We’ll never know if King Arthur, his subjects and rivals actually behaved as they did on the stage of Toby’s, the Dinner Theatre of Columbia, but if they had, it would have been one uproarious era. In the musical theatre’s version of the 1975 film Monty Python’s Spamalot (with a number of differences from the film), director Mark Minnick and his cast and crew offers up one hilarious, laugh-a-second production to the delight of the audience.
Photo by Kirstine Christiansen |
The book and lyrics were by Eric
Idle who also composed the music with John Du Prez. Mike Nichols directed the original Broadway
production of Spamalot in 2005
garnering three Tony Awards including Best Musical among 14 nominations. It ran for over 1,500 performances, and the
show has been seen in over a dozen countries.
Exquisitely costumed and staged, the performers at Toby’s have as much fun as the patrons, as the zaniness of Monty Python is executed to near perfection. Spamalot’s goofy irreverent plot, eschewing any semblance of political correctness, centers on King Arthur’s quest for the Holy Grail. But that merely serves as a vehicle to string together a series of oddball encounters and shtick augmented by a deliciously funny and clever score.
Ross Scott Rawlings, who earned
a well-deserved ovation at show’s end on the night it was reviewed, led the
excellent six-piece orchestra that supported the talented vocalists as they
conquer each number with aplomb. First
and foremost in that regard is Helen Hayes Award winner Priscilla Cuellar who
plays the role The Lady of the Lake.
As the only female lead in the
cast, Ms. Cuellar demonstrates her sensational vocal talents with clarity and strength. She hits the right notes in such group
numbers as “Come With Me,” “Find Your Grail,” and “The Song That Goes Like
This.” But her magnificent solo, “The
Diva’s Lament,” is a show stopper.The astoundingly versatile Lawrence B. Munsey, who plays the central character, King Arthur, is the production’s rock. Never disappointing throughout his professional career, Mr. Munsey plays every part with verve and magnificent attention to detail. His performance in Spamalot is no exception using his commanding stage presence and muscular voice.
Consistently a fine actor with a
penchant for well-timed and delivered comic lines when called upon, Mr.
Munsey’s singing voice also shines. “King Arthur’s Song,” “Come With Me” with
Ms. Cuellar, “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” a glorious dance number
with his Knights, and “I’m Alone” were stellar performances.
Demonstrating the true
disciplined star that he is, Mr. Munsey manages beyond all odds to keep a
straight face throughout the non-stop insanity of the plot and the antics of
the other cast members.
Also performing fabulously is another
Toby’s veteran David James. It’s one
thing to commend him for his role in this production as Historian
(Narrator). But he is also tasked with
five other roles with my favorite being Prince Herbert. You see, Prince Herbert, much to the chagrin
of his father, played wonderfully by Nick Lehan, does not want to marry the
girl his father had arranged for, mainly because he is, well, gay.
The always campy Mr. James
played Prince Herbert to the hilt as he did at the beginning of the show when
he played Not Dead Fred. His Prince
Herbert’s back-to-back numbers “”Where Are You?” and “Here Are You!” are fun. The production number that follows, “His Name
is Lancelot,” with the ensemble attired in flamboyant garb, is one of the
highlights of this show.Photo by Kirstine Christiansen |
Jeffrey Shankle’s primary
character, Patsy, dutifully follows King Arthur around as his servant banging
two coconuts shells together simulating horse’s hooves as King Arthur “rides”
before him. He excelled in “I’m All
Alone” as a counterpoint to Munsey’s King Arthur. Notables in the production also include Shawn
Kettering, Heather Beck, Jay Garrick and Jimmy Mavrikes and the other members
of a very energetic and talented ensemble.
Director Mark Minnick, who also
serves as choreographer, put his dancers through the paces, and they excelled in
several numbers especially “Knights of the Round Table” with much of the cast
and ensemble participating. As precise
as the dancers were, the influence of a zany Marx Brothers movie seeped in
making it a classic visual experience.
David Hopkins’ simple yet
functional set consisted of brick castle walls around the perimeter of the
theater. Stage entrances are used
proficiently to keep the action sustained and balconies are in place for
various scenes. Props were a key element in this production that included such
items as a pull wagon, a oversized wooden rabbit, fake human limbs, barnyard animals, candles
that effectively simulated burning and lots more.
The costume team coordinated by
Lawrence B. Munsey and Marianne VanStee outfitted the cast in a dazzling array
of medieval chain mail costumes originally designed by Tim Hatley and other
attire that ranged from French maid costumes to a “very gay” Broadway
production number apparel to a sparkling Cher gown (Bob Mackie would approve)
to Laker Girl Cheerleading outfits to a woman clad in just underwear. Yet, the period costumes worn by King Arthur
and his Knights as well as the ensemble are simply outstanding with their
detail and authenticity.
Lighting designer Colleen M.
Foley makes effective use of color lights and sudden illumination to augment
the action. Sound designer Drew Dedrick
also does a nice job of creating echoes when authoritative pronouncements are
made (such as when God is talking) and clasps of thunder on occasion.. All the performers are effectively mic’d so
that the lyrics and dialogue are clearly audible.
Spamalot is
classic slapstick comedy with an extraordinary cast and technical crew that is
ably directed by Mr. Minnick. There is
no better way to kick the winter doldrums than with this totally enjoyable, fun
journey to find that elusive Holy Grail.
Running time: Two hours and 25 minutes with an
intermission.
Spamalot runs through March 23 at the Dinner Theatre of Columbia, 5900 Symphony
Woods Rd., Columbia, MD 21044. For more
information and to purchase tickets, call 410-730-8311 or online.#HoCoArts
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1 comment:
I agree with you totally Steve! Here's Amanda's review on DCMetroTheaterArts.
http://www.dcmetrotheaterarts.com/2014/01/25/monty-pythons-spamalot-at-tobys-dinner-theatre-by-amanda-gunther/
You can see Steve's review and other local reviews of this show and others in 'Other Reviews.'
http://www.dcmetrotheaterarts.com/other-reviews/
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