SPAMALOT - Help!

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 8:16pm

Hey all -

I'm looking to book a pair of tickets to see SPAMAlOT later this month. My friend, who's seen MACBETH and THURGOOD with me these past few weeks is a HUUUUGE Python fan, and I'd really like ot try my hand and (finally) see it for myself. I'm curious as to what the consensus is as to where to sit. Telecharge is offering C-ORCH / Row B / 106-107. I don't know what row that is, but I would imagine the view is pretty good, seeing as the Shubert is a medium-sized house. Also, I'm wondering who's in the current cast? Many sites don't seem to make much (of any) updates to changes made recently. Would I enjoy the show, not being all too familiar with the Python hooplah, and just appreciate it for the ... fact that it's a musical, and I love 'em just the same? Any and all insight is surely appreciated ... Many thanks!

Best,
- Mike

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 8:19pm

That's the second row. A lot of stuff that people start laughing at instantly might go over your head initially if you're not a Python fan.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 8:21pm

I've never seen a Monty Python movie. I didn't get the show and considered it a complete waste of money. I had no clue what everyone was laughing about.

[SpellingBeeFan4Ever]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 8:23pm

Go see Holy Grail. Sit in A101 or D101. If you can.

Updated On: 5/3/08 at 08:23 PM

[Maurice]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 8:35pm

I had D 101 & 102 back in November and had plans to possibly surprise a friend by having him sit in seat 101. Then, the strike happened. Oh well...

[Cartwheel]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 8:35pm

If you have a sense of humor, you'll like the show just fine, but it's your typical musical. More like a comedy with music in it.

I've seen it several times from different locations, and for overall view, liked the mezzanine seats best.

Here's the current cast of the show, except that Clay Aiken will be replaced by Robert Petkoff starting next Tuesday.

http://montypythonsspamalot.com/characters.php

[SpellingBeeFan4Ever]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 8:37pm

except that Clay Aiken will be replaced by Robert Petkoff starting next Tuesday.


Praise the lord!

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 8:38pm

I have a sense of humor, and I've seen a hell of a lot more theatre than you, Cartwheel, and I did not like it just fine.

Any piece of theatre that has a movie-watching prerequisite isn't good theatre.

A good piece of theatre needs to be able to stand on its own two feet.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 8:40pm

http://www.montypythonsspamalot.com/cast.php?section=151#jonathan_hadary

The cast on the official site is pretty accurate. The only person who will not be as far as I know, is Sir Robin, played by Clay Aiken until tomorrow. Everyone is awesome though. Especially Tom Deckman and Hannah Waddingham.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 8:45pm

They use any of the aisle seats of the first four rows, not just rows B and D for the bit at the end.

[Ladyofthe Lake]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 8:49pm

I have a sense of humor, and I've seen a hell of a lot more theatre than you, Cartwheel, and I did not like it just fine.

Any piece of theatre that has a movie-watching prerequisite isn't good theatre.

A good piece of theatre needs to be able to stand on its own two feet.

There are Monty Python fans who disliked Spamalot, and others who loved it. There are non-Monty Python fans who loved it, and some who disliked it. Your experience is perfectly valid for you, but you can't generalize it for everyone. Personally, I'm not at all a Monty Python fan, but enjoyed Spamalot a great deal. Act Two, in particular, is very different from the film anyway.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 8:54pm

It has nothing to do with being a Monty Python "fan." I'm talking about never having seen any of the darn movies and being left clueless about what is happening on stage.

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 8:56pm

I haven't seen the movie before seeing a &#^&$@* of it, and I loved it.

[Cartwheel]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 8:56pm

"Any piece of theatre that has a movie-watching prerequisite isn't good theatre.

A good piece of theatre needs to be able to stand on its own two feet."

I did not watch the movie before seeing the show on tour couple of years ago, and I understood it just fine.

[Ladyofthe Lake]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 8:59pm

I hadn't seen Holy Grail since college (which was, trust me, many years ago), hadn't enjoyed it at the time, and remembered next to nothing about it. It didn't matter. I've seen, from other comments that have been posted various places, that my experience was not unique.

Your experience was not unique, either, but neither was it universal. THAT was my point.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 9:04pm

I think the combination of Python fans and musical theatre fans together will amount to theatergoing magic at the Shubert ... It already has, really. SPAMALOT, celebrating 3 years on Broadway is proof enough, I think. No need to bash one another's opinions now, come'on ... I'm going for C-ORCH / B - 106 and 107 are the 'Best Available' being offered via Telecharge.com right now. Is the stage high? Will I be able to 'see' the 'big picture' with the lavish sets, goings-on onstage?

[Cartwheel]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 9:09pm

Yes, the stage is pretty high, and if you're that close, some of the view may be blocked by actors standing on your side of the stage.

[Greekmusicalfan]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 9:09pm

It is a very enjoyable, witty, smart and FUN show ! Maybe you will appreciate it more if you've seen the movie, but I don't think it's a problem if you haven't ! My friend hadn't seen the movie and loved the show ! There are also some funny theater references, like "The song that goes like this" that are simply hysterical ! And Rick Holmes who plays Lancelot is gorgeous !
Updated On: 5/4/08 at 09:09 PM

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 10:22pm

BUMP!

[Marianne2]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 10:27pm

Personally, I hardly know the Monty Python movie, (I've seen it, but don't remember all of it) but found Spamalot enjoyable. I think the Lady of the Lake is the best.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 10:33pm

The SPAMALOT website says Bradley Dean is playing Sir Dennis (and Others), but BROADWAY.com has Chris Sieber listed. Any idea who's in the role right now? And what of Clay Aiken's replacement? As an aside, our PLAYBILLs still in color over there at the Shubert?

[Cartwheel]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 10:40pm

Chris Sieber's last day was March 23rd. Bradley Dean is the current Sir Galahad, and Robert Petkoff will play Sir Robin starting next Tuesday.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 10:41pm

Chris Sieber has left the show. I forget when, but it was his second time with the show. Bradley Dean is playing him right now.

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 10:47pm

For those who have seen, how's Mr. Hadary's 'Arthur'? I've only seen clips / bits 'n' pieces of Mr. Curry's performance(s) with the OBC on the SPAMALOT website (amongst a few viewings via 'other' outlets). Any insight as to how he is?

Marianne, Cartwheel, thank you both for the insight.

Has Robert Petkoff gotten good notices for the role on tour?

[Thomas14850ny2]

Posted: 5/3/08 at 10:49pm

I've never seen any of the Monty Python films but I loved SPAMALOT.