Broadway Parody ‘Spamilton’ Takes Capitol Theatre Stage
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WHEELING - Created by Gerard Alessandrini, the comic mastermind behind the long-running hit "Forbidden Broadway," and performed by a versatile cast of eight, "Spamilton: An American Parody" is a side-splitting new musical parody.
It is a crash course of everyone’s favorite Broadway blockbusters, including celebrity satires, pop culture zings accompanies with hip-hop on the piano! After tearing it up in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and London, "Spamilton: An American Parody" will stage a singing, dancing, comedy revolution in Wheeling.
"Spamilon: An American Parody" hits the Capitol Theatre stage on Thursday, Oct. 8, with doors at 7 p.m. and show at 7:30 p.m.
When Alessandrini witnessed the sweeping impact of Broadway phenomenon "Hamilton," he knew just what he had to do. He had to spoof it. "It was the biggest hit show to arrive in Broadway since I had come there in 1981," said Alessandrini, whose Tony-winning revue "Forbidden Broadway" has parodied Broadway productions for decades. "I thought ‘Wow, I’ve spent most of my life spoofing Broadway shows -- I have to do this one.’"
A veteran playwright and director, Alessandrini took this comedic undertaking seriously. The result was the highly acclaimed parody musical "Spamilton: An American Parody," offering clever, satirical songs and energizing dance numbers appealing to theater fans and newcomers alike. "It’s a good family show," he said. "I hope audiences feel the same joy seeing this that I felt when Hamilton arrived in New York."
Promising nonstop laughs and impressive music and dance numbers, "Spamilton" pokes fun at Lin-Manuel Miranda’s creation of "Hamilton" and the show’s overwhelming popularity. "Spamilton" is packed with parody versions of hit "Hamilton" songs, including turning the original show’s "What’d I Miss?" into the spoof "What Did You Miss?" satirizing the density of information in "Hamilton." "The point was to make it all as funny and zany as it could be, with lots of both parody songs and parody dancing," Alessandrini said.
Audiences don’t need to see "Hamilton" to enjoy "Spamilton," Alessandrini emphasized. The show also parodies the overall theater industry, with jokes about Stephen Sondheim and many other famous Broadway shows. Even non-theatergoers will appreciate the physical comedy and skilled performances. "You can enjoy this on many levels," he assures.
Beyond rave reviews from The New York Times, The Huffington Post and more, "Spamilton" has received the most coveted praise of all. "Hamilton" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda tweeted that "I laughed my brains out" watching "Spamilton."
"I’m thankful for him and for being a good sport," Alessandrini said. "I think this show is hilarious, and it’s fun, lighthearted entertainment."
Fort tickets and information, visit www.capitoltheatrewheeling.com.