Giron back as Patsy in ‘Spamalot’

“I love Patsy and played this role the first year in 2010,” he says during an interview from Minneapolis. “I needed time off but then missed the role and performing so much, I let them know if they needed a replacement, I’d be there. A week after the call, I got the role.”

Based on the Tony Award-winning direction of Mike Nichols and the riotous choreography of Casey Nicholaw, “Monty Python’s Spamalot” tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and their quest for the Holy Grail.

King Arthur’s knights were men of courage, honor, dignity, courtesy and nobleness. They protected damsels from distress, honored and fought bravely for their king and undertook dangerous quests like the search for the Holy Grail.

These knights were usually of noble birth who formed the backbone of the army because they were the only soldiers who could afford expensive armor and weapons, as well as the cost of training and maintaining a war horse. When the knights attended a festival or council at the king’s main hall, those who sat at the head of the table, usually had precedence over others. These knights would feel envy and jealousy toward those of higher rank, sometimes leading to fights over who would take the seat at the head of the table.

But the knights in “Monty Python’s Spamalot” are pure comedy. The touring production features a chorus line of dancing divas and knights, flatulent Frenchmen, killer rabbits and one legless knight.

Like the 1975 film, King Arthur can’t afford a horse, so he pretends to have one and hires Patsy, the loyal servant and sidekick to bang coconuts to make the sound of horse’s hooves.

“There’s so much comedy in all of the musical that each night is an experience,” Giron says. “I’ve always loved Monty Python’s work. It’s so quick-witted, dry comedy and a lot of physicality to it.”

When the musical was on Broadway, it picked up the 2005 Tony Award for best musical and was nominated in 12 different categories.

“It’s a little crazy to take on something that is so loved and admired,” Giron says. “There’s such a history with all of this and each one of us works hard to make sure that we are doing it all justice.”

	If you go WHAT: “Monty Python’s Spamalot” WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday, April 6 and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. April 7 WHERE: Popejoy Hall, UNM campus HOW MUCH: $35 and $50 at www.unmtickets.com or www.popejoypresents.com or 877-664-8661, 925-5858 and select Albertsons locations

Giron says Patsy is a real person and you can connect with him because he’s such a normal guy.

“Everyone else is a character,” he explains. “I think that he’s the most loyal person, especially to King Arthur. I like to think that I’m loyal and that we share some characteristics that it’s fun to play him.”

Giron grew up in Santa Fe and attended Capital High before graduating from Santa Fe High in 2007. It was in Santa Fe where Giron found his love for performing while with the National Dance Institute.

“I used to go to the after-school programs for dance,” he says. “As I got more involved with performing, I began to fall in love with being on stage and I wanted to act, especially in musicals.”

After graduation, Giron left for the University of Oklahoma and began to study theater.

It was in 2010 when he landed the role of Patsy in the musical and he hasn’t looked back since.

“I’ve been given the opportunity to do something that I love,” he explains. “Being on stage makes me really happy and I’m getting the chance to perform so close to home.”

Giron says his family and friends will be in attendance for the musical’s performances at Popejoy Hall.

“There are going to be a bit more nerves because I will know many of the people in the audience,” he says. “But it gives all of them a chance to see what I do for a living. I feel like I’m living in a dream and I don’t want to wake up.”