Spamalot Gallops It’s Way To the Kravis Center

James Beaman as Sir Robin and his Minstrels / Photo Credit: Joan Marcus

Critics Rating- 3 out of 5 Spotlights

For Monty Python fans alike, the Kravis Center is currently playing host to Eric Idle’s, Spamalot until March 16^th. Presented by Stanford’s Broadway Across America, Spamalot tells the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table as they search for the Holy Grail.

“Lovingly ripped off the motion picture, Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail”, Spamalot is full of the British humor and sidesplitting entertainment that is expected from the minds of John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle and the other brilliant writers of the famous troupe.

The 2005 Tony Award winner for Best Musical currently stars Christopher Sutton, Brad Bradley, Esther Stilwell and many other talented actors. Headlining this cast was Tony Award and Drama Desk winner Gary Beach, best known for his role of Roger DeBris in the Broadway production and movie version of The Producers.

Playing his first performance last week in Miami, Gary Beach came into the role of King Arthur and nailed it. There were some moments when you could tell that he was new at this role. For instance, I happened to notice that at times, particularly during “Knights of the Round Table”, that Mr. Beach was looking around the stage, a little unsure of himself, although his musical talent was no disappointment to fans during “I’m All Alone”.

The only disapointing performance was Esther Stilwell who played The Lady of the Lake. Her singing talents were sub par to Sara Ramirez (the original Lady of the Lake on Broadway) and her scat sounded completely scripted. Unfortunately, her voice was not as strong as the rest of the cast.

The other problem I had with the show was the speed and accent of the lines spoken during the show. Given the fact that the movie was spoken at the same speed and the accent, people that haven’t seen the movie may have been lost without the subtitles.

Special recognition goes to Brad Bradley for his role of Patsy, Christopher Sutton for his many roles, but in particular, Prince Herbert and James Beaman for his role of Sir Robin. All of these actors did an amazing job portraying a number of roles. James Beaman did a superb job in “You Won’t Succeed on Broadway” and his “brave” reactions to being scared.

Offstage kudos belong to Tim Hatley for set and costume design and to Hugh Vanstone for lighting design. These two gentlemen truly brought the Monty Python feel to this show through bright and colorful costumes and the zany sets that were from the cartoon images shown in Monty Python’s Flying Circus.

The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts will continue it’s final Broadway Across America series with Camelot starring Lou Diamond Phillips from April 15^th to the 20^th and ending it’s series will be Soundheim’s Sweeney Todd from May 13^th to the 18^th.

For more information, be sure to check out www.broadwayacrossamerica.com or www.5minstocurtain.com