TGIF's Spamalot Review (3.2.05)

[TGIF]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 11:13pm

I am not quite sure how to review this. Monty Python, like Jukebox Musicals, is in a class all of its own. I should firstly state that I am a fan of the movie and, though not able to quote the movie, know it fairly well. To appreciate theatre you have to appreciate the type of theatre it is. For example, Movin’ Out is a ballet (of sorts) and does an excellent job for what it is.

Creators did a sufficient job of combining elements of the movie with new scenes and songs. I was disappointed that my two favorite scenes (the witch scene, and the end scene with the questions to cross the bridge) did not make the show in one form or another, yet I understand why they weren’t there. For previews, this show is in superb shape and I see no major problems. However the Knights of Ni scene left something to be desired. I thought it dragged a bit in that part of the show. I might be biased in my judgment of this scene; I was not a fan of this scene in the movie and never understood what was funny about it.

Sara Ramirez, a woman raved about on this board, is an amazing talent. Despite her talent I don’t understand why such conviction that she is a shoe in for Best Female Lead. The songs are great, yet the placement of them seems off. I’m not referring to the subject matter of the songs it just seems that her part is thrown in your face in the middle of Act 1. Then you hardly see her in Act 2 (I don’t know if this was done purposely).

The songs are great. My particular favorites are “You won’t succeed on Broadway”, “I’m not Dead Yet,” and “Knights of the Round Table.” They did a good job keeping true to the song from the movie while still adding an extra something at the end.

I have absolutely no complaints about the cast. All of them have their own moments to shine (David Hyde pierce in “You won’t succeed…”, Hank Azaria in “His name is Lancelot,” and Sara Ramirez in “Diva’s Lament”) and are in my opinion flawless. I also enjoy when leads play multiple characters. If one is considered dull they have a chance to show off their character acting skills.

The show overall is very enjoyable. Great cast, good score, great jokes. I have yet to see any other shows that are likely to be nominated for best musical so I cannot make an accurate guess to whether it is a likely winner. If I had to guess based on what think and feedback of others I would say DRS or Spelling Bee would win over this. I had great laughs, so happy I was able to see the show, and would recommend it to friends to see.

I have never experienced worse audience etiquette then I did today. My first thought was: “Okay, these must be Monty Python fans and aren’t familiar with proper theatre behavior. However, after listening to an argument between the man and the woman if Patsy was supposed to be a guy with coconuts or an actual horse, I didn’t know what to think. I was seated in row D of Mezzanine and had a perfect view, surprisingly close. However, the man thought it wasn’t close enough so he whipped out his binoculars. (Now I know many people do this and its not a bad thing, but that is when you are last row balcony not front of the mezz).

Now in between passing the binoculars between himself and his wife/girlfriend/sister/whatever she was to him, I felt random taps on my head. It took me a couple seconds to realize what it was. It was his ARM. Yes. His arm. I found it around MY chair (Yes. My Chair.) every couple of minutes. This made me extremely uncomfortable. They also had a lively discussion to find out if that was “that guy from ‘The Birdcage’ ya know the one in the knights outfit” while wildly passing the binoculars back and forth.

I ‘stage door’-ed after the show, it was such a stellar cast I couldn’t not go. I wanted to tell the entire cast how much I enjoyed the show and their performances. However, I couldn’t recognize almost all the ensemble do to all the costumes.

Hank Azaria was the first of the “stars” of the show to come out. He was great and posed for pictures and signing everything. There was one guy on the end who kept talking to Hank and he was such a sport about it. The man kept saying “I really enjoyed that guy from Frasier” His response was “Eh, not really a fan.” (The same was said when he commented on Sara). The man then said how talented Tim Curry was; Hank said he never met him! However, the best part was when this guy told Hank that he enjoyed his performance in Fiddler on the Roof.

Hank: Oh, I wasn’t in that show!
Man: Yes you were! I saw you!
H: *laughs* Why would I lie about not being in a show!
M: Well you were wonderful in it.
H: I wasn’t in it! You can’t lie about Fiddler on Broadway!!

Also, David Hyde Pierce came out and was equally as gracious and willing to sign/take pictures. Tim and Sara didn’t come out, and I missed Chris.

Updated On: 5/4/05 at 11:13 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 11:16pm

Nice post!

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 11:22pm

Nice review. I saw SPAMALOT tonight (I'm going to post a review in a bit) and I agree on some of your points, disagree on others.

Question: I found the only lead in the show to be Curry, as far as Tony's. I would definitely say that Azaria, Pierce, and Ramirez should hopefully all be considered supporting. Have they made rulings yet? Do you disagree?

[thirdrowcenter]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 11:27pm

Didn't you love Tim Curry? I agree about the Knights of Ni. I was so impressed with Hank Azaria: The French Taunter, Sir Lancelot, Knight of Ni, and Tim the Enchanter. I also thought Christopher Sieber was excellent. I feel lucky to have seen DRS and now Spamalot. Both shows were extremely entertaining.

[TGIF]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 11:32pm

Tim was fabulous, though scares the sh!t out of me. Thank God I was in Mezz. If I was front row his eyes would have given me nightmares. :).

I also want to add how good Michael McGrath (Patsy) was.

[JaiRoAngel]

Posted: 3/2/05 at 11:42pm

is Tim Curry known for not coming out to sign autographs? I am seeing it on the 16th and I was hoping to catch him.

[Jon]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 7:56am

Ramirez will definitely be in the Featured category.
Among the featured men, Christian Borle stands out.

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 11:13am

Fantastic review, TGIF.

Your comment about the guy with the binoculars really made me laugh. I remember when I saw The Boy From Oz and a woman in the front row of the orchestra was using her binoculars (!!!). Hugh Jackman demanded to know what she was looking at.

QM

[TGIF]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 11:19am

Aww, adorable. I'm sure she was alot more amusing then this guy.

Check your PMs, QM.

[thirdrowcenter]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 11:43am

I confess to using binoculars in the second row of the balcony for BFO. I am visually challenged, however.

[MagicToDo82]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 12:11pm

I heart Hank Azaria.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 12:22pm

Well, I heart Sara Ramirez.

[TGIF]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 3:38pm

So much love for the cast. :)