SAROFIM HALL

1 4 - 2 6 , 2 0 1 3M A Y

AT THE HOBBY CENTER

THEATRE UNDER THE STARS · 2012/ 13 CONTENT GUIDEAbout TUTS

Founded in 1968, Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is Houston’s acclaimed non-profit musical theatre company. Since its founding by Frank M. Young, TUTS has produced more than 300 musicals including many local, national and world premieres. As a way to continue the tradition of musical theatre, TUTS’ Education provides barrier-free instruction and stage experience, through the Humphreys School of Musical Theatre and The River program for children

with special needs. TUTS also annually presents the Tommy Tune Awards, honoring the best and brightest in Houston’s high school theatre programs. TUTS is now housed in the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Glance towards the sky before you enjoy a performance at the Hobby Center; the fiber-optic ceiling keeps TUTS “under the stars” all year long. TUTS is pleased to present the 2012/13 sensational season From Camelot to Spamalot:A Lot to Love!

THEATRE ETIQUETTE

Save snacks for intermission.

Turn your cell phones and electronics off completely.

No texting!

Arrive about 30 minutes before the show starts.

Applaud at the end of songs and scenes. Otherwise, shhhhh!

3

COMI

NG U

P IN

THE

2012

/13 M

AINS

TAGE

SEA

SON JEKYLL & HYDE

PETER PAN

CAMELOT

MAN OF LA MANCHA

SPAMALOT

FLASHDANCE

October 9-21, 2012

December 11-23, 2012

January 22 - February 3, 2013

February 26 - March 10, 2013

May 14 - 26, 2013

June 4 - 16, 2013

......... 7

......... 8

......... 9

........ 10

........ 11

........ 12

STORY BEHIND THE STORYWHO’S WHO: KING ARTHUR

KNIGHT’S ROUND TABLETHE HOLY GRAIL

TYPES OF COMMEDYLEARNING ACTIVITIES

5 .........6 .........

RATING GUIDEDETAILED SYNOPSIS

13 .........14 .........

14 .........15 .........

A BRIEF HISTORY PUTTING ON A SHOWTHEATRE ETIQUETTEABOUT TUTS

CURTAIN CALL: LEARNING ACTIVITIES

BACKSTAGE: ABOUT MUSICAL THEATRE

CENTER STAGE: A LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE

TABLE OF CONTENTSTUTS creates online content guides to further enhance students’ theatrical experiences. The content guides contain various discussion questions, projects and activities that encourage students to engage with parents and/or teachers that will hopefully foster a love and appreciation of musical theatre.

TUTS 2012/2013 STUDENT MATINEESLEGALLY BLONDE PG-13Sept. 14,2012at 10AM, Zilkha Hall

FLAT STANLEY GMarch 19-22, 2013at 9:30 & 11:15AM, Zilkha Hall

SCROOGE GNov. 27-30,2012at 9:30 & 11:15AM, Zilkha Hall

CAMELOT-MAINSTAGE GJan. 30, 2013at 10AM, Sarofim Hall

UNDER$10

THEATRE UNDER THE STARS · 2012/ 13 CONTENT GUIDE

TEKS

Summary & Characters

Back by popular demand, Monty Python’s SPAMALOT is the outrageous musical comedy lovingly ripped off from the film classic “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” With music and lyrics by the Grammy-Award winning team of Eric Idle and John Du Prez and book by Mr. Idle, SPAMALOT tells the story of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on their quest for the Holy Grail. Flying cows, killer rabbits, taunting Frenchmen and show-stopping musical numbers are just a few of the reasons audiences everywhere are eating up SPAMALOT.

Please visit http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/ for more information.

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills

For a more detailed synopsis, see page 5 of this content guide.

EnglishI: 110.31 (2, 13, 14, 15, 20-23, 24, 25) II: 110.32 (13, 14, 15, 20-23, 25)III: 110.33 (13, 14, 15, 20-23, 25)IV: 110.33 (13, 14, 15, 20-23, 25)

TheatreI: 117.64 (5)II: 117.65 (5)III: 117.66 (4, 5) IV: 117.67 (2, 5)

MusicI: 117.60 (6) II: 117.61 (6)III: 117.62 (6)IV: 117.63 (6)

