Eponine sees POTO, Spam, DRS, Wick and Q

[EponineThenardier]

Posted: 7/5/05 at 12:28am

I just have the Spamalot review up now, but the rest are coming soon.


This is gonna be long, so I apologize in advance. I finally got to come to NY for the very first time, I had an incredible time. I saw 5 shows Wicked, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Spamalot, Ave Q and Phantom of the Opera. None of which I had seen before.

Also Spoiler and Bad Grammar Alert.

Spamalot:
The Cast:

Tim Curry: was wonderful as Arthur. He is someone, whom when you think of Arthur from the film “Holy Grail,” wouldn’t have been a first choice. It always amazes me how I think I have a set vision of who can fill a role, and then I always get proven wrong. I was told his voice has suffered from years of chain smoking, weather or not that is the case, I found his voice to be very good and very unique. His laughter is contagious, and he is one of those people I could listen to if they read a phonebook.

Alan Tudyk (Lancelot): As much as I wanted to see Hank Azaria I knew deep down that the understudies would likely be better singers anyway. Alan did a great job, and I keep thinking of him solely as Lancelot even though he obviously was many many many other characters. I felt like he didn’t seem completely comfortable in the role (granted he has had much less time with the role(s) just yet). His impersonations of the knight of Ni, Tim and the French Taunter were right on, but he didn’t bring anything new to the role. His time to shine was near the end with the new Lancelot material.

James Ludwig (in for David Hyde Piece as Sir Robin): Every time I looked at the listed understudies my heart jumps a little. I promised myself that I would be upset about any understudies for all five shows unless I missed Sara Ramirez or Norbert Leo Butz. I was very impressed with James for the main sake that he understudies just about every single male lead in the show. He did a very good job, but it wasn’t breath taking fabulous. Still major props for the amount of work he had to do because of the understudy situation. “You Won’t Succeed On Broadway” was also an incredible showstopper.

Chris Sieber (Sir Galllllaaahhaaad): I love this man. Incredible voice, fabulous stage presence and hair worthy of a Herbal Essence commercial. I was looking forward to seeing him more than any of the other guys. I love his hair flipping and the head banging “concert go-er” during “Find Your Grail” which cracked me up during the Tonys. The song that goes like this is arguably my favorite song in the show, and he was just nothing short of wonderful. Love his “Oh…wOW!” He also look so excited to be up there.

Sara Ramirez (The Lady of the Lake): Hoooooollly crap. The lady with the lungs of steel. She was absolutely amazing, words really can’t do justice to what I saw up there on stage. The only sad note was that he mike was not working properly at the beginning of “Come with Me” when she began to sing there was static on the mike and the volume went down then up again, but luckily by the time “The Song that Goes like This” rolled around the mike was fine and you could hear her. I love when the one Laker Girls is waving her seaweed prop thingy in her face and Sara yanks it away from her, haha. Diva’s Lament brought down the house. You couldn’t even hear her last note because everyone was cheering so loudly, and you could tell she was putting as much power behind it as she could. Wow. Wow. Or as Galahad says, “wOW!” Well deserved Tony win.

Christain Borle (Fred, Historian, Herbert): Heeheeeheeeheeehehehehehehee.  I nearly wet my pants watching him. Absolutely adorable and so so funny, and what a voice he has! He had (I think) one of the best set of roles of any of the actors in Spam. He certainly deserves it too, and should have gotten a Tony nom. Although Chris and Michael’s were well deserved too. I loved Herbert’s little vocal whimpers, and how light on his toes he was as both Herbert and Fred; it added some great touches to the characters. He really had the audience in the palm of his hand with those facial expressions; one little grin in “I’m Not Dead Yet” and the audience would just start cracking up. Also looked like he was having the time of his life up there; a job very well done!

Michael McGrath (Patsy): I would never in my life have thought that Patsy would turn out to be one of my favorite Monty Python characters. Michael gave such great backbone and spirit to a fairly forgettable character from the film. “Always look on the bright Side of Life” was so funny (I love how he does everything including all the dance choreography with that backpack on). Also looks so happy to be a part of the show, along with Christian and Chris; it was very visible and great to see.

Steve Rosen: (Mrs. Galahad & Others): He did a very nice job with everyone he played, Mrs. Galahad in particular when he was hitting on Tim Curry, heehee. Just an all around nice job, and very funny.

Other stuff:
• All the take offs on Broadway shows were really cute. No to the extent that it got annoying but still fun to see. And whoever thought of having Eponine comes out of the French castle, I love you! And then chase after Chris Sieber with the wine bottle during run away was priceless. Which chorus member played her? Anyone know?
• The bunny as a puppet was for friggin hilarious, and how the guy made his getaway was really cute touch. Also was the knight’s head supposed to get bitten all the way off by the rabbit? Cause it seemed as though it was supposed to but didn’t quite do it.
• Overall it was very enjoyable, however I’m not sure that it deserved best musical, but it was by no means lacking.




Updated On: 7/5/05 at 12:28 AM