Review: MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT- Campy Hilarious Fun Opens at the White Theatre

One of the best musical comedies to reach a Kansas City stage this season opened on Saturday July 12 at the White Theatre. Steven Eubank directs Monty Python's Spamalot, with book and lyrics by Eric Idle, music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle, and music direction by Pam Williamson. Eubank appears to be a comedic genius in his direction of campy stage plays. Working with an extremely talented cast, he puts together a hilarious production reminiscent of one of the funniest movies of all times, Airplane!.

Having seen the choreography of Tiffany Powell in the Egads! Theatre Company production of Lysistrata Jones: A Musical Comedy my expectations were high and what the audience was treated to was near perfection. The dance sequences were lively, humorous, and added the extra oomph to an already spectacular show. Everything about the production, from set design by Shane Rowse to costumes by Julia Ras, was like the story of Camelot, magical.

Like the movie Airplane! it is important to watch as much of the stage as possible and not just where the primary action or dialogue is originating from. At one point, the cast is on stage carrying signs, one of which reads "Your Ad Here" and another in the castle window gives the opening date for Fiddler on the Roof at the White Theatre. The only problem with the scene is you want it to last longer, so you can read all the signs.

Reed Uthe is fantastic as King Arthur, setting out on a crusade to find the Holy Grail. He has a marvelous voice and an excellent sense of timing. His facial expressions tell the story when he does not speak and at times draw huge laughs from the audience. His servant Patsy, played by Josh Brady, is delightful and works magnificently off King Arthur's character. His reactions to the King as Arthur sings that he is alone bring such roars of laughter that some of the lines of the song are lost to the audience.

The Lady of the Lake, played by Lyndsey Agron, and Sir Galahad, played by Robert Hingula, perform a wonderful duet. Both have grand voices that blend smoothly with each other. Agron has performed for Eubanks at Egads! and makes her fifth appearance at the White Theatre. Hingula returns to the White Theatre where he appeared in The Who's Tommy and LES MISERABLES.

Joining Uthe on stage and on the quest for the grail are Sir Robin, played by Joel Morrison, Sir Lancelot, played by Adam Branson, and Sir Bedevere, played by Cory Dowman. Each performer was superb in their presentations and have voices to match. Jayson Chandley splendidly plays multiple parts as the Historian, Fred, the Minstrel, Herbert, and Others. Just keeping the accents and characteristics of each part would be hard enough and Chandley does it with apparent ease.

The remainder of the remarkably talented cast include John Edmonds, Guy Gardner, Max Mammele, Ethan Platt, Samantha Agron, Jessica Alcorn, Meagan Edmonds, and Cassaundra Sutherland. Every member of the highly talented ensemble could undoubtedly take the lead role in any production.

There is not a better way to end a season than with a do not miss show such as Monty Python's Spamalot. Spamalot runs through July 27 at the White Theatre located at the Jewish Community Center in Overland Park, Kan. Purchase tickets at 913-327-8054, by email at boxoffice@jewishkc.org or contact the White Theatre website. Photo courtesy of The White Theatre.

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