Photos: National Tour, courtesy of Phoenix Entertainment

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

King Arthur: King of the Britons Guinevere: Queen of CamelotPatsy: King Arthur’s horse Lady of the Lake: An aquatic diva and Arthur’s helping hand throughout his quest Sir Lancelot: One of Arthur’s Knights, the homicidally brave oneSir Robin: One of Arthur’s Knights, the Not-quite-so-brave-as-Sir-Lancelot oneSir Galahad: One of Arthur’s Knights, the dashingly handsome one Sir Bedevere: One of Arthur’s Knights, the strangely flatulent Herbert: The prince who Sir Lancelot rescuesConcord: Sir Lancelot’s horseBrother Maynard: Keeper of the Holy Hand GrenadeThe Laker Girls: The Lady of the Lake’s back-up dancers/cheerleaders

Photos: National Tour, courtesy of Phoenix Entertainment

RATING GUIDESPAMalot may have some some material that is not suitable for children. TUTS gives this show a movie rating of PG.

Adult Language: The words ass, hell, and God damn it are all said once. The word damn/dammit is said twice. The word shit is said at least 5 times and the word bastard is said at least 6 times. Patsy calls Arthur a twot.

Violence: The people of Finland slap each other with fish. In Plague Village, Robin is collecting the dead. Lancelot hits multiple people with shovels and kills wedding guests. The French throw a cow and other animals at the English. The song “Brave Sir Robin” describes many graphic ways to die. King Arthur cuts off the black knight’s arms and legs. Concord gets shot by an arrow. The rabbit violently kills one of the knights, and they throw a hand grenade at the rabbit.

THEATRE UNDER THE STARS · 2012/ 13 CONTENT GUIDEParental Guidelines

Drugs/Alcohol: Dennis gestures to suggest Arthur has been drinking. There are cocktail maids in “Knights of the Round Table.”

Sexual References: The Lady of the Lake performs a strip tease out of a suit of armor. God tells the men to stop looking up his skirt. The French threaten to wave their private parts and make rude, suggestive gestures to Arthur and his men. The ladies have on revealing outfits in “You Won’t Succeed on Broadway.” Lancelot is outed as being gay after rescuing Herbert. Herbert and Lancelot are a couple in the end.

CENTER STAGE: A LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDEDetailed Synopsis

ACT ONE

A historian introduces King Arthur and his quest. When he is finished, the people of Finland take over the stage singing, dancing, and slapping each other with fish (Fisch Schlapping Song). The historian reminds them that the setting is England, and the people of Finland exit, embarrassed.

King Arthur and Patsy gallop in, with Patsy banging coconut halves in the rhythm of a horse’s gallop. They are stopped by two guards who inquire about the coconuts. Arthur becomes impatient with the conversation and rides away.

Robin, the Dead Collector in Plague Village, is making his rounds. Lancelot brings a man to the cart who claims he is not dead yet. Assured that the man will die soon, Robin tells Lancelot about enlisting to be a knight. While they are conversing, the dying man attempts to prove he is not dead (He Is Not Dead Yet). Lancelot hits the man with a shovel, and Robin and Lancelot are off to enlist.

Arthur and Patsy are riding when they come across Dennis Galahad. Dennis’ mother joins them, and Arthur explains how the Lady of the Lake made him King. They are skeptical, and Dennis tells Arthur that if he can prove the Lady of the Lake is real, then he will join Arthur’s army. Arthur calls on the Lady of the Lake, and she takes Dennis away to prepare him for the army (Come with Me). Her Laker girls stay with Arthur (The Laker Girls). Dennis and the Lady of the Lake return, and Dennis is entirely transformed. They sing a dramatic ballad together (The Song that Goes Like This).

The historian introduces King Arthur and his newly enlisted Knights. The Knights gather around a campfire (All For One). Arthur interrupts them and says they are going to Camelot (Knights of the Round Table).

In Camelot, a bolt of lightning strikes, and the feet of God appear. God instructs Arthur to begin a quest in search of the Holy Grail. While the Knights are discussing God’s request, the Lady of the Lake enters with a grail (Find Your Grail).

The journey begins, and they reach a French castle. Arthur tells the guard that they are on a quest to find the Holy Grail. The French claim they already have one but refuse to show it to Arthur. To get inside the castle, Arthur’s men use a “Trojan Horse” shaped like a rabbit. They forget to hide inside, and the French throw animals at them, causing the Knights to retreat (Run Away!).

ACT TWO

During the retreat, Arthur and his men were separated and are now lost in an expansive forest. Arthur and Patsy are stopped by the Knights Who Say Ni, who will not let Arthur and Patsy pass until they bring them a shrubbery.

