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Monty Python’s
SPAMALOT
A New Musical lovingly ripped off from the motion picture
“Monty Python and the Holy Grail”
Book & Lyrics by Eric Idle
Music by John Du Prez & Eric Idle
Directed by Mike Nichols
Choreographed by Casey Nicholaw
At the Cadillac Palace Theatre
151 W. Randolph
Chicago, IL
Call 312-902-1400, tickets $30 - $85
Tuesdays at 7:30 PM
Wednesdays at 2 & 7:30 PM
Thursdays at 7:30 PM
Fridays at 8 PM
Saturdays at 2 & 8 PM
Sundays at 2 PM.
Running time is 2 hrs, 25 min with intermission
Through June 4, 2006
Monty Python’s SPAMALOT is pure entertainment!
The 2003 Tony Award winner for “Best Musical” appeals to those devoted followers of the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” Returns to Chicago a tighter smoothly flowing show whose humor runs from crude potty to wonderful word play to just plain silliness. But it is an in-your-face comedy sure to please everyone. Filled with all the wacky Knights of the Round table lead by their goofy King Arthur (the marvelously deadpan Michael Siberry) and his over worked and over looked sidekick Patsy (the terrific Chicago based Jeff Dumas), SPAMALOT is a masterful Broadway Musical containing a rich and lovingly ripped off score paying odes to classic Broadway musicals together with stellar lighting, sets and video projections that vividly takes us into zany world in search of the Holy Grail. The trip is a hilarious treat with toe-tapping tunes and slick dances.
SPAMALOT is a first class Broadway musical that everyone from teens to seniors will enjoy.
True to the movie yet a major Broadway musical, SPAMALOT has a universal appeal with plenty of heart. We easily take to the bumbling Arthur, his pal Patsy and the collection of flawed knight led by the Sir Robin (David Turner), Sir Lancelot (Rick Holmes) and Sir Galahad (Bradley Dean). The stunning vocals from Pia Glenn as the Lady of the Lake add rich musical moments and some deft humor.
Eric Idle’s score contains a mixture of satirical pokes at classical Broadway shows (Fiddler, Phantom and others) while offering a blend of Vegas revue and traditional Broadway show-stopping numbers. “I’m Not Dead Yet,” “The Song that Goes Like This,“ and the show’s theme song “Find Your Grail” are tuneful treats.
Act two’s catchy “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” and the poke at being Jewish on Broadway with “You Won’t Succeed on Broadway” are finely staged and danced numbers. Pia Glenn’s “Diva’s Lament” brings down the house and the ending “Find Your Grail” Medley end the energetic whimsical show on an uplifting note.
SPAMALOT is more than a Monty Python silly show; it is a slick, funny, well sung and danced Broadway spectacular with fine production qualities and lots of heart. SPAMALOT is a fine show to introduce teens to the magic of the Broadway musical.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed April 22, 2006
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