[NEohioPAL] SPAMALOT (Playhouse Square)

[Roy Berko]

‘SPAMALOT’
gets a 10at The Palace
 
Roy Berko
 
(Member, American
Theatre Critics Association)
 
--THE TIMES
NEWSPAPERS--
Lorain County
Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times
 
--coolcleveland.com—
 
On the way out of
the Palace Theatre, where we had just seen ‘SPAMALOT,’ my 13 year-old grandson,
who has picked up the nickname, “the kid reviewer,” was smiling and animatedly
stated, “That was a perfect 10.  It’s the best show.  Well,
at least the best show I’ve seen so far!” 
 
He had
been laughing hysterically as Richard Chamberlain and the dynamic cast of
‘MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT,’ the musical ripped off from the motion picture
‘MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY  GRAIL,’
had delighted a near sold-out audience.  An audience, many of whom were back for more of the same, having seen
the first touring production when it was here several years ago.  
 
Monty
Python (sometimes known as The Pythons), is a group of six comedians who
created “Monty Python's
Flying Circus,” a British television comedy sketch show that first
aired in 1969. The Python phenomenon, impertinent mockery of anything and
everything, spawned stage shows, films, albums, books and a stage musical.
 
The
musical is a highly irreverent parody of the Arthurian Legend, which
includes parodies of the Broadway theatre.   The book and lyrics were written
by Eric Idle, a member of the Monty Python team, who
collaborated with John Du Prez on the music. The original 2005 Broadway production, directed by Mike Nichols, won three Tony Awards.
 
At the
very start of the show you quickly learn what you are in for.  Before the curtain rises, a recording
tells the audience to "let your cell phones and pagers ring willy-nilly,
but you should be aware that there are heavily armed knights on stage that may
drag you on stage and impale you."  Then the first scene starts which we’ve been told by the narrator, is
going to be a tale of mediaeval England.   What’s on stage?  A village with gaily dressed Finns
singing and dancing to the "Fisch Schlapping Song."  The narrator returns, irritated, and
tells the frolickers that he was talking about England, not Finland and to get
off stage.  Later we see the hand
and feet of God, experience a flying figure on a rocket-propelled broom, a man
killing rabbit, and a male princess who falls in love with one of Arthur’s
brave knights. And, so the idiocy unravels.  
 
Richard
Chamberlain, has been seen in such TV series as “Shogun,” “The Thornbirds,” and
“Wallenberg,” and is known to many as the original Dr. Kildare.  He has a nice singing voice, still is
handsome, and populates the role of King Arthur with the right bewildered and
pompous air.  The cast is
universally delightful and Merle Dandridge, she of beautiful face, gorgeous
body and outstanding vocal abilities, makes for an entrancing Lady of the
Lake.  Yes, she is a character in a
different tale, but who cares.
 
The
score is delightful, highlighted by the hysterical, “I Am Not Dead Yet,” “The
Song That Goes Like This,” “Find Your Grail,” “You Won’t Succeed on Broadway, “
and “His Name is Lancelot.”  
 
The
setting was full-blast Broadway level and the entire production was well
staged, costumed and had all the necessary special effects.
 
I was
wondering how the “younguns” would react to the sometimes sophisticated words
and ideas.  I need not have
worried.  As Alex and his friend
Alex, who was also in attendance, stomped their way through the lobby and out
onto Euclid Avenue, singing “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” repeating
many lines, and doing some of the slapstick movements, I was assured that, in
spite of his mother’s warning that he “wouldn’t get most of it,” Alex had just
seen what he conceived to be a perfect theatre “10!”
 
CAPSULE
JUDGEMENT:  The touring production
of ‘SPAMALOT’ is a total joy.  If
you’ve never seen this clever musical, you should.  If you have, you should make a return visit, as it won’t get
much better than experiencing Richard Chamberlain and this great professional
company in a full-fledged staging!
 
‘SPAMALOT’ runs
through  April 5 at the Palace
Theatre.  Tickets can be ordered by
calling 216-241-6000 or going to www.playhousesquare.org.
 Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2001 through 2009, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info

His reviews can also be found on www.coolcleveland.com and NeOHIOpal (to subscribe visit http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/neohiopal.)