Monty Python's Spamalot is the most entertaining excuse for entertainment since Hairspray. Director Mike Nichols has taken Eric Idle and John Du Prez's medieval spoof about Arthur and his boys, and, with the aid of the funniest, most ridiculous choreography in town by Casey Nicholaw, a brilliant set, absurd (and glamorous) costumes by Tim Hatley, and has put together a musical extravaganza as foolish and funny as The Producers.
With meticulous lighting by Hugh Vanstone, projections by Elaine J. McCarthy and special special effects by Gregory Meeh, a super cast led by Tim Curry (who can still sing and fill the stage with his presence) and a sure nominee this year for best woman performer in a musical, Sara Ramirez. She steals every moment she's on stage as The Lady of the Lake with her beautiful voice, sensual, feral presence and figure, comic timing and intonation, and the feminine beauty she projects.
Boy! Can that Nichols put together a show! With David Hyde Pierce and Hank Azaria, Michael McGrath, the hilarious Christian Borle, Steve Rosen and Christopher Sieber aiding and abetting the ridiculousness, and Las Vegas high-steppin' chorus girls at any excuse, this is a show to see if you want to spend a couple hours laughing - at the lyrics, the clowning, the absurd plot sketches, many with really dumb English humor, all aspects of the show. They mock everything, including the songs they are singing. Not once does Spamalot sink into reality; it's just very funny entertainment, perfectly done.
Previews:
January 23, 2004
Opened:
February 26, 2004
Ended:
January 2009
Country:
USA
State:
New York
City:
New York
Company/Producers:
Boyett Ostar Productions, the Shubert Organization, Arielle Tepper, Stephanie McClelland/Lawrence Horowitz, Elan V. McAllister/Allan S. Gordon, Independent Presenters Network, Roy Furman, GRS Associates, Jam Theatricals (jamusa.com), TGA Entertainment (Michael Cohl & Stephen Bronfman, founders), Clear Channel Entertainment.
Theater Type:
Broadway
Theater:
Minskoff Theater
Theater Address:
200 West 45th Street
Running Time:
2 hrs, 15 min
Genre:
Musical
Director:
Mike Nichols
Review:
Parental:
mild vulgar humor, profanity
Cast:
Tim Curry (Arthur), David Hyde Pierce (Sir Robin), Alan Tudyk (Lancelot), Sara Ramirez (Lady), Christopher Sieber (Galahad), Michael McGrath (Patsy), Steve Rosen, Christian Borle (Herbert), John Bolton, Brad Bradley, Thomas Cannizzaro, Kevin Covert, Jennifer Frankel, Lisa Gajda, Jenny Hill, Emily Hsu, James Ludwig, Abbey O'Brien, Ariel Reid, Pamela Remler, Greg Reuter, Brian Shepard, Rick Spaans, Scott Taylor, Darlene Wilson.
Technical:
Set/Costumes: Tim Hatley
Other Critics:
TOTALTHEATER David Lefkowitz +
Critic:
Richmond Shepard
Date Reviewed:
April 2005
