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Al Terry
Performance Reviews
Broadway
United States
New York City
New York
New York, NY

Monty Python's Spamalot

by Al Terry
December 15, 2007
New York, NY
"Monty Python's Spamalot" is based on the film 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail'. The musical score has been composed by Eric Idle and John Du Prez and it is directed by Mike Nichols. The book and the lyrics are by Eric Idle too. The show has been choreographed by Casey Nicholaw. There is also a 15 minute intermission. The lighting design is by Hugh Vanstone and the sound design is by Acme Sound Partners. The set and costume design is by Tim Hatley. The special effects design is by Gregory Meeh and David Brian Brown has done the hair and wig design. The cast include Jonathan Hadary as King Arthur, Marin Mazzi as the Lady of the Lake, Lewis Cleale as Sir Denise, and Rick Holmes as Sir Lancelot. The show has a run time of 2 hours and 20 minutes.

The story is about King Arthur and Knights of the Round Table and has been presented in such fashion that those who loved the classic film will end up loving this musical too. The whole show has the audience going hysterical with laughter as the show is very hilarious. The story is set in England during 932 A.D. when King Arthur and his knights get busy seeking the Holy Grail. During their quest King Arthur and his knights meet a saucy French soldier and have an encounter with a deadly rabbit, fight with the Black knight and get to save a singing Prince. Lady of the Lake appears to enchant the audience and guide King Arthur on his quest.

The show was such a hit that it grabbed three Tony Awards in 2005 for Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical and Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Sara Ramirez). It also received 4 Outer Critic Awards and 3 Drama Desk Awards in 2005.

The audience seems to love the way the musical has been directed and adore its brilliant original cast including the likes of Hank Azaria, Tim Curry and David Hyde Price. They seem to like the hilarious Prince Herbert and the songs are a great hit too. The fact that stands out is that the show has made fun of and at the same time praised the shows in Broadway, Las Vegas yet does it in such fashion that nobody is offended. The audience is in for a treat with non-stop hilarity, excellent direction and great performances.

Monty Python fans are divided in their opinion, while some just love the musical for being so similar to the film, others expected something new and were a bit disappointed. But most of them admit that it was a show worth attending.

If you are planning to visit New York and wish to catch one of the top Broadway musicals that has dance worth watching, then do get yourself tickets to "Monty Python's Spamalot". The musical score is great, the songs are superb, the cast brilliant and the comedy outstanding. Make sure you book your tickets in advance to avoid being disappointed. You may consider getting tickets from the show's official website or try an authorized ticket broker's service to get your tickets.

Al is the webmaster of a Broadway Tickets resource site.
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