playbill vip

Every year when the Musical closes, my older brother asks me,

“What show are you going to do next year?”  To which, I usually reply,

“I don’t know yet.” 

Which every year, without fault, makes him wishfully asks me,

“Spamalot?”  Last year, I said yes.

My older brother and I grew up watching Monty Python and excessively quoting their shows.  I have wanted to put on this musical for many years, but the timing was not right, until now.  Monty Python and The Flying Circus was born out of a need to laugh during the Cold War.  Eric Idle created “Spamalot” to bring laughter and a new form of comedy to Broadway, when Manhattan was still suffering post 9/11.  Our world is hurting again in the aftermath of COVID, and at times I feel we just need to laugh. To remember to look on “The Bright Side of Life” as we are “Not Dead Yet”.

“Spamlot” has been the most complex show I have attempted at a high school level and has challenged all of us this year.  It has been a joy to teach this generation about the world of Monty Python’s “smart silly”.  This group of students is kind and would never wish to offend anyone.  Their biggest concern when the show was announced, was what we were going to do about the “Jewish Song”.  I explained to them without hesitation, that the song is a tribute to the Jews of Manhattan, and without the Jewish community, Broadway would not be what it is today.  Having lived there, I know first-hand, the pride they take in their contribution to the arts and to Broadway.  If we had changed and gone with the alternate lyrics, for fear of offending due to a lack of cultural understanding, not only would all my Jewish friends back east be upset, but we would miss the opportunity to teach the history of Broadway and pay homage to so many greats: Stephen Sondheim, Oscar Hammerstein, Irving Berlin, George and Ira Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein, Barbara Streisand, Mathew Broderick, Idina Menzel, Mel Brooks and so many more.

I want to thank all the staff, students and families who hung in there until the end to put this amazing show together.  To the Moms who gave up their Sunday afternoons to help us finish sewing costumes, and to both GNS and Reynold’s Musical Theatre programs for lending so many costumes and props.  To my family who continue to give me help when needed, and support me being so busy and away from home from Christmas to Spring Break in order to make this happen. 

Last, I need to thank my teaching partner, Barry Janzen.  He has been my rock through 7 shows now; the calm to my crazy; my voice of reason.  I knew going into this year, that this would be our last show together at Lambrick, as he was planning on retiring.  He too has always wanted to do “Spamalot”, and as Barry retired at the end of January, “Spamalot” marks the end of a great career.  For his crowning moment, I had the privilege of casting him as “The Voice of God”.  Barry your impact on Musical Theatre and me is forever.  I cannot thank you enough for your countless hours and dedication to this program.  “Now what are you doing pissing around in Camalot”. 

Enjoy the Show!  - Nette