Spamilton, the Off-Broadway parody of the Broadway smash Hamilton, is heading to Chicago, where Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical plays at The PrivateBank Theatre.
The parody, penned by Forbidden Broadway creator Gerard Alessandrini, will begin a 12-week run at Royal George Theatre’s Cabaret/Studio Theatre March 3, 2017. The Chicago Tribune reports that, unlike the Chicago production of Hamilton, which features a slew of New York City-based actors, Spamilton will feature a cast of locals.
The show will open March 9, 2017, for a run through May 29. The production is also in discussions for additional productions in Los Angeles and London, as well as a U.S. national tour for 2017.
“Hamilton opened my eyes to a world of brand new comic possibilities, and inspired me more than anything has in many long years,” said Alessandrini. “We have been delighted that New York audiences welcomed us with open arms, and are thrilled that we will be opening our next production in the Windy City. The rest of the country need not worry, as we hope to welcome them to our ‘room where it happens.’”
Spamilton should not be confused with another Chicago parody of Miranda’s hit musical, entitled Shamilton, which is the brainchild of Chicago-based improv troupe Baby Wants Candy. That production will begin January 20, 2017, at the Apollo Theater Chicago.
As previously reported, DRG Records and Spamilton producers John Freedson, Christine Pedi, and David Zippel announced that the original Off-Broadway cast completed recording the cast album December 12, and it will be released in March 2017.
Originally scheduled to run 18 performances in New York, Spamilton has been repeatedly extended at the Triad nightclub in Manhattan, where it continues its run.
The cast recording features original Spamilton cast members Dan Rosales, Nicholas Edwards, Juwan Crawley, Chris Anthony Giles, and Nora Schell, along with special guest stars Christine Pedi and Glenn Bassett, plus music director Fred Barton at the piano.
Alessandrini has been satirizing musicals for 30 years. His long-running musical revue, Forbidden Broadway, poked fun at an array of Broadway shows, including Miranda’s previous hit, In the Heights.
The Off-Broadway creative team of Spamilton includes Gerry McIntyre (choreography), Dustin Cross (costume design), Richard Danley (music direction), and Michael Cassara, CSA (casting director). The show is produced by David Zippel and John Freedson.
For more information, visit Spamilton.com.
