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Sunset High Theater offers Broadway Smash Musical, Spamalot

Student techs Kelly Green and Joseph Shingledecker learned to operate the large rented sound board. Lead actors wear remote microphones, and a multitude of sound effects enhance the performance. The remodel of the theater included new lights but didn’t cover the sound system.

Thursday-Saturday, March 3-5, 10-12, Doors open at 7 pm with curtain rising at 7:30 pm, Sunset High School auditorium, 13840 NW Cornell

Always looking at ways to push the boundaries and showcase the talents of their students, Sunset will be the first Oregon high school to perform Monty Python's Spamalot, a modern musical comedy “lovingly ripped off from the movie "Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” Under the direction of Sunset’s theater director James Farmer and music director Christopher Rust, along with Greg Hall, band director, and by special arrangement with TRW: Theatrical Rights Worldwide, Spamalot brings songs and comedy to the newly-renovated Sunset Theater.

Monty Python stalwart Eric Idle and composer John Du Prez adapted the classic film Monty Python and the Holy Grail into a musical featuring the Knights Who Say Ni, killer rabbits, accused witches, and other Python touches. Spamalot adds swipes at Vegas glitz and Broadway conventions to the film's anarchic spirit.

The costume room is a hive of activity in a basement room under the stage

Tickets are available for purchase at the door, and online here: shstheatre.yolasite.com/upcoming-productions. General admission tickets are $10 Adults; $8 Students and Seniors; and $5 Children (5 and under free). Select reserve seating is also available at a slightly higher price.

Richard Allen, Technical Director for Sunset Theater, believes in letting the students be involved at every level. “Our students come up with the ideas for sets, lighting, and costumes, and also work in all aspects of construction and preparation. That leads to a lot of learning in a variety of disciplines, and lets them explore their talents and creativity.”

The directors and production team works very closely with the school administration and custodians to ensure they're representing the school as a whole. However, putting on a production like Spamalot requires far more than just these teachers. They also bring in industry veterans to help with staging, construction, lighting, choreography, costumes, and hair and makeup. A wonderful parent volunteer crew puts endless hours into construction, publicity, marketing and logistical coordination to make the shows a success.

Debbie Caldwell, a parent who helps with publicity for the show, says, “We were fortunate to have upgrades to the auditorium as part of the Beaverton School District bond. As part of these upgrades, we have a completely new lighting system and are on schedule to have our stage refinished this summer. We're still actively fundraising to replace our sound system, and repair or replace broken seating and other auditorium furnishings.”

Sir Galahad, played by Sam Neff, and The Lady of the Lake, Jessica Caldwell, share a beautiful duet while chorus “cheerleaders” dance in the background.

Students at Sunset have the opportunity to take introductory theater classes all the way through full IB-level theater classes. Many of the cast members in the production take drama classes; however, every main stage production at Sunset is open through audition to all students. Spamalot features students from all areas of the school.

Celebrating 57 years of live theater production, Sunset's productions achieve high levels of design, creativity and interpretation, enabling students to experiment with different styles, roles and historical eras. Its Fall 2015 show, Middletown, has just been recognized as top show in the Northwest Region and will be performed at the Oregon State Thespian Festival on April 1. A free preview performance is open to the public on March 17 at 7:30 pm. More information on Sunset's theater programs is available at: shstheatre.yolasite.com.

The production involves nearly 60 students, including the cast of 15 lead actors, 11 in supporting roles, and 23 ensemble cast who sing and dance in the chorus, a band of seven musicians, and a crew of 18 students who work behind the scenes.

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