With all the setbacks, Arthur is depressed, and Patsy attempts to cheer him up (Always Look on the Bright Side of Life). A woman comes by with a shrubbery, and Arthur and Patsy take it and rush away.

Sir Robin gallops in with four singing minstrels (Brave Sir Robin). They come across the Black Knight, and Robin soils his pants. He runs away, and the minstrels continue singing. After Robin’s retreat, Arthur comes across the Black Knight. Arthur fights the Black Knight and cuts off all his limbs. Arthur and Patsy are now free to pass.

Robin is reunited with Arthur and Patsy, and they present the shrubbery to the Knights Who Say Ni. They like the shrubbery, but they have changed their name and give Arthur a new task. Arthur must now put on a Broadway musical. Robin explains why Jews are essential to a successful show (You Won’t Succeed on Broadway).

Lancelot and Concord are riding through the forest when Concord gets shot with an arrow. There is a note with a cry of distress tied to the arrow. Lancelot goes to save the person who sent out the cry, leaving Concord with his injury.

The Lady of the Lake wonders what happened to her part in the show (The Diva’s Lament).

Lancelot arrives at the castle to find Prince Herbert being locked up in a tower. Lancelot is surprised the cry of distress was sent by a man. Prince Herbert attempts to escape out the window, and his father cuts the rope. The prince survives, and his father is annoyed. Lancelot defends the prince (His Name is Lancelot).

Arthur and Patsy are unsuccessfully searching for Jews for their Broadway play, and Arthur becomes depressed again (I’m All Alone). The Lady of the Lake comes to help Arthur and instructs him on how to finish the show (Reprise: The Song that Goes Like This)

Arthur and his Knights are reunited and come across an enchanter. The enchanter says there is a clue to finding the grail in a cave behind him. There is a beast guarding the clue, and Arthur uses the Holy Hand Grenade to defeat the beast. They find the clue, and it leads them to the grail. Arthur is thrilled they can finish the show, and Arthur and the Lady of the Lake are married (Reprise: We Are Not Yet Wed).

CURTAIN CALL: LEARNING ACTIVITIESStory Behind the Story

STORY BEHIND THE STORY

JOHN DU PREZ- Composer(December 14, 1946 - )

(March 29, 1943 - )ERIC IDLE- Book, Lyrics, and Music

Monty Python, sometimes called the Pythons, was a British comedy troupe formed in the late 1960s. Its members consisted of Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. They had worked off and on with each other since their time in college, and the six of them finally all came together in 1969 when BBC gave them the money to produce 13 television shows.

Their television show was called Monty Python’s Flying Circus. The show only lasted for four seasons, but from it, the Pythons were able to branch off into film. After the second season they made the film And Now For Something Completely Different in attempt to bring their comedy to the American market. They did not find much success, but tried again with their next movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Fortunately, this film was released about the same time that PBS began airing episodes of Flying Circus. With the television series gaining popularity, Holy Grail was well received by American audiences. The troupe made three more films, Life of Brian, Live at the Hollywood Bowl, and The Meaning of Life. After The Meaning of Life, they went off into solo careers.

The troupe has yet to reunite, but in 2005 their ideas were brought to the stage when SPAMalot premiered on Broadway. Idle wrote the book and lyrics for the show, and had assistance from John Du Prez with the music. Although not exactly the same, the musical is based off of Holy Grail and retains most of the plot and many of the same characters. The show was very successful on Broadway. It was nominated for 14 Tony Awards, and won three, including Best Musical. The show ran on Broadway until 2009, has been produced all over the world, and has toured in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

Eric Idle has made his way through life assiduously avoiding a proper job, from a writer and actor in the legendary Monty Python TV series and movies, to the creator and director of “The Rutles,” the pre-fab four, whose legend will last a lunchtime. He has appeared on stage in drag singing rude songs at Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl as well as performing in two highly successful tours, Eric Idle Exploits Monty Python (2000) and The Greedy Bastard Tour (2003), for which he journeyed 15,000 miles across North America in a bus. His Greedy Bastard Diary of that tour is published by Harper Collins. His play Pass the Butler ran for five months in London’s West End; he has written two novels, Hello Sailor and The Road to Mars, a children’s book, The Quite Remarkable Adventures of the Owl and the Pussycat, and a bedside companion, The Rutland Dirty Weekend Book. Eric Idle was nominated for a Tony Award for Spamalot.

