MPAC presents SPAMILTON: AN AMERICAN PARODY

By Mary Boyle

There is no denying that Lin-Manuel Miranda's hit musical, Hamilton, changed Broadway forever.  Since it first hit the stage in 2015, the unlikely blend of hip-hop, rap, and American history has been making history, winning the Tony Award for Best Musical and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, among many others.  Although it appeared Off-Broadway just a year later than Hamilton, SPAMILTON: AN AMERICAN PARODY is slightly less well known, but fans of the original, and of Broadway musicals in general, will get plenty of laughs from this parody production appreating at the Marcus Performing Arts Center's Vogel Hall in Milwaukee through April 20th.

With book and lyrics by George Alissandrini, creator of Forbidden Broadway, Spamilton very loosely tells the tale of the rise of Lin-Manuel Miranda and his incredible show, while making fun of every other major Broadway show you can think of, and they do it with an incredibly talented cast of just five people (and a few hand puppets, on occasion): Jorge Blakely as Lin-Manuel Miranda, along with Marissa Hecker, Jason Denton, Justin Emmanuel Parker, and Chris Anthony Giles, who each play a variety of characters.

The songs for the show are almost entirely built on the music of Hamilton, with a sprinkle of other Broadway classics, for good measure, and played entirely by one pianist (Fred Barton), yet the sound is far from sparse.  Fast-paced, bare bones, and hilariously funny, this is a musical for people who want to make fun of musicals, but who still have a healthy respect and love for the art form.

SPAMILTON: AN AMERICAN PARODY runs through Saturday, April 20th at the Marcus Performing Arts Center's Vogel Hall, located at 929 N. Water Street in downtown Milwaukee.  To purchase tickets, visit www.MarcusCenter.org, call 414-273-7206, or visit the MPAC Box Office at 929 North Water Street, Downtown Milwaukee.  Groups of 10 or more can secure their seats by calling 414-273-7207.  
 
About Marcus Performing Arts Center
A mission-based non-profit organization located in downtown Milwaukee, the Marcus Performing Arts Center (MPAC)brings high-quality arts and cultural programming to Southeastern Wisconsin. MPAC strives to act as an energizing force that connects the community to the world through collaboration, innovation, social engagement, and the transformative power of the performing arts. Through multiple performance series, community events, and educational experiences, MPAC brings a diverse range of celebrated artists to the region. A fixture in Milwaukee for over 50 years, MPAC is proud to be part of the Milwaukee Theater District, as well as a dedicated War Memorial facility. Learn more at www.MarcusCenter.org.