Spamalot - Seat Q107

[rickps]

(So why am I noting the seat I was in?  I've found that, for me, my distance from the stage often colors my experience.  If a show can 'grab' me even at the rear of the theater, it means the show really impressed.)






























One sentence review - A show for Monty Pythonites, it's funny but not hilarious, an easy show to like but not one that'll knock your socks off.

More detail than you probably care about...

Telling the story of King Arthur's search for the Holy Grail, Spamalot's plot leaves reality behind and wanders through a variety of skits that would be familiar to anyone who loved the old Monty Python TV show (which I did) or have seen the Monty Python and the Holy Grail movie.  Perhaps that's why the show fell slightly flat for me.  I knew where it was going before it got there.

Best performance was by Marin Mazzie, the Lady of the Lake.  This gal can sing!  She stole every scene, upstaged Jonathan Hadary's King Arthur and got a roar of applause from the crowd. 

Best Musical Number - The Diva's Lament (Whatever Happened to my Part?)  Sung by the Lady of the Lake, it's a showcase number that hangs on the drama created by the Lady's voice and mannerisms.  Marin was amazing.

Gay Moment - Way more than one in this show, the outing of Lancelot and the Carmen Miranda number that follows with Lance in a rhinestone codpiece and wife beater is priceless.

Bottom Line - A terrific show but one I'd not rush back to see.

Comments

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen the show ... This week alone several Minneapolis peeps saw the national tour of "Spamelot" and then you tonight. Sara Ramirez won a Tony for the Lady of the Lake (She's on Grey's Anatomy now.)

Marin Mazie is one of my all time favorite performers ... If you want to hear more of her, check out the original Broadway production of "Ragtime", (She was Mother.) the Broadway Revival of Kiss Me Kate (where she played Kate opposite Brian Stokes Mitchell) or the original production of "Passion".

Can't wait to hear more of your NYC adventure. Have fun with Chip!

HUGS!

[ricksf.livejournal.com]

Chip had also mentioned Marin's performance in Ragtime. Now I'll have to get a copy for certain. Or perhaps Kiss Me Kate. Or both!

[fuzzygruf.livejournal.com]

But will you sing Spamalot songs at Gary-aoke? That's the real question.

[ricksf.livejournal.com]

Of course I would! Heck, I sing Tom Lehrer with Steve!!

I have no standards...

[albadger.livejournal.com]

I took my then-10-year-old nephews to see Spamalot when it was in previews in 1995 (David Hyde Pierce, Hank Azaria, Tim Curry, Sara Ramirez), and they LOVED it. But then they were weaned on Python. I enjoyed the cast, Ramirez was great, but I wish I could come back & see it with Mazzie! She's pretty incredible too.

Oh, did you get to see Xanadu? Now THERE is a movie that DEMANDED to be turned into a stage musical.

Or burnt. I don't remember which.

[bearfuz.livejournal.com]

I know you mean 2005. And I'm envious, because althought I've *heard* it from the pit (sitting next to my keyboardist friend) I still haven't *seen* it.

[albadger.livejournal.com]

Um, yeah, if Spamalot had been running in 1995 they wouldn't have let 8-month-old babies into the audience anyway. D'oh!

And in the pit? What a great experience that would be. I envy you!

Also, since you're in NYC you can go see Xanadu again and again and again.