A Trevelyan Scholar at Christ Church, Oxford, and Associate of the Royal College of Music, he entered the film industry in 1978 composing additional music for Monty Python’s Life of Brian. This began a long association with Eric Idle, leading eventually to their current writing partnership. He has scored more than 20 feature films including The Meaning of Life, A Private Function, A Fish Called Wanda, Once Bitten, UHF and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles I,II and III. Other Python projects include The Contractual Obligation Album, Monty Python at the Hollywood Bowl and The Fairly Incomplete & Rather Badly Illustrated Monty Python Song Book. He was musical director for Eric Idle’s two North American stage tours, Eric Idle Exploits Monty Python (2000) and The Greedy Bastard Tour (2003).

Eric Idle John Du Prez

CURTAIN CALL: LEARNING ACTIVITIESWho’s Who: King Arthur

become king by creating a challenge that only Arthur could master. Merlin created a stone with a sword in it and declared that the person that drew the sword out of the stone would become king. Arthur was able to complete the task, and Merlin crowned him King. Following his coronation, Arthur married Guinevere. Her father gave Arthur the Round Table where he and his famous knights sat. Arthur had a very successful reign, and he and his knights won many conquests. Unfortunately Guinevere and one of Arthur’s knights, Lancelot, fell in love and fled the realm together. Arthur followed them and left his cousin, Mordred, in charge of the kingdom. Because Mordred had plans to turn the kingdom against Arthur and take his seat as king, Arthur had to return to stop him. Mordred was killed in the fight, and Arthur was greatly wounded. He was taken to the island of Avalon, and it was never certain if he died or not.

Arthur was probably a Celtic British king or chieftain of the 6th century A.D. who fought against the Saxon invaders of England. The name may also be that of a Celtic god whose mythology was possibly confused with the adventures and life of the historical figure. No wonder King Arthur has gone down in history as one of the most enigmatic heroes of all literature.

Except for his name being mentioned in passing in some ancient manuscripts, Arthur’s story was not written until the twelfth century when Geoffrey of Monmouth’s “History of the Kings of Britain” first appeared.

Over the centuries there has been much debate about the accuracy of his reporting. Though there is much circumstantial evidence that the historic Arthur existed, there is very little scientific proof.

Any attempt to validate King Arthur’s historic origins is difficult due to many variations of the languages at the time, inaccurate and careless record keeping and the unfortunate interpolations of many documents.

The fascination with this legendary figure continues today thanks to his story being filmed many times (including Jerry Bruckheimer’s big-budget 2004 Hollywood film, “King Arthur”), plays and stories written (including a work by Mark Twain), and even a couple of hit Broadway musicals, Rodger’s and Hart’s Connecticut Yankee and Lerner and Loewe’s Camelot have told the story of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. There is even flour, cake mix, and a video game using Arthur’s name.

KING ARTHUR: HISTORY OR LEGENDThe legend of King Arthur has been told many times and in many variations throughout history. A popular version of this legend states that Arthur was the child of Uther and Igraine. At Merlin’s suggestion he was sent away to be raised in secret, in order to be protected from his father’s enemies. When Uther died, the throne appeared to have no heir. Merlin ensured that Arthur would

Photos: National Tour, courtesy of Phoenix Entertainment

CURTAIN CALL: LEARNING ACTIVITIESKnight’s Round Table

WHY IS THE KNIGHT’S TABLE ROUND?We’re knights of the Round Table/ We dance when e’er we’re

able/ We do routines and chorus scenes/ With footwork impecc-able./ We dine well here in Camelot/ We eat ham and

jam and spam a lot./ We’re knights of the Round Table.

-Lyrics from the Spamalot song, “Knights of The Round Table” …

Like most legendary knights, King Arthur’s knights were men of courage, honor, dignity, courtesy and nobility. They protected damsels from distress, honored and fought bravely for their king, and undertook dangerous quests like the search for The Holy Grail in Spamalot.

According to www.timelessmyths.com, these knights were usually of noble birth, and formed the backbone of the army, because they were the only soldiers who could afford expensive armor and weapons, as well as the cost of training and maintaining a war-horse. When the knights attended a festival or council at the king’s main hall, those who sat at the head of the table usually had precedence over others. These knights would feel envy and jealousy toward those of higher rank, sometimes leading to fights over who would take the seat at the head of the table.

