BWW Reviews: SCT's SPAMALOT Full of Character

Stockton Civic Theatre's Spamalot is an animated musical well-fitting the over-the-top humor of its Monty Python inspiration. With golden facial expressions from Bill Yee as King Arthur's manservant Patsy, a myriad of accents from Tom MacDonald's multiple characters, and even a conductor (of Stockton's brand new, live orchestra) with great personality, the production had its opening night audience laughing uncontrollably. Oh yeah, and that King Arthur guy was pretty good too.

With plague and pestilence in every direction, the newly appointed King Arthur sets out to gather his knights of the very very very round table. All for one and slightly less for people they don't like, the band of knights visits Camelot (but shush, what happens in Camelot stays in Camelot) and later receive a quest to search for the Holy Quail... I mean Grail. It's a metaphor, Okay?

The majority of the original Quest for the Holy Grail film gags are present, with some brand new original material inspired by Disney's Frozen and Stockton's local restaurant BD Wong's, courtesy of director James Reed. Each new joke comes again unexpectedly, particularly a large, green leaping surprise.

Those not used to dry humor may not take to the Monty Python style, but plenty of newcomers found reason to enjoy Friday's performance. Even with a few technical hiccups and a disheveled ensemble number here and there, the cast made the amusing script feel off-hand. A strong male ensemble lent extra energy and great vocals to the show, led by Oran Shaun Baker's arithmetically challenged King Arthur. Other highlights included Ethan Albala's hilarious Sir Robin and Brother Maynard, Jeremy Stegmann's smoldering Sir Galahad and Eddie Hargreaves' excited Not Dead Fred and Prince Herbert. Looking stunning in all her glittery costumes, Jessica Spencer's Lady of the Lake (sure she's gone unmentioned for far too long in this review) also steals much of the show with her diva pizzaz.

This is the review that ends like this.

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SPAMALOT
Stockton Civic Theatre
Through July 20
http://sctlivetheatre.com/

Follow Harmony Wheeler's theatre adventures on Instagram and Twitter @HarmonyWheeler.

Photo by George Hong, Knight Images

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