My time in A101 at Spamalot w/ Piazza review

[billygoatgirl300]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 6:06pm

This past weekend I was in New York to see the Light in the Piazza and Spamalot both of the shows I sat in the front row. here are the reviews

Piazza- 6/24/06- 8 pm

I saw this on PBS and enjoyed it very much. The cast is so talented I can now understand why Victoria Clark won that Tony. At that show Michael Berresse was out and David Bonanno was in for him. Davis was very good in the role. I enjoyed Katie Clarke very much I haven’t seen the show before with Kelli O’Hara so I can’t really compare the two. Aaron Lazar was amazing and I can’t wait to see him in Les Miz. Sarah Uriarte Berry has an incredible voice and I hope she is back on Broadway soon. Chris Sarandon was also good, as was Patti Cohenour.

Stage Door

After the show ended my parents and I went to the stage door. It took a little while but Sarah came out first. She actually went up to the people who were waiting there and she introduce herself because she looked so different out of make up she was really sweet and signed and took pictures for those who asked. Katie wasn’t that far behead and she came out singed for everyone. Aaron came out about five minutes after Katie came out and chatted with everyone there he really embarrassed me here is how our conversation went

Me: You were awesome tonight
Aaron: Oh you seen it before?
Me: Well I saw it on PBS?
Aaron: Was I better tonight or then?
Me: (Lost for words)

Anyway as Aaron was leaving he told us that Victoria was packing up her dressing room and he didn’t know how long she would be. About a half an hour later she came out she said felt really bad about making us wait so long for her. She chatted with everyone and she even complemented me on my outfit, which made my night

It makes me sad that this show is closing on Sunday. If you haven’t seen it yet go see it on tour it is worth it!

Spamalot 6/25/06 3pm

I was in A101 for this show my Dad got these seat back in November and they were worth the wait. The cast is really good Lauren Kennedy as the Lady of the Lake was great and I should also add that she looked fantastic as a red head.

Okay since I was in A101 I’m sure you want to know if I was dragged up on stage. Well I was I knew than it could happen but I was still nervous when we found out that A101 had the grail any way Michael McGrath came down to find the grail and he came up to my seat asked me to stand up which I did and the grail was in my seat. After he thanked me I asked if I could sit down but then Harry Groener who play Arthur told Michael to bring me on stage. I went on stage and I shook hands with Harry he then went on to say that I was nominated for an Arthur award for best peasant. I won, got a award in shape of a foot, and then the cast sang a song to me and I had my picture taken with the knights. The rest of the show went by really quickly and during the curtain call Lauren waved to me.

Stage Door

On the way there people were congratulating me and my parents were asked how we got the seats. Anyway at the stage door we didn’t have to wait long Steve Kazee was the first to come out and when he came to me he said ‘Ah there’s our peasant!” and he signed my certificate that I got with the award He was really sweet and making sure everyone had something signed. Harry came out around the same time as him and he was chatting with everyone. Lauren wasn’t far behind but she was in a bit of a hurry to get home to her daughter which I was fine with but she still took the time to chat with everyone. Michael came out and signed for everyone. After he was done the stage door manager said no one else was coming out so everyone left

I had such a good time at this show but I think Piazza should have won best musical last year. Spamalot was just fun and silly which is what people need somtimes.


Thanks for reading this!
Erin

[SeptemberKel]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 6:14pm

Sounds like you had a great time! Nice synopsis. Thank you for sharing it!

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 6:22pm

Ah, that makes me so excited! I can't wait to go see Spamalot in July -- very, very exciting! Glad you liked both shows.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 6:41pm

That is soooo awesome! I'm happy for you Congratulations.

Great synopsis and it sounds like you had a wonderful time!!

[MarkRascati]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 9:01pm

Just to brag (sorta) the conductor from Piaza is a graduate of the highschool I am currently in.

[MarkRascati]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 10:03pm

Oh, and good synopsii by the way.

[ILoveMyDictionary]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 10:05pm

That is awesome! Congratz on getting A101.

[RuprechtJr.]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 10:31pm

"Just to brag (sorta) the conductor from Piaza is a graduate of the highschool I am currently in."

The woman (replacement conductor) or the man (oriqinal conductor) I feel like an @ss for not remembering the man's name. I don't feel so bad for the woman because her name isn't listed anywhere...that sounded cold.
Updated On: 6/28/06 at 10:31 PM

[MarkRascati]

Posted: 6/28/06 at 10:38pm

The woman. She actually came in to our class to talk a few weeks ago.

she's pretty cool


edit: and it's Kim Grigsby btw Updated On: 6/28/06 at 10:38 PM

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 6/29/06 at 7:42pm

Alright guys,

I've never seen Spamalot. And just commented on how I hate being dragged up on stage. I'm going in July... and sitting in the front row.

Explain this whole audience participation thing. Is it usually A101 - or is anyone in the front row in danger?

BTW - great Piazza review!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/29/06 at 7:45pm

It used to just be A101, but once people started catching on and efforts to get that seat became a bit ridiculous, they changed it; now it's one of a few potential seats in the general area, to keep it a surprise.

[mominator]

Posted: 6/29/06 at 7:52pm

As I understand it, it could be A, B, C, or D 101 you need to be on the aisle so Patsy can "find" the grail.

[mijofly19]

Posted: 6/29/06 at 7:53pm

As long as you're not in a seat in the orchestra that ends in 101, you should be fine. It will either be A101, B101, etc.

Great reviews. I'm glad you got to see Piazza before it closed. Sarah did that at the stage door when we were there too. I'm glad she did because I wouldn't have recognized without her wig.

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 6/29/06 at 7:53pm

Alright - hopefully my limited view A7 ticket will be safe. I seriously started thinking about selling it when I read this. I don't know WHY I don't like the whole audience participation deal, especially since I USED perform on stage all the time.

[SpamalotDiva]

Posted: 6/29/06 at 9:22pm

i thout it would be rad to be called on stage!!! lucky... and since most people dont like to be called up on stage... i'll take your tickets!!!! but seriously that would have been rad!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 6/29/06 at 10:50pm

Kim Grigsby is one of the best conductors in the current theatrical pool. She's also the most distracting.

When she conducted 2 Gents in Central Park last year, all of the reviews made mention of her, above the stage, in her backless top and flowing skirt.

When I saw it, a group of elderly gentlemen excused themselves from their wives to go to the bathroom during the intermission. As they passed the stage entrance, they bumped into her.
Man 1: Oh my God! You're great!
Man 2: You're giving an EXCELLENT performance!
Kim laughed it off.

[beacon1]

Posted: 6/29/06 at 11:31pm

Thanks for sharing your experiences. What a memorable trip! :o)


And...Aaron Lazar sounds adorable. I'm hoping to see him in Les Miz!