To resolve these problems, legend has it the wise King Arthur resorted to having his table constructed in a round shape. The ingenuity of this design was a very simple way to foster equality. No one would have precedence over others. The knights in Arthur’s company became known as the “Knights of the Round Table.”

Another religious reason, according to kingarthurknights.com, is that Arthur felt that “The Round Table was illustrative of the Eternity of God, the equality, unity, and comradeship of the Order, the singleness of purpose of all Knights.” In Arthur’s eyes, all his Knights were equals.

To ensure that the Knights of The Round Table lived and fought to the highest Order of Chivalry at the Court of King Arthur, the Knights were required to follow a strict code of honor and services. According Giovanni Boccaccio in his “De Casibus Virorum Illustrium” there were rules for the Knights to follow.

They were: (1) to never lay down arms; (2) to seek after wonders; (3) when called upon, to defend the

rights of the weak with all one’s strength; (4) to injure no one; (5) not to attack one another; (6) to fight for the safety of one’s country; (7) to give one’s life for one’s country; (8) to seek nothing before honor; (9) never to break faith for any reason; (10) to practice religion most diligently; (11) to grant hospitality to anyone, each according to his ability; (12) whether in honor or disgrace, to make a report with the greatest fidelity to truth to those who keep the annals.

These were great men who have been kept alive through many stories, poems, movies, plays and now Monty Python’s Spamalot.

Photos: National Tour, courtesy of Phoenix Entertainment

CURTAIN CALL: LEARNING ACTIVITIESThe Holy Grail

WAS THERE REALLY AHOLY GRAIL?“If you trust in your soul/ Keep your eyes on the goal/Then the prize you won’t fail/ That’s your Grail/ That’s

your Grail.”

-Lyrics from the Spamalot song, “Find Your Grail” …

…But what exactly is a Grail?

In the Medieval Legend, the Grail is the cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper.

The origin of the “Legend of The Holy Grail” is believed to belong to the ancient Britons probably of Welsh and Celtic heritage. There are two explanations for the term. One is that the term “grail” itself is believed to originate from the Latin “gradale” meaning a dish used during a meal. This Latin term evolved into the Old French word “grail” meaning a “broad and capacious dish or slaver.”

There are many possible explanations, among the most widely known is one written by J.J. Collins in the work “Sangraal – The Mystery of the Holy Grail.” In this account, The Grail (originally given to Jesus by his grand-uncle, St. Joseph of Arimathea), was returned to Joseph who used it to collect Christ’s blood and sweat while he tended to Jesus on the Cross. After Christ’s death, Joseph was apparently imprisoned in a rock tomb similar to the one that Jesus was buried in.

Left to starve, Joseph lived several years by the power of The Grail which provided him with fresh food and drink every morning. Later, he traveled to Britain with his family where he settled in Glastonbury, but The Grail was taken to Corbenic in Britain where it was housed in a spectacular castle, guarded always by The Grail Knights. Centuries later, the location of the castle became forgotten. Legend has it that at the Court of King Arthur, it was prophesied that The Grail would one day be rediscovered. Monty Python’s SPAMalot continues the ancient quest to find that Grail.

Photos: National Tour, courtesy of Phoenix Entertainment

According to Catholic Encyclopedia, the Grail supposedly possesses the ability to heal the sick, or in King Arthur’s case, the mortally wounded. It also has the power to ensure all who are worthy to approach it remain youthful; and the power to provide sumptuous food of any type except for those who are not worthy to eat from it or approach it, as they were regarded as cowards. In Christian terms this means only those being strong enough and pure of mind, body and spirit are able to seek and approach it. Anyone else approaching it would simply see it disappear before their eyes.

According to www.mystical.com, the Christian Grail romances became popular during the late twelfth and early thirteenth century, with “Robert de Borron” being the first poet to bring the legends of King Arthur seeking The Grail to print. The Quest for similar vessels that have magical, mythical powers like The Holy Grail can be found in most ancient belief systems such as ancient Greek mythology.

WHAT IS SO MAGICAL ABOUT THE GRAIL?

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GRAIL AFTER THE LAST SUPPER?

CURTAIN CALL: LEARNING ACTIVITIESTypes of Comedy

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMEDYComedy is present in our lives in many different ways. There is comedy on television, in movies, on stage, in books, and in our normal every day conversations. Comedy can be put into different categories by identifying what the author is trying to do and the reaction hoped for. Defined below are some of the main categories of comedy.

