Review: MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT at Theatre In The Park

SPAMALOT under the stars.

"Monty Python's Spamalot", at the Theatre in the Park (TTIP) on Kansas City's west side, opened on June 2nd as the latest entry in TTIP's 48th season. This production, directed by Barbara Nichols, pays homage to the original 1975 movie "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." A festively decorated set in the form of medieval scenery, clever costumes, and splashes of tongue-in-cheek modernity, formed a stylish backdrop for the ensuing zany antics of an exuberant cast.

An unshakable and self-assured King Arthur, played commandingly by Brian Larios, leads his ditsy knights on a quest for the Holy Grail. Through vignettes lifted straight from the movie, and other scenes that parody typical Broadway schlock and Vegas reviews, the cast deftly maneuvers through the irreverent material. Arthur and his "Knights of the Round Table" adventures lead them to berating Frenchmen, beautiful showgirls, gay princes, mystical ladies, killer rabbits and cows.

Lyndsey Agron, as the lady of the Lake, provides some of the juiciest satire as Arthur's ethereal love interest. Ms. Agron sends up vintage diva performance styles into the night sky whether overseeing her Laker girls cheering on their Knights, or working the stage like a Vegas veteran. The high point of the evening involves Ms Agron and Ken Koval (as long-locked Galahad) drifting onto the stage in a boat for the hilariously overdone "The Song That Goes Like This."

Musical Director/Conductor, Martha Risser, leads a talented ensemble of musicians who were consistently pitch perfect and the choreography by Mindy Moritz includes some nicely executed tap dance numbers. As with many productions that are converted from movies to the stage, the familiarity of the material itself can make the pace seem slow and the jokes have less punch. However, it seems safe to say that everyone is having a good time, both on and off the stage.

The venue, which is an open-air amphitheater, is the perfect place to take in a show under a canopy of stars. Arrive early and bring your blanket, or low lawn chair, a Frisbee to toss, and grab something at the concession stand so you can catch an enjoyable pre-show performance (this night it was a local dance group). The relaxed atmosphere is perfect for this kind of slapstick musical. Thanks to a well-prepared cast, this production may leave you whistling in the night air "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life."

SPAMALOT runs June 2-10, 2017 and tickets are available at www.theatreinthepark.org

Photo courtesy of TTIP.

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