Reviewed by Judy Richter
The Monty Python brand of British comedy is not
everyone's cup of tea, as least as evidenced by its musical comedy offshoot,
"Spamalot."
Even though the 2005 Broadway production won three Tony Awards, including Best
Musical, its sophomoric humor soon grows wearisome with its emphasis on bodily
wastes and flatulence. It's a follow-up to the 1975 film, "Monty Python
and the Holy Grail,"
created and performed by the six-man Monty Python team that also created "Monty
Python's Flying Circus," a popular British TV series that ran from 1969 to 1974.
The
musical features a book and lyrics by Eric Idle, a member of that troupe. Idle
also teamed with John Du Prez to write the music. (Idle and Du Prez joined the cast for
the curtain call at opening night.) Direction is by Mike Nichols. The plot features the quest by
King Arthur (John O'Hurley) and his Knights of the Round Table to find the Holy
Grail. Neither Arthur nor the knights are particularly bright, but they do
succeed in their quest after encountering numerous obstacles.
The
show does have its production pluses, including choreography by Casey
Nicholaw, the
set and costumes by Tim Hatley, lighting by Hugh Vanstone and projections by Elaine J.
McCarthy. The
sound design by Acme Sound Partners keeps the volume at a comfortable level, something quite
rare in today's musicals. The singing is generally good. The standout is Merle
Dandridge as the
Lady of the Lake, who knows how to belt out a tune. Spoofs of other musicals
are fun, especially "The Song That Goes Like This," a parody of Andrew
Lloyd Webber and
his "The Phantom of the Opera." "West Side Story," "Fiddler on the
Roof," "Company" and "The Man of La Mancha" have cameos.
Besides
O'Hurley and Dandridge, principals in the cast include Jeff Dumas aa Arthur's long suffering
manservant Patsy, James Beaman as Sir Robin, Matthew Greer as Sir Lancelot, Ben Davis as Sir Galahad, Christopher
Gurr as Sir
Bedevere and Christopher Sutton as Prince Herbert. Most of them play numerous other
characters. John Cleese, an original Monty Python, provides the voice of God.
The
show was well received at opening night, but I found the humor and repetition
of jokes and sight gags just too silly or tasteless for my tastes.
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