There are also differences in comedy depending on the culture and geographical area. Spamalot is based off a British comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail. While Americans often understand British comedy, and vice versa, they do not always find the other humorous. British comedy is full of irony. Their comedy is also more subtle with a great deal of sarcastic undertone. American comedy is much more obvious. When irony is used, Americans often feel the need to inform the recipient that they were joking. Along with the definitions below, there are British and American examples of each category. Maybe some of the differences are seen in the examples?

FARCE

SCREWBALL

A comedy that includes unlikely or improbable situations. It moves at a very quick pace and has over the top characters.

British: •The Importance of Being Earnest•Noises Off•Funny Money

A comedy that involves a misunderstanding between the characters. They were made a lot in the 1930s and 1940s and often involve characters that are complete opposites of each other.

•The Philadelphia Story•Bringing Up Baby•Some Like It Hot

American:•Monkey Business•Ferris Bueller’s Day Off•Home Alone

PARODYA comedy that makes fun of an original work. It usually takes something serious and puts a humorous twist on it.

British:•Monty Python and the Holy Grail•Life of Brian

American:•The Producers•Young Frankenstein•The Princess Bride

DARK

SLAPSTICK

A comedy that consists of gloomy, depressing, and at times morbid situations or topics. The main character will usually suffer a great loss.

British:•League of Gentlemen•Shaun of the Dead•Hot Fuzz

Comedies full of absurd situations. There is usually a lot of overdramatic violence. The name comes from the device that used to be used when striking another actor to lessen the pain.

British:•Mr. Bean

American:•Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb•MASH•Kind Hearts and Coronets

American:•Caddyshack•Marx Brothers•The Three Stooges

SATIREA comedy that pokes fun at specific characteristics about a person. It brings to light a vice, folly, or shortcoming a person has. It is often hoping for some kind of change or improvement to happen once the trait has been pointed out.

British:•Russell Howard’s Good News•Morgan Spurlock’s New Britannia•In The Loop

American:•All About Eve•The Colbert Report•Thank You for Smoking

CURTAIN CALL: LEARNING ACTIVITIESLearning Activities

RESEARCHChoose a type of comedy. Research two of the examples given in that category and report on how they fulfill the characteristics of the genre.

CREATECreate your own script, song, or short story using one of the types of comedy listed in this content guide.

RESOURCES:

http://laughing-stalk.blogspot.com/2010/02/understanding-7-different-types-of.html

http://www.answers.com/topic/farce

http://www.answers.com/topic/problem-plays

http://www.allwords.com/word-screwball+comedy.html

http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Slapstick+Humor

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/parody

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satire

http://www.lexiophiles.com/english/english-humour-vs-american-humor-is-there-a-difference

Photos: National Tour, courtesy of Phoenix Entertainment

WRITEIn modern society, the term “holy grail” is used to refer to a thing which is strongly sought after or desired above all other things. Write a short essay that discusses the following: What is your Holy Grail? What will it take to “find your Grail” as the song in SPAMalot says?

DISCUSSAre the knights in SPAMalot governed by the code listed above? Give specific examples to support your argument.

RESEARCHResearch another myth developed over time. How was it developed and does it have any historic basis? Compare/contrast at least two versions of the myth. Prepare a multimedia presentation to illustrate your findings.

EXAMPLES:

•Paul Bunyan

•John Henry

•Trojan Horse

•Cyclops

•Loch Ness Monster

BACKSTAGE: ABOUT MUSICAL THEATREA Brief History

Live theatre is a unique experience that engages the audience much more than movies or TV. Musical theatre is the only genre of performance that fully utilizes acting, singing and dancing together to further the development of the plot.

Musical theatre’s roots can be traced back to ancient times, where

the Greeks used music and dance in their tragedies and comedies. Next, fast forward to the 1700s where comedic

operas were popular in Europe. In 1866, the first “musical” by modern definition, The Black Crook, opened in New York City. In the 1920s, Florenz Ziegfeld’s famous Follies

showcased star actors and actresses with extravagant sets and costumes but was mainly a musical revue of popular songs.

