In Part 5 of a series of interviews with the cast of The Port Tobacco Players’ Spamalot, meet Patrick Pruitt.
Tell our readers where they may have seen you on local stages.
I spend almost all of my stage time here at Port Tobacco Players. Recently I was in Oklahoma! as Jud, Godspell as Judas and The Wedding Singer as Glen Guglia.
Tell us about the character you play and how you relate to them.
The main character I play is the homicidally brave Sir Lancelot. Lance and I have quite a bit in common, aside from a few minor details. We both mean well, but can be quite forgetful when it comes to the simple things, like words and sentence structure. Neither of us have much of a filter when it comes to social situations either.
What has been the most fun playing him?
Lance really knows how to cut loose on the dance floor, or so he thinks. So that’s been fun to play around with. Also the headwear has been fun. And hitting people with shovels and playing with swords — who can’t appreciate that?
Have you appeared in any other productions of Spamalot, and if yes, who did you play and how is this production different?
No, this has been my first experience with anything Python.
What has been some of the challenges you have had preparing for your role and how did your director help you with these challenges?
Let’s just say that Lance’s big reveal in Act 2 is something that I have no experience in. I needed a few pointers in showing a different side of myself and my character for that and Brooke (Howells-Weiser, our director) was instrumental in helping me and the rest of the male ensemble bring that to the stage. Did we have to have a cat walk competition to get there with the rest of the female ensemble? Yes! Of course we did!
What is your favorite song in the show that someone else sings and why?
]I’m a big fan of Arthur’s “All Alone.” It gives us a look in to his and “All Alone’s relationship and the sound gives me chills every time. Plus it gives Jimmy (Payne, who plays King Arthur) a chance to really show off the flexibility of his vocals.
Why do you think Spamalot is still so popular?
You can’t fight funny and people are always looking for absurd things to laugh at. This show is unabashedly funny and isn’t afraid to make people laugh at the most idiotic things, such as a grown man soiling himself. It’s funnier than you might think. I promise.
Which costume in the show is your favorite and why?
I’m a little biased, but my Knight of Ni costume is EPIC! Is it a lot to handle onstage? Sure, but it’s worth it. My feet may not think so, but I tell them to suck it up and take one for the team. The little owl on top of my staff is my favorite part of my favorite costume. Oh, and my antlers. I love my antlers. The whole thing is pretty cool and Amy Cooksey did a great job with ALL of the costumes in the show.
Spamalot plays through August 9, 2015 at The Port Tobacco Players – 508 Charles Street, in La Plata, MD. For tickets, call the box office at (301) 932-6819, purchase them at the door, or online.
LINKS
Meet the Cast of ‘Spamalot’ at The Port Tobacco Players: Part 1: Jimmy Payne.
Meet the Cast of ‘Spamalot’ at the Port Tobacco Players: Part 2: Ryan Dolan.
Meet the Cast of ‘Spamalot’ at the Port Tobacco Players: Part 3: Carmel Ferrer.
Meet the Cast of ‘Spamalot’ at The Port Tobacco Players’: Part 4: Michael J. Margelos.
Meet the Cast of ‘Spamalot’ at The Port Tobacco Players’: Part 5: Patrick Pruitt.
