MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT Returns to Broadway - Opening Night Reviews — Page 3

At times I felt Alex was more of the world of Austin Powers than Monty Python.

All was very funny, and the cast is clearly having fun onstage, but only Kritzer really makes this thing her own. I couldn't help but wonder how this could have been with a different director and a better design.

I was at the Jan. 26th performance, and when the Knights who say Ni change their name, the new name had a crazy joke in it. It was something about James Monroe Iglehart, who plays King Arthur, but neither my wife nor I followed it. But it was so unexpectedly funny, that Iglehart burst into laughter and was unable to continue with his lines. He had to sign to the audience to wait while he got himself back into character. He then had a nice riposte, to which, the head Knight said something like "Well done!".

I know the new name for the Knights who say Ni often changes. Is Iglehart being unable to continue something unique or is this common? The last time I saw something like this was with the Producers when Broderick adlibbed something to Nathan Lane and Lane burst into laughter and then broke the fourth wall and started speaking to the audience.

Seems to be very common with this production, with alot of people taking shows off, i went 2 weeks ago and Urie and Slater were both out.

Leslie by far is the key to this show, one of my favs.

Inglehart was very likable.

Brightman is ok, i always liked him in everything he does but i have seen better Lancelots. Rick Holmes from the 1st run at the Shubert was AMAZING.

The Hebert scene (Which is my Fav) totally lost its comedy, the only scene i didnt like in the new production.

Menken Fan said: "Ok, so understudies are amazing, but having two leads out for yesterday’s matinee was frustrating. Both James Monroe Iglehart and Alex Brightman were absent. Wanted to see them, but won’t be returning. I loved this show in its original run, but it seems to have lost something over the years. Maybe being so much further removed from the time of Monty Python had an effect."

I saw the evening show that day. The same two were out again. I was a bit disappointed. However I was absolutely delighted by the performances of Ethan Slater (Not Dead Fred, Prince Herbert) and Christopher Fitzgerald (Patsy) who were both so hysterical!

I went twice over the weekend - one lottery and one pre planned.

I definitely think the production has found its footing a little more and so the cast feels more assured in their improvisation.

Bennett is a fantastic Sir Robin in his own right. There are times I do miss Michael Urie (particularly his line delivery in the “European/African Swallow” debate ), but Bennett is the far more charismatic performer and singer and you would be forgiven for thinking this was not his Broadway debut. My only note is that his accent slips quite frequently, and I never found that with Urie.

Brightman…unfortunately…was far more hit or miss. I don’t think ensemble comedy is his strongest suit since he has such a presence that makes it hard for him to ignore, but also that includes some pandering to the audience. (His new Knights of Ni name was the chorus of “Sweet Caroline” and he later recalled it during his Tim the Enchanter exit.) I preferred Taran Killam since he was bigger, more imposing, and definitely understood the team dynamic of the show

Leslie Kritzer really put her whole vocal range into the show tonight. It was probably her best performance I saw since first preview where she was just riffing and hitting some CRAZY notes.

Tonight was also crazy because I think 4 people in my sections (Orch Left) were forced out of the theatre for being drunk and disruptive (including shouting during the show and audibly loud talking during the performance), with one sneaking back and having to get kicked out again during the Prince Herbert scene. The offending parties were warned at intermission and literally ended up with security stationed near their row before finally enough was enough. It was remarkably well handled

It's interesting reading everyone's reviews of/feelings about the show.

I got to see it in early December with the "original" cast fully in tact. And, I must admit that I didn't like it as much as I remember liking the original version.

Yes. Maybe it was the original, star-filled cast that contibuted to the original's likability & success. (Although, I must say that I saw the show after Hank Azaria left, and I only recently feel in love with David Hyde Pierce's work on Frasier.) No doubt, the excitement of Monty Python & The Holy Grail being on Broadway also helped things.

But, I think there's someting else that separates this version from the original, and I think I heard one of the castmembers (I forget who) speak of this in an interview: This version comes across more like a bunch of comedy friends yucking it up (my words) and doing Monty Python. The original was played more seriously/straight (in the comedic sense), which maybe helped elevate the British humor.

Thoughts?