good.  One thing about the group’s comedy was that they weren’t fans of “punch lines.”  They said things that were funny just to be funny without needing the proverbial punch line to wrap it up nicely with a bow.  That being said, comedy is very hard.  I will be looking for the timing and delivery from the cast because timing is absolutely everything for this show.  I hope that this cast will live up to the Monty Python legacy in full, absurd fashion!

What to watch for – from Linda:  Sara Ramirez won the Tony for her role as Lady of the Lake and she was phenomenal.  It’s a tough act to follow. The part calls for an E below middle C to the holy grail of a B above high C.  ‘The Lady’ sings many musical styles and must have dead-on comedic timing.  Watch for the physical humor but listen for some amazing high notes, dazzling scat singing and a belt that should knock your socks off!

Go on your own quest for all things Spamalot before the show!

Visit dilapidated Albion Castle and maybe find . . . the Holy Grail! – Albion Castle, located in San Francisco’s Indian Basin, was built in 1870 and was established as a historic landmark in 1974.  If you want a true SPAMALOT experience then you must go see this 140 year old castle with its underground caves hidden in the city.  Go visit and see if you are turned away by French taunters!  www.albioncastle.us/

Can you spot the Lady of the Lake? – San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park holds beautiful gardens, walkways, museums and Stow Lake, where it’s said that on foggy San Francisco nights you can see the Lady of the Lake!  Stow Lake surrounds Strawberry Hill and visitors can rent rowboats and pedal boats from the boathouse.  Rent one and see if you can peek down and see Excalibur! www.golden-gate-park.com

Take the kids on an exploration of their own – The Exploratorium is filled with strange and wonderful things that all have to do with science.  Explore the Tactile Dome or take a crawl through a pitch black maze with ups, downs, twists, and turns, where your only guide is your sense of touch.  It’s almost like going through the cave of the treacherous Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog. http://www.exploratorium.edu/index.php

Grab some coconuts and go riding! –It’s just so sad that “a five ounce swallow could not carry a one pound coconut” all the way to San Francisco for us to ride, so I guess we’ll have to settle for the real thing.  Just minutes south of San Francisco rests the Mar Vista Stable where you can enjoy a beautiful horseback ride on the beach along the majestic Pacific Ocean.  Extremely well priced the Mar Vista Stable is the place to go to ride like royalty.  http://www.marvistastable.com/

You must eat spam before the show!  Spam Musubi is a popular dish in Hawaii made of rice balls, dried seaweed and a generous slice of spam on top.  We don’t know if they serve ham and jam, but L&L Hawaiian Barbeque has SPAM!  Stop by for a quick and inexpensive lunch and enjoy your spam a lot!   http://www.sanfranciscolandl.com/

Monty Python antics – Just looking for something weird and wacky to do?  Then Pier 39 is where you want to be.  While hosting a plethora of activities you must see the amazing Magonwan’s Infinite Mirror Maze, a blaze of dazzling colors that enchant and delight as you travel through the maze.  Pier 39 also hosts the Pier 39 Street Performers.  These multi-talented tricksters, magicians, jugglers, and comedians entertain visitors daily at the Crystal Geyser APLINE SPRING WATER Stage.  Shows there are free and guest can marvel at these zany performers before going to the show.  http://www.pier39.com/index.cfm

Hodges and Hodges will see you there opening night.  Get your tickets now!

SPAMALOT
April 10 - April 22, 2012
Orpheum Theatre
www.shnsf.com
Book Eric Idle
Music John Du Prez" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Du_Prez">John Du Prez, Eric Idle" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Idle">Eric Idle, Neil Innes
Lyrics Eric Idle
Basis 1975 Monty Python film Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Photo courtesy of Scott Suchman 2011