Monty Python’s Spamalot
Monty Python’s Spamalot
Book and Lyrics by Eric Idle
Music by John Du Perez, Eric Idle, and Neil Innes
Directed by Tom Kline
Musical Direction by Don Hopkinson
Choreography by Rosemary DeMott
Starring Andre Provencher, James Canavan, Noel Marie Berkofsky and Robb Ross
Moonlight Players, Clermont FL</strong>
Yeah! The community theatre rights to this mega blockbuster musical are out now and one of the first local productions of Spamalot popped up in nearby Clermont. It’s not that far a drive anymore, and even if this little production company is hiding behind the local newspaper office this show is worth getting out to see. If you’re only familiar with the movies, Mr. Idle moved a few things around, mostly to tighten the story and make staging a bit easier. This story riffs on Malory’s collection of knightly derring do; King Arthur (Provencher) rides across Briton with his page and sound effects man Patsy (Canavan). He seeks knights to join him at the round table, and his kingly authority comes from the wet-bottomed tart Lady Of The Lake (Berkofsky) who gave him a sword and a wink. The knight he gathers are more for laughs than battle: the quavering Sir Robin (Ross), the strangely flatulent Sir Bedevere (Kirk Klemash), the ambiguous Sir Lancelot (Ryan Mobley) and the beautifully coiffed Sir Galahad (Spencer Bullen). Most of the movie survives this re-imagining even if scenes are occasionally juggles around or compressed. You’ll laugh at the French Taunting Scene, the Knights who say “Ni”, the Battle of the Black Knight (Klemash reprise), and the killer rabbit. If none of this makes sense, no matter, the sheer silliness will fill in the gaps, or just ask anyone at intermission.
The most impressive thing on stage was the dancing, there were big production numbers complete with tap, and while none of the tap steps were terrible complicated, everyone stayed in time and hit there marks in every number. The singing was outstanding as well; Berkofsky was gorgeous doing “The Song That Goes Like This” and “Whatever Happened to My Part?” Mr. Mobley packed a mean codpiece in the disco hit “His Name is Lancelot”, and the ensemble was excellent with the theme “Find Your Grail.” “Look on the Bright Side of Life” found its way into the show and even if it’s from a different movie it fits in well. Robb Ross was an exciting Sir Robin and “YouWon’t Make It on Broadway” was his best number.
Director Kline and his team did a marvelous job and even though this isn’t the big Broadway set featured at the Carr the intimacy of the space makes for a great comedy experience. If you sit in the front row be prepared to lean back to let everyone take their bows. Go. Now. Start driving.
For more information on The Moonlight Players please visit www.moonlightplayers.com
