“Spamilton” spoofs “Hamilton” and every other Broadway musical

Created, written and directed by Gerard Alessandrini, the creative genius awarded the 1990 Joseph Jefferson Award for Director of a Revue for “Forbidden Broadway 1990,” it is easy to recognize his incredible ability for sarcastic parody in SPAMILTON, now in its West Coast Premiere at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in downtown Culver City through Jan. 7, 2018.

And even if you have not seen Lin-Manuel Miranda’s fabulous new musical “Hamilton,” as long as you are a fan of classic Broadway musicals you will definitely enjoy all the spoofs Alessandrini has woven into his latest award-winning musical creation.

Featuring an incredibly energetic and versatile cast of just 5 triple-threat performers who cover all the important “Hamilton” roles, as well as more characters from other musicals and current events than you will be able to count, are Dedrick A. Bonner, John Devereaux, Wilkie Ferguson III, William Cooper Howell, and Zakiya Young, with guest performers Glenn Bassett as King George and Susan Blakeslee as divas Barbra Streisand and Liza Minelli, each of whom first appear cloaked and begging for food like Fantine in “Les Miserables.”

But first we meet The Obamas with John Devereaux in a red and white striped nightshirt and cap with Zakiya Young in a luxurious blue robe, who offer praise for and then introduce the man who has transformed Broadway. As Lin-Manuel, William Cooper Howell then leads the cast through their non-stop numbers and costume changes, all the while promoting himself as the savior of everything new Broadway musicals should be by tearing apart every other previous Broadway musical to hysterical perfection, while others chide him to smile more and rhyme less in his endeavor to not let Broadway rot.

I won’t spoil all the fun, highlighted by incredible, non-stop, mostly hip-hop choreography, but just imagine the tallest cast member coming out dressed as Annie spoofing the show and you will understand why the laughter is continuous as if there is no tomorrow!  I am sure I did not catch all the shows being spoofed, but I do remember song parodies (and many of the accompanying non-stop costume changes designed by Dustin Cross) from Guys and Dolls, The Sound of Music, Oklahoma, South Pacific, Cabaret, Les Miserables, Gypsy, Willy Wonka, The Lion King spoofed with The King and I in “Shall we Roar,” Avenue Q, The Crucible, The Little Mermaid, Matilda, Wicked, Beauty and the Beast, In the Heights, Camelot, Spamalot, Man of La Mancha, 1776, The Music Man, Hair, Rent (wait until you see the big Afro wig donned by Devereaux), The Wizard of Oz, Newsies, Company (“Another Hundred Syllables” spoofing Sondheim’s writing style), The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Cats, Ragtime, and many more, each one performed to perfection and more hysterical than the last.

“Spamilton” runs non-stop for 80 minutes and I guarantee you will laugh continuously throughout the show.  Kudos to all involved from the cast, crew, to the Center Theatre Group for bringing such a magnificent production to the Kirk Douglas stage in our hometown prior to its national tour. Performances daily (except Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Eve) at Center Theatre Group’s Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. Ample free parking and restaurants adjacent. Ticket Prices: $25 to $70, available online at CenterTheatreGroup.org, by calling Audience Services at 213-628-2772, in person at the Center Theatre Group Box Office (at the Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center in Downtown Los Angeles) or at the Kirk Douglas Theatre Box Office two hours prior to performances.

Those attending on Friday nights are invited to post-show karaoke offering songs from Broadway musicals. Admission and snacks are free to ticket holders only, with a cash bar available.