Tim Curry in Spamalot

[Ladyofthe Lake]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 10:17am

I have tickets to see this show in NYC in April, and have been excitedly reading as many audience member reviews as I can find. Although I've been delighted by the overwhelmingly positive response, one review raised a little bit of a white flag - it stated that Tim Curry doesn't really sing much in the show. Is that the case? Although I'll look forward to the show in any event, that comment disappointed me a bit, as I'm a huge fan of Tim's and love his singing voice. Comments from anyone who's been lucky enough to see the show in Chicago?

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 10:33am

Of course he sings, he is Arthur, for pity's sake. It is really a great ensemble so no one really jumps out with one major exception, as singing more or less than anyone. All the leads have great numbers. You will not be disapointed.

[Ladyofthe Lake]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 11:23am

Wow, talk about a fast response! I'm impressed at how active this board is! Thanks for the feedback. I knew he did *some* singing, but the fact that this particular review made a point of saying he didn't do *much* singing concerned me a little, that's all - it would seem a terrible waste to cast Tim in a lead role in a musical, then not have him sing much! Anyway, I appreciate the reassurance.

[Jon]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 11:51am

He has three songs in which he's featured: "Arthur's Song", which introduces his character, "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" (the Act 2 opener), in which Patsy sings the first verse, Arthur sings the second, then everyone joins in, and "Alone", which is his big "solo" near the end in which he sings how he's all alone (although Patsy is right there with him, trying to get his attention). He is also in four other songs with the knights.

Arthur functions as the "glue" that holds the show together. He'sa the only one that doesn't play multiple roles. Half the time that the other principlas are on stage, you don't even know it's them beneath the heavy makeup and strange accents. At least Tim Curry is always recognizable.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 11:54am

But that is part of the fun, realizing half way through a scene that a character is being played by DHP or Hank Azaria.

[WhereAmIGoingTo]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 12:45pm

What Jon said is all true. It is very much an ensemble cast, so no one really sing's very much, if you know what I mean. I guess you might say Sara Ramirez sings a lot (at least in the first act), but during the second act even she comes on stage and throws a tantrum at not having more solos. I myself (having a strange and unexplainable fondness for David Hyde Peirce) was slightly disappointed at the time that DHP spent on stage, so I understand your worries. But no fear- just stick around for the second act (DHP finally gets a big solo, and Arthur opens his mouth a lot more too). You shouldn't be very disappointed, especially by second act. You will hear enough to Tim's voice, and if its not enough for your taste, well there's always the cast album (which, from what I hear, is to be released in February), which you can put on repeat. (Its worth it, in my humble "I'll by any cast recording at all" opinion, just for Curry's verse of "Always Look On the Bright Side of Life.") And I agree, Sueleen, that IS half the fun.

[Hank]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 12:47pm

Thanks Jon. I was wondering the same thing as Ladyofthelake. This show sounds like a lot of fun, and I'll be there in April as well. Can't wait!

Posted: 1/2/05 at 1:38pm

Yes, Arthur sings! It is a pretty democratically spread score though and while he is the "star" the four major roles seem pretty even.

I hope that Tim Currry gets a "Showstopper" number like DHP and Hank Azaria each have in Act II (Sara has 3? 4? of them). My geuss is that "Always look on the Bright Side of Life" was to be Tim Curry's big number, but it didn't really come off that way to me. And DHP has top billing in Playbill.

But gosh, it was great to see Tim Curry on stage. Why has he been MIA so long? What was his last Broadway Role? Anyone know what he's been up to?

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 1:43pm

Curry has been VERY busy in Hollywood for the last two decades (IMDB lists over 100 tv and film credits for him including a ton of voice over work). He was last on Broadway in the short-lived musical "My Favorite Year" back in '92. Good to have him back.

[Ladyofthe Lake]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 1:59pm

"Half the time that the other principlas are on stage, you don't even know it's them beneath the heavy makeup and strange accents. At least Tim Curry is always recognizable."

Which seems only fair. Tim Curry has certainly more than done his time "beneath heavy makeup" (and with the occasional strange accent as well). Thanks for the informative response!

[Ladyofthe Lake]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 2:05pm

The cast album is to be released in February? Wow, good to know. I've been debating with myself about whether to buy the OCR in advance of the show (under the apparently correct assumption it would be released before late April), and have pretty much decided that I will. I don't anticipate getting to see it more than once, and I figure the more familiar I am with the songs, and the more of the jokes in the lyrics I'm able to catch, the more I'll enjoy the performance. Of course that means the music won't be a surprise, but such is life...

[TGIF]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 2:11pm

I love Tim Curry, but at the same time he scares the crap out of me.

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 2:14pm

I'm just sayin' 'It' and The Clown *shivers*

QM

[Ladyofthe Lake]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 2:15pm

Tim also starred in the 2001 MSG production of "A Christmas Carol" (maybe not strictly "on Broadway", but on the NY musical stage). The show had a lot more spectacle than heart, but I loved him as Scrooge (although that role was a factor in my asking the question that started this thread...he was the lead, but didn't do very much singing in a role obviously designed to accomodate actors with limited singing ability).

[TGIF]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 2:18pm

"I'm just sayin' 'It' and The Clown *shivers*"

exactly!

"Hiya Georgie, wanna balloon?"

Eek! Definately having a nightmare tonight.

[Ladyofthe Lake]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 2:18pm

"I love Tim Curry, but at the same time he scares the crap out of me."

Yeah, well, I bet "Killer" could stand up to him.

That photo is just too cute for words...

[TGIF]

Posted: 1/2/05 at 2:27pm

I must be dumb, but it took reading that a couple times to figure out what you were refering too. :)

Thank you!