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<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Beck Center finds its
holy grail in ‘Spamalot’<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Bob
Abelman<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">News-Herald,
Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times, Geauga Times Courier<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Member,
International Association of Theatre Critics <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">This
review will appear in the News-Herald</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> on
7/19/13<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p><FONT face=Calibri> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p><FONT face=Calibri> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 7.5pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">For
those who couldn’t score a ticket for the national tour of “Book of Mormon,”
another chance to take pleasure in things bawdy, naughty and insubordinate is
being offered by the Beck Center for the Arts in Lakewood:<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“Monty Python’s
Spamalot.”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 7.5pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Rarely
does a piece of theater tap that 10 year old in all of us who enjoys saying
inappropriate things during polite conversation and giggles at the very thought
of base bodily functions.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 7.5pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Rarer
still is when it wins a 2005 Tony Award for Best Musical and its original
Broadway cast recording wins a Grammy.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 7.5pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">“Spamalot”
is lovingly and extensively ripped off from the 1975 cult film “Monty Python and
the Holy Grail” and, to a lesser extent, the 1979 film “The Life of Brian.”
<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The musical – written by Monty
Python’s Eric Idle with music by Idle and John Du Prez – tells the legendary
tale of the quest for the Holy Grail by King Arthur and the Knights of the Round
Table.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 7.5pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Of
course, this tale is delivered via the dribble glass that is the British comedy
team of Monty Python.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The troupe
rose to prominence through its TV sketch-comedy show that ran on the BBC from
1969 to 1974 and, later, on American public television. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 7.5pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Monty
Python’s humor is simultaneously intellectual and sophomoric.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In fact, it thrives on the clever
contradictions between these extremes, such as in a skit where illiterate feudal
serfs debate the complex socio-political struggles of the Middle Ages or by
having its all-male cast playing loud, shrill middle-aged housewives… both of
which are utilized in this musical. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 7.5pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">The
TV show also presented surreal illustrations, running gags that are inane to the
point of brilliance, and plenty of lunacy for its own sake. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Ditto for “Spamalot.”
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 7.5pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Yup,
“Spamalot” is one silly, silly show that does not take itself seriously or slow
down for a second.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Fortunately,
silly is in the middle of director Scott Spence’s artistic wheelhouse.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Along with music director Larry
Goodpaster and his wonderful 12-piece orchestra, Spence delivers a “Spamalot”
loaded with the straight-faced absurdity it requires and stacked with gifted
musical theater performers who buy into what Monty Python is selling.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 1.5pt 0in 7.5pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">The
entire 20-member ensemble is phenomenally skilled, energetic and able to
showcase </SPAN><STRONG><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Martín
Céspedes’ finely crafted yet highly comedic choreography</SPAN></STRONG><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">.
<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Ranging from ballet to tap and
showgirl to showbiz, every featured dance number and staged interlude is a
marvelously concocted treat.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<H1 style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: white"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">No one better handles the comedy and
the choreography than Pat Miller.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>He is brilliant as Patsy, whose job as King Arthur’s manservant is to
simulate with two halves of a coconut the sound of hoof beats for Arthur’s
nonexistent horse. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Every facial
expression and each gesture places a comedic </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN" lang=EN>glyph
above the dialogue, adding flair to the festivities and enriching the
production. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></H1>
<H1 style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: white"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN"
lang=EN><o:p><FONT size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></H1>
<H1 style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: white"><FONT size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-ansi-language: EN" lang=EN>The
musical number “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” is a marvelous
</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; COLOR: black; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">amalgamation
of Spence’s ear for comedy, </SPAN><STRONG><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Céspedes’
eye for cinematic movement, well executed ensemble work, and Miller’s
talents.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></STRONG></FONT></H1>
<H1 style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; BACKGROUND: white"><STRONG><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></STRONG></H1>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 7.5pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">King
Arthur is played as a regal moron with perfect comic timing by Dougfred Miller
and is matched, well-delivered punch-line for well-delivered punch-line, by
Brian Altman as Sir Lancelot, Matthew Ryan Thompson as Sir Robin, Eric Thomas
Fancher as Sir Galahad, and Mark Heffernan as Sir Bedevere.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 7.5pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Of
the many highlights in this wonderfully irreverent production, most feature
Timothy Allen.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As a plague-ridden
character named Not Dead Fred, he spearheads a hilarious song-and-dance number
in which he attempts to convince the collector of dead bodies that he is alive
and kicking.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Allen, as the
show’s ancient narrator, a flamingly gay Prince Herbert and several other
characters, is clearly in his element in this venue.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 7.5pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">So,
too, is ample-voiced Jessica Cope as Lady of the Lake.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In “The Song That Goes Like This,” a
self-effacing critique of the inane songs typically sung in Broadway shows by
romantic leads, she and Fancher, as Galahad, nail the complex harmonies, sustain
the high notes and broad comedic undertones, and own the
audience.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 7.5pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">This
production’s only weakness is the budget given Trad A Burns for his scenic
design.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>More lavish production
values would have better off-set the intentionally less grand inclinations in
the script, creating yet another clever contradiction.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This is something nicely accomplished by
Aimee Kluiber’s costume design.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 1.5pt 0in 7.5pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">“Spamalot”
will prove to be a tedious affair for those not in touch with their inner
child.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For those willing to let the little
rascal run wild for the evening, the Beck Center is the place to
play.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">“Monty Python’s
Spamalot” runs through August 18 at the Beck Center for the Arts in
Lakewood.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Tickets, which range from
$10 to $28, can be purchased by calling 216-521-2540 or visiting <A
href=""><FONT
color=#0000ff>www.beckcenter.org</FONT></A>.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>