Review: MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT at MNM PRODUCTIONS

Farcical Fun For All in Spamalot!

MNM Productions presents Monty Python's Spamalot at the Kravis Center of the Performing Arts. Featuring music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle, and book and lyrics by Eric Idle, Monty Python's Spamalot is a musical comedy lovingly ripped-off from the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The title of the musical comes from a line in the movie which goes: "we eat ham, and jam, and Spam a lot." Like the film, written by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin, it is a highly irreverent parody of the Arthurian Legend, but it differs from the film in many ways

The basic tale is that of the adventures of King Arthur as he travels around England recruiting his Knights of the Round Table. When he and his band of misfit knights finally gather in Camelot, they receive a charge from God to find the Holy Grail. The quest brings King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table to the strangest of places as they struggle to keep their wits about them remain unharmed by the numerous odd characters they encounter.

The two-story set serves as a variety of castles, fortresses and stone houses. It looks great and serves the various needs of the show surprisingly well. The colorful costumes work well throughout the show with perhaps the exception of the Black Knight. In the performance attended, the slashing of his appendages, didn't quite work. Choreography is generally fun and fitting for each scene. There is a problem seeing tap dance numbers staged downstage however. Because of the design of the stage and auditorium, only the first few rows can see the actors' feet while they're tapping, so those of us seated in the middle missed it.

A commanding JohnBarry Green is perfection as Arthur. Laura Hodos is comedy gold as The Lady of the Lake. She leaves no stone unturned in finding funny bits for her character, and amply sets-up her fellow actors for their comedic shots as well. Their performances are the strongest in the show, but they are thankfully supported by other notable performances.

This is a great show for Michael Scott Ross, as it showcases him in multiple roles (Historian/Not Dead Fred/Minstrel/Herbert) - each of which are enjoyable and all of which are just slightly different. Joshua McKinney juggles multiple roles as well (Lancelot/The Taunter/Knight of Ni/Tim the Enchanter), tackling a variety of accents along the way. He does an admirable job with them all. His French accent is barely intelligible however, so we lose the comedy behind whatever it is he is saying. Andrew Shultz has the funniest role in the show, Patsy. He gets most of his laughs, but needs to step it up just a bit (he was actually funnier as a guard in one scene) and seems to have forgotten his accent for most of the show.

The very nature of MNM's Monty Python's Spamalot is pure, unadulterated fun! Naturally it helps if one is a fan of the original Monty Python, but it achieves general appeal by poking fun at the very nature of musical theatre, plot devices, temperamental actors, pop culture (James Comey), locale (West Palm Beach), and in this case, even shameless plugs of future MNM productions. In this frothy and campy show, actors break the fourth wall, play multiple characters (despite gender), and walk into sets. Though it all might seem the result of an improv scene it is all rehearsed and planned for the greatest audience impact. With that in mind, I do have concern with some of the actors not understanding the difference between braking the fourth wall and breaking character. Coming in at just over two hours including intermission, the show features a live, seven-piece band lead by music director Paul Reekie. If you are in the mood for a good laugh - and have no desire to take a single second of this silly show too seriously - this is the farcical fun production to see.

The original Broadway production of Monty Python's Spamalot opened at the Shubert Theatre on March 17, 2005. It closed on January 11, 2009 after 1,575 performances. The production was seen by more than two million people, and grossed over $175 million. The Broadway production of Monty Python's Spamalot garnered three Tony Awards and three Drama Desk Awards in 2005. In 2006 the show's original cast album won the Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album.

This MNM Productions production of Monty Python's Spamalot will be appearing at the Marshall E. Rinker Playhouse of the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts through June 4, 2017. The Kravis Center is a not-for-profit performing arts center whose mission is to enhance the quality of life in Palm Beach County by presenting a diverse schedule of national and International Artists and companies of the highest quality; by offering comprehensive arts education programs; by providing a Palm Beach County home in which local and regional arts organizations can showcase their work; and by providing an economic catalyst and community leadership in West Palm Beach, supporting efforts to increase travel and tourism to Palm Beach County. This season, the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts celebrates a Quarter-Century on Stage. The Kravis Center is a thriving cultural complex, serving as the gateway to downtown West Palm Beach. Thanks to so many who have and continue to support the Center; it has become one of the premier performing arts centers with a renowned national and international reputation. The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts is located at 701 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach, FL. For tickets and information you may contact them by phone at 561-832-7469, (561-832-SHOW), or 1-800-572-8471 or online at www.kravis.org.

MNM Productions is the latest venture by theatrical producers and arts consultants Marcie Gorman-Althof and Michael Lifshitz. The rising theatrical company has so far produced A Chorus Line, Side by Side, Hair and The World Goes 'Round. Side by Side by Sondheim and The World Goes 'Round received Carbonell Award nominations for Best Ensemble, with the latter show recently winning the local award. MNM Productions also received Silver Palm Awards for Outstanding New Theatre Company and Outstanding Ensemble for The World Goes 'Round, while Paul Reekie was named Outstanding Musical Director for The World Goes 'Round and Hair.

Cast:

Historian/Not Dead Fred/Minstrel/Herbert: Michael Scott Ross*

Patsy/Mayor: Andrew Shultz

Arthur: JohnBarry Green

Robin/Brother Manard: Sahid Pabon

Lancelot/The Taunter/Knight of Ni/Tim the Enchanter: Joshua McKinney

Dennis Galahad/Black Knight/Father: Michael Westrich*

Mrs. Galahad/Bedevere/Concorde: Pierre Tannous

Lady of the Lake: Laura Hodos*

Sir Bors: Kyle Laing

Voice of God: Eric Idle

Ensemble: Alexsa Baray, Whitney Grace, Nicole Kinzel, Shenise Nunez, Christie Rohr, Emily Tarallo, AJ Cola, Ryan Corridoni, Keagan Tanner, Jonatahn Eisele, Kyle Laing, Frank Vomero

Crew:

Director/Choreographer: Kimberly Dawn Smith

Music Director: Paul Reekie

Scenic Design: Cindi Taylor

Lighting Design: Jayson Tomasheski

Costume Design: Leslye Menshouse

Stage Manager: Mikel Gambuto*

*Indicates a member of Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

Picture by Jacek Gancarz

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