Catchy musical numbers, elaborate sequined costumes, flying cows and four Syracuse University students.

These are just a few things to expect from the Central New York Playhouse’s rendition of the Broadway hit musical, “Spamalot.” The local production opened Sept. 6, and will run through Sept. 21. Tickets for the Thursday and Sunday shows cost $20, and tickets for Friday and Saturday shows are $25.

Based on the revered film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” “Spamalot” tells the tale of King Arthur as he journeys across England in search of potential knights for his round table. Arthur and his men then set off in search of the Holy Grail. The show, which first debuted on Broadway in 2005, features a male-dominated cast, but includes coed performers who play numerous roles throughout the performance.

“I am a showgirl in one scene and I’m a townsperson in another,” said Lauren Green, a sophomore public relations major and member of the show’s female ensemble. “I’m a laker girl, I’m a cheerleader, I’m a bride at the end and I’m a doctor. There are a bunch of different characters in each scene basically to carry on the show.”

Allie Villa, a senior public relations major, and Catie Bauman, a sophomore vocal performance major, are also both members of the female ensemble. Anthony Wright, a senior Spanish and television, radio and film major is part of the male ensemble. While none of the four students study acting or musical theater at SU, they still find time to fit off-campus productions like “Spamalot” into their busy schedules.

“I’ve found myself really fortunate to still be able to do shows on the outside and balance it with my schoolwork and my other activities here,” Villa said.

The four students first met last year when Bauman and Green – freshmen at the time – were part of First Year Players’ production of “The Wedding Singer.” Villa and Wright – who worked together their freshman year in “The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” – coached the younger actors as assistant choreographer and music director, respectively.

Throughout the course of production, the students involved in “Spamalot” have grown closer by carpooling to rehearsals and working together onstage. Villa said one of the most memorable parts of the show has been dancing onstage with her best friend, Wright.

Aside from developing closer relationships with one another, Villa said she cherishes the moments when she comes out on stage and hears the audience respond — not with applause, but with laughter. Bauman also said she feels her hard work is paying off when she hears the audience in a live performance.

“It’s such a funny show, so it’s great to finally hear laughter, and feeding off the energy from the audience has been really nice,” Bauman said.

During rehearsals and run-throughs, the cast only performed for a handful of people, including the show’s director, who Villa said would quietly laugh from time to time, but did not provide the same enthusiasm that audiences have been giving during performances.

Both Green and Bauman feel especially proud of their hard work, as they joined the show two weeks prior to production. After going home for the summer, the two girls returned to rehearsals with about 10 musical numbers to learn and a lot of choreography to practice. The other cast members, Bauman said, have been great to work with and supportive of both girls.

With just two weekends and seven performances left before “Spamalot” closes, the SU students are enjoying their time performing together for a local audience in a local production.

Said Green: “There’s nothing like performing when there is an audience out there laughing at the work you’ve produced.”

Published on September 18, 2013 at 9:45 pm

Contact Katie: kjrichar@syr.edu | @ktjrichards