'Spamalot' rescheduled for March 25 at River Campus

"Spamalot," the satirical stage show "lovingly ripped off" from the movie "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," has been rescheduled for 7:30 p.m. March 25 at the Bedell Performance Hall.

A snowstorm and bad road conditions forced the cancellation of the performance Dec. 12.

"It really made my day when we were able to bring the show back this year," said Bob Cerchio, assistant director of the River Campus.

Tickets officially go on sale at the River Campus box office Feb. 14.

Ticket holders for the original performance date have first crack at seats. The window for those presales closes at the end of business Feb. 11, Cerchio said.

Southeast Missouri State University provided refunds for those who bought tickets to the original performance, canceled when a snowstorm slowed the touring company's bus to a crawl. The cast was en route to Cape Girardeau from Milwaukee when an accident in front of the touring bus stalled travel for several hours. With no chance of the company arriving by curtain time, River Campus officials shut down the show.

But there were no guarantees that "Spamalot" would fit into a tight spring schedule at the Bedell. As it is, the musical's new performance date is wedged between two other events; it was marked on the March performance calendar as a holdover, Cerchio said.

The show's cancellation is a drag on the bottom line of River Campus entertainment, rarely a profitable venture, Cerchio said.

"These big shows are not low-cost," the assistant director said. "The university has committed to funding our loss, and the tickets are set to reduce our loss. This show will not make money, but will serve the community."

Cerchio said he is counting on a big night and big laughs when "Spamalot" hits the stage.

"We know it's going to be a successful show," he said. "It's so far-fetched that people can just let go of reality for as long as the show lasts."

mkittle@semissourian.com

388-3627