Broadway fans and comedy lovers alike can catch “Spamilton: An American Parody” this Saturday at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center, a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud spoof of the blockbuster musical “Hamilton.” Created by Tony Award-winning playwright and director Gerard Alessandrini, the show also pokes fun at other Broadway hits.
At its core, “Spamilton” satirizes the story of how “Hamilton” creator and star Lin-Manuel Miranda rose to fame and revolutionized Broadway with his hip-hop musical. The plot follows the main character as he tries to save Broadway from mediocrity. Along the way, he’s warned by figures such as Stephen Sondheim, cast in a Benjamin Franklin-style role, and a parody of original “Hamilton” star Leslie Odom Jr. not to force rap music onto the stage. Miranda ignores the warnings, becoming a megastar complete with a massive publicity campaign and an inflated ego.
“Alessandrini has been doing stuff forever on Broadway,” said Bowlus Fine Arts Director Mandy Moyer. “He went and watched ‘Hamilton’ and said, ‘Okay, I have to make a spoof of it.’”
Moyer said the show not only parodies “Hamilton” but also other musicals, including “In the Heights” and “Mary Poppins,” which adds a layer of inside humor for theater fans. “They make fun of Mary Poppins in it, which is funny because Lin-Manuel Miranda was in ‘Mary Poppins Returns,’” she noted. Moyer added that the jokes are all in good fun; Miranda himself thoroughly enjoyed “Spamilton.”
FOR MOYER, the decision to bring “Spamilton” to the Bowlus stage was about more than just comedy. “The last couple years, we’ve only been gearing the family series towards younger audiences, and not the older audiences, which is why I chose this one,” she explained. “I wanted to bring theater back to the main stage, and also find a way to bring in the older kids into the family series.” Moyer pointed out that the Bowlus hasn’t featured a theatrical main-stage production since “Frankenstein” seven years ago.
She also sees the show as a way to engage college students and local theater enthusiasts. “I’m trying to find ways for the college kids to have something to go to, because there’s not a lot to do in town. This is kind of a way to do that for them as well,” she said.
Moyer admitted she personally loves “Hamilton” but had never seen it in full before selecting the parody. “I’ve wanted to watch it,” she said. “My husband asked if we could watch ‘Hamilton’ on Disney+ before we watched ‘Spamilton’ at the Bowlus on Saturday. I told him we can definitely do that.”
Tickets remain available online and at the Bowlus box office up until showtime. Moyer said the response to the new ticket pricing this year has been positive, with many families purchasing the family series tickets specifically for shows like “Spamilton.”
“Everyone’s really excited about it. I’m excited with the way the community is responding, and I’m looking forward to seeing everyone come through the doors,” she said.
Whether you’re a die-hard “Hamilton” fan or a newcomer to Broadway, “Spamilton” promises an evening of humor, music, and theatrical joy. “It’s really funny,” Moyer said. “This is a way to give something back to the theater kids, college students, and the community.”