The end of the 1960s saw changes in Broadway, like HAIR, one of

the first rock musicals. Unusual concept musicals such as Marvin Hamlisch and Edward Kleban’s A Chorus Line and Sondheim’s

cynical Company led to big-budget musical operettas like Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil’s

international hit Les Miserables and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. Well known movie and literature favorites like Disney’s Beauty and the

Beast (which premiered at TUTS in 1994) and Stephen Schwartz’s Wicked have been adapted into family-friendly,

special effect spectaculars. At the same time, in reaction to the rising ticket cost and flashy spectacle of Broadway, shows like Jonathan Larson’s RENT aim for a less

polished, more personal theatre experience. TUTS was a part of the production enhancement team that moved

RENT from off-Broadway to Broadway, and continues to benefit from that association, presenting the original

Broadway and film leads in a special engagement in 2009.

Innovative new musicals like the PG-13 “student” musical 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and hip-hop musical In the Heights have been attracting and pleasing younger audiences. These often start off-Broadway and become so popular they switch venues. There are also an increased number of revivals, often driven with Hollywood star power like A Little Night Music with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Landsbury. But between movie and book adaptations, revivals of past favorites and contemporary boundary-breakers, there’s no doubt the Broadway musical is here to stay.

ORIGINS & FOLLIES

EARLY YEARS & THE GOLDEN AGE

CONTEMPORARY & MEGA-MUSICALS

WHERE ARE WE TODAY?

In 1927, Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II’s Show Boat premiered, which featured complete integration of book, music and score to tell a story. During “The Golden Age of Broadway,” famous composers and lyricists churned out hits, like George & Ira Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess (1935), Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! (1943), Irving Berlin’s Annie Get Your Gun (1947), Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s West Side Story (1957), and Cole Porter’s Kiss Me, Kate (1948).

Putting on a Show

BACKSTAGE: ABOUT MUSICAL THEATRE

Whether you’re a stage manager, actress, director, costume designer or composer, when it comes to putting on a musical, all roles are important. Here’s a roadmap for getting a musical to Broadway.

Producers must find a show that their audience will enjoy and will want to purchase tickets to. They also need to plan the budget for the production. Producers rent a theatre and pay royalties to the composer, lyricist and writer of the musical’s book for the rights to perform the show. One resource for discovering new musicals and connecting with the world of musical theatre is the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT), which was founded by TUTS’ Frank Young in 1985. Please visit NAMT.org for more information.

The creative team includes the director, set designer, costume designer, choreographer and music director/conductor. Together with the producers, they discuss their vision for the show and how they will bring it to life on the stage.

The director and choreographer will hold auditions for the parts in the show. For most Broadway shows and tours, actors must be a part of the Actors Equity association and have an appointment, but sometimes an open call will be held. After the cast has been chosen, rehearsals begin. Actors must memorize their lines, songs and choreography before dress rehearsals and the show’s opening. For information about auditioning for shows at TUTS, please visit TUTS.com.

If the show looks good after previews, it will open. Most Broadway shows perform several times a week at night and usually have a few matinees as well. Some shows have a specific closing date; other shows will continue performing as long as people are buying tickets.

GATHERING THE CREATIVE TEAM

CASTING AND REHEARSAL

PERFORMING FOR AN AUDIENCE

•

•

•

•

FINDING THE PERFECT MUSICAL

Choreographer – the person who creates the dances and movement patterns for the show

Stage Manager – the person who manages and takes care of the stage, sets and all special effects; directs the stage hands

Stage Hands – technicians and trained individuals who work side stage and back stage before, during and after the show to make all special effects, scene changes and clean-ups happen.

Prop Master – the person in charge of getting, storing, maintaining and sometimes creating the props used in the show.

VOCABULARY Audition: a tryout for performers.

Open call: a casting open to anyone without appointment

Dress rehearsals: rehearsing in full costume and full tech as though there is an audience.

Previews: performances before the show opens for a limited audience to test public opinion.

Matinee: an afternoon or early evening show.

Thank you!

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS

CONNECT WITH TUTS

TUTS CONTENT GUIDE

You are the only person qualified to determine what is appropriate for your child(ren)/student(s), but we hope the information and rating system in this guide were helpful. This content guide was designed by Gaby Quintana, written by Caitlin Donahoe, edited by Katie Curry, and supervised by Scott Howard and Mandi Hunsicker-Sallee. Please feel free to copy and distribute. Updated Digital Edition: June 2012.

Email any questions, concerns or comments to Mandi Hunsicker-Sallee at mandi@tuts.com.

Theatre Under the Stars • 713.558.2600 800 Bagby Suite 200, Houston, TX. 77002

www.tuts.com • twitter.com/tutshouston www.facebook.com/TheatreUnderTheStars