Merle Dandridge is a BRILLIANT Lady of the Lake. Absolutely stunning performance, worth the price of admission. I saw her first performance and was blown away. I can only imagine how much better she's gotten.
The SPAMALOT matinee today was fun - exactly what I expected of Monty Python type humor. Michael Siberry and Clay Aiken were very good but I would have to say that Merle Dandridge (could the woman be any more beautiful?) and Tom Deckman (as Historian, Not Dead Fred, French Guard, Minstrel and especially as Prince Herbert) were stealing their respective scenes. The "chosen" audience member didn't seem either surprised or pleased so that fell a little flat. The ensemble didn't seem to be phoning it in, but maybe with the closing in sight they are feeling grateful to be working! Thanks again to those who replied.
Glad you enjoyed it. The show definitely had its moments- I enjoyed it, but never loved it. Merle, however, is friggin amazing.
Are the Sarah Palin jokes still in it? The last time I saw it (Merle's first night) they had a couple of them, one of which was hilarious, two of which feel flat.
Goofing around by the company is part of the direction of this show! I saw the London production on Tuesday last week and with a few weeks to go till closing it is in great shape and as tight now as it was 18 months ago. Arthur's understudy was on and was absolutely superb. The Swedish reality TV winner as the Lady Of The Lake was off too and we were treated to a brilliant performance by an understudy with a voice to die for. Eric Idle saw the show two weeks ago and was over the moon with it. At least in London its going out on a high.
Tom Deckman is fantastic as is Rick Holmes. I saw the show earlier this year when Hannah Waddingham was LOL and thought she was much better than Merle. I think Merle has a great voice, saw her on 11-5, but it seemed like she never "finished" her scenes, something was missing on the acting side for me.
Does anyone know who is taking over the role of Sir Robin, among others after Clay AIken leaves? I'm curious who I'm going to see at the final performance.
I saw Spamalot last night (Sunday)..... and I can't exactly put my finger on it, but I did feel the production was a bit tired. Rick Holmes is great, yes, but as a whole I thought something was just a bit missing. It was my third time seeing the show, so I thought maybe it was the 'surprise' aspect of the jokes that was lost on me since I knew what was coming.
HollyDiver - I think you are right about the "surprise" aspect. One of the people with me at the performance had seen the show before, and left at intermission.