The Brits strike again with their famed comedy group Monty Python and its Broadway musical "Spamalot." While I have seen two of Monty Python's films, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" and “Monty Python and the Life of Brian,” “Spamalot” was a fun new experience for me. Not knowing what to expect, and having very little background on the musical, I walked into Jesse with a blank slate and an open mind. I walk out entertained, yet a bit underwhelmed. While I think parts of the show were excellent, the live orchestra and the acting to name two, there were specific parts of the show that left me saying “meh” as I left the theater.
I’m going to start with one of the show’s parts that really impressed me: the live music. Conducted by Nolan Bonvouloir, I was super impressed by how good the music was for the various musical numbers. Like we talked about in class, most traveling Broadway shows have their music on a CD or pre-recorded track, and while this is understandable due to the lack of resources or funds, a live pit really makes a huge difference. The power and energy that came out of the pit really made me much more engaged in the musical numbers. I also think the actors were much more comfortable singing with live music as opposed to a CD. While it is sometimes hard to distinguish between what’s pre recorded and what is live, I really think that the live music was a very noticeable part of the production and I really applaud all of the musicians who no doubt worked very hard performing for the show. I particularly enjoyed the brass section of the pit, as I think the trumpets and trombones really made the music “pop” and stand out.
Another thing I particularly enjoyed about the show were the incredible performances by the cast members. The acting and signing during “Spamalot” really blew me away. I was particularly shocked by how well Brittany Woodrow, who played the female character The Lady of the Lake, was able to hold such impressive high notes for an extended period of time. It was almost as if she had been trained by soul musicians of the past like Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight. Besides the signing of Woodrow, I was really impressed by how good the rest of the cast was at playing their roles. I was extremely engaged in the play due to the actors natural talent of holding their role and keeping in character, while I suppose this is why they are paid to act, I have seen performances in the past where a role seems very forced and fake. This was not the case with “Spamalot” where the performances of Joe Beuerlein, Thomas DeMarcus and Adam Grabu, really blew me away. What’s more impressive is how each cast member played more than one role, which is more likely than not, an impressive feat.
There were some things that did leave me a little disappointed, however. While the acting and music were great, I did feel that the overall script and storyline was very much old and recycled from “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” While this is very much to be expected, as the program did state that the show is “lovingly adapted” from the movie, I still expected more originality than what was given. For example, many of the plays punch-lines were from the film, both the “Knights who say ‘ni’” and the “Killer Bunny” were both hilarious parts of the play, but seemed a bit old and cliché just because they are so well known from the film. Yet, I guess that is what some people expect to see when they sign up for a Monty Python play, and catering to the audience is the best way to sell seats, so I really shouldn’t be that upset about it.
The famed British comedy group Monty Python brings their Broadway hit “Spamalot” to Columbia, Mo.’s Jesse Auditorium this Sunday Jan. 29, at 7 p.m. Directed by Mike Nichols, and produced by Phoenix Entertainment, the musical comedy is a “loving adaptation” from the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” The musical, which follows in they style of early medieval tales like that of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round table. While the show is very enjoyable, I would not suggest changing plans to be able to see Spamalot. If you happen to be free this Sunday, and don’t mind spending the money on dinner and a show, it will be worth your while, however, don’t feel like you will be missing out if you cannot make the show, as a trip to the nearest Redbox to rent Monty Python and the Holy Grail on DVD almost provides the same experience.
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