SPAMALOT REVIEWS! — Page 4

Brantley:

"Do these disparate elements hang together in any truly compelling way? Not really. That "Spamalot" is the best new musical to open on Broadway this season is inarguable, but that's not saying much. The show is amusing, agreeable, forgettable - a better-than-usual embodiment of the musical for theatergoers who just want to be reminded now and then of a few of their favorite things."

I pretty much agree. A very qualified rave from Brantley -- should sell a lot of tickets (as if this show needed any help).

Clearly SPAMALOT is not a lock for Best Musical, though, with SPELLING BEE and PIAZZA opening in the next month (not to mention ALL SHOOK UP AND CHITTY). Should make for a fun race this year.

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Updated On: 3/17/05 at 09:50 PM

I think these reviews are giving DRS & SPELLING BEE pleanty of toppling room come TONY time! They most certainly aren't raves, Brantleys was just as mixed as DRS (possibly a bit lighter on criticism) - but I have yet to see one musical on Broadway receive uniform raves. The only 2 off Bway shows to have done that will be on BWAY soon, SPELLING BEE & DOUBT! Oh TONY time will be so fun and one thing is for sure, the most competitive contest is YEARRRRS!

Okay, I have a silly question. Why exactly does high demand for Spamalot tickets mean that mine won't be mailed to me for 4 weeks? Can they just not print them fast enough or what?

I would assume Ms. Raimerez's performance seems 'strenuous' because of the fact that she is holding back. Did they not cut her part back in Chicago due to the fact that she was inquestionably stealing the show from her more well-known male stars night after night? Her performance may seem strenuous because she's trying to restrain herself.

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I just saw Jeffrey Lyons' review on Channel 4. It was pretty much a mixed review. He said that he was not originally a Python fan and that there were one or two numbers that he liked but he was by no means blown away and thought that the show has been over hyped. He did, however, say that he thought that Raimerez should receive a Tony nomination for her role.

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The CBS 2 Review was beyond stupid, I cant believe I waited up for that. A review that closes with the following statement, is null, void, and insane in my book.

"As much as I loved it, if you aren't a fan of the movie, don't dish out your money. If you are, you'll love it"

Or something very similar to that effect - good lord!

Updated On: 3/18/05 at 12:46 AM

It might be stupid, but I happen to agree with it.

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I just feel like there's a HUGE difference between shows that are lighthearted and funny, and a GOOD show. I think SPAMALOT, as misguided and "off" as it is, you can't deny that it's funny. While I enjoyed it, there's no way I would call it a good show. It's fine, but it takes a lot more than jokes for me to consider a show good.

On a different note, I just got home from the party and it was a BLAST. I saw some friends there I haven't seen in a while, so that was fun. They had the entire interior decorated like a castle, which was amusing. I left towards the end, and they were trying to get rid of all the Spam, so I ended up leaving with 2 cases of it. I have no idea what I'm going to do with it, I don't even eat that garbage! I'll probably just leave them in the hallway....

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"and they were trying to get rid of all the Spam, so I ended up leaving with 2 cases of it. I have no idea what I'm going to do with it, I don't even eat that garbage! I'll probably just leave them in the hallway...."

Are there no homeless shelters or food pantries nearby that would be willing to take them? When you are starving, you aren't picky about what you eat.

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DAILY NEWS - Very Mixed (more not good than good)

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/theater/story/290882p-248991c.html

NY POST - RAVE (the first and only all out Love Fest that Ive seen)

http://nypost.com/entertainment/41216.htm

Well, I think weve covered the majority of them here. And I would say these reviews are mixed period! Not mixed to good, or mixed to bad, just right down the line mixed! I honestly expected better (just because the critics rarely agree w/me), but am justfuly happy with what the critics have said. ESPECIALLY the TALKIN BROADWAY & BROADWAY.COM reviews - couldnt agree w/those 2 more.

Al, I think there are a couple of reasons that Sara Ramirez’s performance surprises us. First of all there are no women in the film to speak of so it is a surprise that one is featured so prominently. Secondly, everyone expects the big “names” to be great. We walk in expecting to see Azaria, Curry and Pierce give full out performances. But to the people who are not familiar with Ramirez’s work she is the true surprise of the evening. Sure, everyone pretty much knows the jokes going in, even some of the songs are familiar…we EXPECTED to see that. What we did not expect was this powerhouse of a talent (a woman in unfriendly Python territory) totally blow us away.

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Lou - No chance. While it remains to be seen what the reviewers think of Chitty, the reports from London aren't too encoraging.

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