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April   6

The Coconut Virtuoso

Spamalot "Monty Python's Spamalot" is the Broadway ticket these days, comparable to "The Producers" in 2001. So it's worth noting that one of the show's stars is Bloomfielder Michael McGrath (left), who plays King Arthur's sidekick, the coconut-wielding Patsy.

"There are so many levels of fun," McGrath told us last week at Willy's Diner. "We all have fun playing off eachother." McGrath (pronounced McGraw) has a special relationship with actor Tim Curry, who plays McArthur. "We share so many looks," he said. "Jack Benny moments."

But McGrath also gets one of the true prizes in the show, in addition to being the guy who gets to bang together the coconuts to make the sound of hoofbeats. It's McGrath who sings "The Bright Side of Life," which was actually from Python's "Life of Brian"  even though the show is based on "Holy Grail."

Michael_mcgrath_1 "It's Python's signature song. They applaud when I start to sing it," McGrath said. "It's like Sinatra singing 'New York, New York.'" It's also the song used for the curtain call.

Originally, McGrath wasn't even slated to sing "Bright Side" and he says he might have turned down the show altogether if he'd had any major jobs lined up.

"The role itself started in a different place," he said. "It started taking on a life of its own." Patsy only has three lines in the entire movie, and in the musical, he only has eight lines in the first act. But right before the cast was getting ready to go to Chicago in December for the show's world premiere, Spamalot's creator spotted McGrath in a hallway. "Eric Idle winked at me," McGrath said. "He said, 'You may have just gotten a number. The second act's a little slow in the beginning.'" The next day, he got "Bright Side."

McGrath and his actress wife Toni (both were in the Broadway show "Wonderful Town") are recent immigrants to Bloomfield, and live in the Watsessing Heights neighborhood, where they find themselves surrounded by show people:  costume designers, stage managers and actors, including "Forbidden Broadway" veteran Donna English. "We're the Upper West Side of Watsessing Heights," he joked.

There's so much Broadway talent in Bloomfield, McGrath says, that 12 Miles West ought to take advantage of it for some kind of big fundraiser. And (are you listening, Lenny Bart?) he says he'd be delighted to come on and sing "Bright Side of Life."

April 6, 2005 in Major Dudes | Permalink

Comments

Great piece Barista! WHNA is so fortunate to have such wondeful residents! We'll take Montclair's "rejects" any day!

Posted by: Anne | Apr 6, 2005 1:25:42 PM

Michael:

You're my hero!

Gloria Falzer
Development Director
12 Miles West

Posted by: Gloria Falzer | Apr 6, 2005 6:12:35 PM

The Oakview section is always crowded with Broadway as well as television talent, including Will Chase (last seen in Aida), Trice Yodice (WNBC traffic reporter) and someone from Law/Order (who's name escapes me right now)

Posted by: Ben's Hog | May 11, 2005 7:08:15 AM

um, that should have read "The Oakview section is ALSO crowded with Broadway TALENT..."

too early for my fumble fingers

Posted by: Ben's Hog | May 11, 2005 7:09:04 AM

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