UPDATED Spamalot 8/27/06 Review - SPOILERS!!!

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/27/06 at 9:11pm

I went into the city today and ran all over to find SRO tickets to a show I didn't see or wanted to see again. No success at Mamma Mia, Producers, or Beauty and the Beast. Wedding Singer rush sold out, which I thought was odd since they sell remaining tickets at student rush prices, and I highly doubt this performance was sold out. So I unexpectedly ended up at Spamalot...SRO. I couldn't take the standing anymore, and luckily found front row right orchestra after intermission.

I didn't really want to see Spamalot since I've already seen the tour twice. The cast was great, but this show definitely has too much hype (duh). Seeing it once was great and fun, seeing it the second time was fun as well, but by the third time around I found myself bored with some of the jokes since I knew what was coming, even though I saw it with a different cast.

And yeah, I thought Lauren Kennedy had a great voice, but now I understand what people mean when they say she isn't as "diva-esque" as the role requires.

So I enjoyed watching the songs being performed, but was a bit bored by the actual dialogue. Despite that, I had fun. But if you've seen this before, it's not something you need to see again and again like some other shows.

Updated On: 8/28/06 at 09:11 PM

[bwayondabrain]

Posted: 8/27/06 at 9:13pm

and if you havent seen it at all, is it worth seeing?

anyway, glad you enjoyed it somewhat...

:)

sorry you couldnt get student rush elsewhere! that sucks

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/27/06 at 10:34pm

I think it's worth seeing as a first time thing. It's fun to watch. If the jokes are unexpected, then you might laugh. I knew what was coming, and as a result, felt a little bored with some of the dialogue.

One of my favorite numbers was "You Won't Succeed..."

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 8/27/06 at 10:47pm

Thank you for the review I adore SPAMALOT. It is hilarious and fun, but I do agree... It is more than worth it once, but the magic is in seeing it for the first time. The jokes and all the banter ect are not as catching after the first time.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 8/28/06 at 6:51pm

I went into the city today and ran all over to find standing room only (SRO) tickets to a show I didn't see or wanted to see again. No success at Mamma Mia, Producers, or Beauty and the Beast. Wedding Singer rush sold out, which I thought was odd since they sell remaining tickets at student rush prices, and I highly doubt this performance was sold out. Well, I came all the way to the city to see a show, so I wasn't leaving without seeing anything. So I unexpectedly ended up at Spamalot...SRO. I couldn't take the standing anymore, and luckily found front row right orchestra after intermission.

I didn't really want to see Spamalot since I've already seen the tour twice. The cast was great, but this show definitely has too much hype (duh). Seeing it once was great and fun, seeing it the second time was fun as well, but by the third time around I found myself bored with some of the jokes since I knew what was coming, even though I saw it with a different cast.

I think the cast is in pretty good shape. The only original principal members remaining were Michael McGrath, Christian Borle, and Steve Rosen. Although they aren't "names" like Tim Curry, David Hyde Pierce, and Hank Azaria, the show has made a name for itself and you do not need stars to fill the roles.

That said, I don't really have much to say about each individual member about the cast. I thought Harry Groener did a fine job as King Arthur. Michael McGrath was hilarious as King Arthur's coconut-banging sidekick, Patsy. I also loved Christian Borle in all the parts he played: the Historian, Not Dead Fred, a French Guard, Minstrel, and Prince Herbert. I think out of all of those my favorite part he played was Prince Herbert, especially during the "Here Are You" scene. I loved his voice. And Lewis Cleale (who played Galahad, the Black Knight, and Prince Herbert's father) was funny too, especially as Prince Herbert's father ("Stop it! Stop all that bloody singing!"). One of the highlights of the show, I thought was "You Won't Succeed on Broadway."

Martin Moran was Sir Robin did a great job on this song, except I didn't really care for his piano cadenza. I know it doesn't have to sound the way it did on the CD, and that the actor can improvise it (like I think David Hyde Pierce did), but I felt like he could've done more with it. Maybe I'm wrong - David Hyde Pierce was a talented pianist so maybe he chose to do more with the cadenza, and it's not that important. I loved the Grail Dance - probably one of my favorite dance breaks in the show.

I thought Lauren Kennedy had a great voice, but now I understand what people mean when they say she isn't as "diva-esque" as the role of the Lady of the Lake requires. Though she wasn't bad, I thought that perhaps this role didn't suit her talents. For example, when Sara Ramirez and Pia Glenn played the role, you could tell by their performance that their character was a diva and you just had to pay attention to them (hence "Diva's Lament"). However, I didn't get that impression with Lauren Kennedy's interpretation. Nevertheless, I thought she did okay as the Lady of the Lake.

Steve Kazee as Lancelot - he did a great job. The role of his that stood out, however, was as the French Taunter. He pulled off the French accent and had everyone laughing till they had tears coming out of their eyes.

In the end, they "find the grail" in Seat A101. The lucky audience member was someone who simply called herself "Lady Carol." Then she goes onstage and gets a little foot trophy, a Polaroid with the cast, and a personlized song sung by the cast right there on stage. I thought that was pretty awesome. After "Lady Carol" walked offstage, the Lady of the Lake reveals that she is really Guinevere (sp?). Steve Rosen threw in a funny improvised comment: "Personally, I think Lady Carol is better. The audience cracked up.

In the end, even though I said I got bored at some parts because it was my third time seeing it, I had a good time. The cast is funny and in good shape. Go see it if it will be your first time.