#1
Posted: 4/21/06 at 10:12am
*I havent seen a lot of reviews about this tour yet, so I thought I'd chime in*
:) SPAMALOT
Cadillac Palace Theatre - Chicago
Perhaps was the fact that it was 4/20, or perhaps its the sporting event mentality perpetuated by the Cadillac Palace theatre in Chicago that made so many of the audience members in attendance at this performance of "Spamalot" so... stupid.
I'll never know.
But people who didn't stop talking, people who insisted on texting the entire time, and people loudly eating things in wrappers couldn't distract from my enjoyment of what I've realized is my favorite musical running and successful today - Monty Python's Spamalot.
The national tour made its second stop last night in Chicago, and the Chicago audiences who adored it during it's pre-Broadway try-out returned in droves -
- and they weren't disappointed.
Set and design-wise, the tour is slightly smaller than the original, but thats to be expected. [I didn't notice any major changes for this tour.]
The cast, however, is already outstanding. In a few months, when they've really COMPLETELY settled into their roles and can have even more fun with them, the show should be the over-the-top laughfest it was in its original incarnation, with the star-studded original cast.
Michael Siberry is the next best thing to Tim Curry as King Arthur, and he's every bit the straight man with a smirk in this farcical adventure. He also sings a good deal better than Curry in the role, and is the perfect guy to build this show around.
Jeff Dumas, as Patsy, brings Michael McGrath to mind so often, he's instantly heart-winning - and what a dancer!
David Turner is perfection as Sir Robin and others. He's taken David Hyde Pierce's role and really managed to make it his own without detracting from the original version. His "You won't succeed on Broadway" got some of the evenings biggest laughs.
Bradley Dean as Sir Galahad/Black Knight/Herberts Father was marvelous, and almost (I said almost) made me forget Christopher Sieber's hysterical hair-tossing.
Rick Holmes lands the coveted Hank Azaria-originated roles of Lancelot, The French Taunter, Tim the enchanter, and many more - and walks away with some of the heartiest laughs (The French Taunter will ALWAYS get entrance applause!) His 'Knights who say Ni' riff was hysterical (something about 'Dont you wish your girlfriend was a freak like me?'...'Aint no Hollaback girl.')
But the absolute best parts of the show were Pia Glenn as The Lady of the Lake and Tom Deckman as the Historian/Not Dead Fred/Prince Herbert.
First, Ms. Glenn: She's GORGEOUS, she's ridiculously talented, and she took "Find your Grail" to a whole new place. HI-LARIOUS performance, and a show-stealer.
Mr. Deckman landed everything with complete ease and great timing - and his Prince Herbert scene was a scream. I still maintain Christian Borle was ROBBED of a Tony nom for his performance, and Mr. Deckamn was equal to the task.
There are Spamalot bashers in this world (people always hate things that are successful) but if you haven't seen it, or if you enjoyed it on Broadway, see the national tour if you get the chance. It's a ridiculously fun evening with a stellar cast and loads of laughs.
:)
Magic
:) SPAMALOT
Cadillac Palace Theatre - Chicago
Perhaps was the fact that it was 4/20, or perhaps its the sporting event mentality perpetuated by the Cadillac Palace theatre in Chicago that made so many of the audience members in attendance at this performance of "Spamalot" so... stupid.
I'll never know.
But people who didn't stop talking, people who insisted on texting the entire time, and people loudly eating things in wrappers couldn't distract from my enjoyment of what I've realized is my favorite musical running and successful today - Monty Python's Spamalot.
The national tour made its second stop last night in Chicago, and the Chicago audiences who adored it during it's pre-Broadway try-out returned in droves -
- and they weren't disappointed.
Set and design-wise, the tour is slightly smaller than the original, but thats to be expected. [I didn't notice any major changes for this tour.]
The cast, however, is already outstanding. In a few months, when they've really COMPLETELY settled into their roles and can have even more fun with them, the show should be the over-the-top laughfest it was in its original incarnation, with the star-studded original cast.
Michael Siberry is the next best thing to Tim Curry as King Arthur, and he's every bit the straight man with a smirk in this farcical adventure. He also sings a good deal better than Curry in the role, and is the perfect guy to build this show around.
Jeff Dumas, as Patsy, brings Michael McGrath to mind so often, he's instantly heart-winning - and what a dancer!
David Turner is perfection as Sir Robin and others. He's taken David Hyde Pierce's role and really managed to make it his own without detracting from the original version. His "You won't succeed on Broadway" got some of the evenings biggest laughs.
Bradley Dean as Sir Galahad/Black Knight/Herberts Father was marvelous, and almost (I said almost) made me forget Christopher Sieber's hysterical hair-tossing.
Rick Holmes lands the coveted Hank Azaria-originated roles of Lancelot, The French Taunter, Tim the enchanter, and many more - and walks away with some of the heartiest laughs (The French Taunter will ALWAYS get entrance applause!) His 'Knights who say Ni' riff was hysterical (something about 'Dont you wish your girlfriend was a freak like me?'...'Aint no Hollaback girl.')
But the absolute best parts of the show were Pia Glenn as The Lady of the Lake and Tom Deckman as the Historian/Not Dead Fred/Prince Herbert.
First, Ms. Glenn: She's GORGEOUS, she's ridiculously talented, and she took "Find your Grail" to a whole new place. HI-LARIOUS performance, and a show-stealer.
Mr. Deckman landed everything with complete ease and great timing - and his Prince Herbert scene was a scream. I still maintain Christian Borle was ROBBED of a Tony nom for his performance, and Mr. Deckamn was equal to the task.
There are Spamalot bashers in this world (people always hate things that are successful) but if you haven't seen it, or if you enjoyed it on Broadway, see the national tour if you get the chance. It's a ridiculously fun evening with a stellar cast and loads of laughs.
:)
Magic
There's always room for pathos - and jazz hands.
