BWW Reviews: SPAMALOT Brings the Magic of Broadway to Santa Monica

Winner of the 2005 Tony Award for Best Musical, Monty Python's SPAMALOT is the outrageous musical comedy lovingly ripped off from the 1975 film classic "Monty Python and The Holy Grail." Based on the Tony Award-winning direction of Mike Nichols, with a book by Eric Idle and music and lyrics by the Grammy Award-winning team of Mr. Idle and John Du Prez, SPAMALOT tells the tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table in 932AD as they embark on their quest for the Holy Grail.

It's difficult to know where to begin with my praise for this outrageously spectacular production. With a remarkable cast able to transform themselves into what seemed to be hundreds of characters in a matter of seconds, all the while having so much fun onstage, brilliant and fast-paced direction by Anne Gesling, cleverly comical choreography by Lauren Blair, an scene-enhancing multi-level set designed by Tom Brown, attention-grabbing lighting design by William Wilday, and incredibly beautiful costumes by The Theatre Company, every single element combined brilliantly to make the production shine from start to finish.

Triple-threat actress/singer/dancer Amy Coles is a marvel as Arthur's love interest, The Lady of the Lake, giver of his sword Excalibur, who displays the perfect diva attitude during her lament, "What Happened to My Part." After she transforms Dennis into Sir Galahad (Steven Weber), their duet "The Song That Goes Like This" celebrates, as well as makes fun of, the love ballad in every show that ends with a kiss. With her powerful and awe-inspiring voice, wonderfully inventive movements which bring her comical character to life, and breathtaking costumes each more lovely than the next, Coles shines throughout and will have you wondering what happened to her part when she is not onstage dazzling the audience.

Larry Gesling commands the stage in the pivotal role of King Arthur. His spirit is infectious, leading his knights heroically through verbal as well as physical battles (and dances) with a wide assortment of tormentors. Joe Anderson shines as Arthur's loyal sidekick and cocoanut shell horseman, Patsy, especially during their heartwarming rendition of "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" during their search for shrubbery to appease the Knights who say Ni. What a show-stopping number complete with tap dancing Knights and Ladies under twirling umbrellas! And special kudos to the cast member whose umbrella broke in the middle of the number, yet she took to heart the message and made even brighter despite the snafu.

Sir Robin (Aric Martin), a collector of plague victims, and Lancelot (tall, handsome Spencer Johnson) meet as Lancelot attempts to dispose of the sickly Not Dead Fred (comic dancing genius Steven Flowers) in "He Is Not Dead Yet." Robin and Lancelot agree to become Knights of the Round Table together, Lancelot for the fighting and Robin for the singing and dancing. Both actors bring such fun to their roles throughout the show, especially Martin during "Brave Sir Robin" and "You Won't Succeed on Broadway." Johnson playfully struts his stuff and comes to terms with his true self during the hysterical "His Name is Lancelot" followed by the charming and so-relevant lifestyle duet with Prince Herbert (the forever costume and character changing Marc Ostroff).

The hard-working and forever costume changing ensemble is to be commended for their hilarious varied characters and enchanting dance numbers. From their Danish fish slappers, Laker Girls and Moulin Rouge Can-Can Dancers, to their Las Vegas style showgirls, all the women in the ensemble brought a real sense of joy in performing for an audience every time they took the stage. And the men were a riot, especially as the dead bodies, taunting Frenchman and stilt-walking Knight of Ni (Paul Guay), Sleepy and Stupid guards commanded to guard Prince Herbert by his overbearing father, the head-bonking monks, the very harmonic Knights in "All for One' on the night when all Knights unite, and so many more!

Even though SPAMALOT takes jabs at every possible nationality and religion, the show's positive message rings true in the end. Everyone has their own Holy Grail to pursue in life and whatever it is for you, just go for it and always look on the bright side of life because things work out in the end. Kudos to the cast and crew for making this production work magnificently from start to finish! From flying cows to killer rabbits, with tons of show-stopping musical numbers guaranteed to dazzle your senses, be sure to get your tickets for the Morgan-Wixson production before every show sells out during the run ending August 3.

SPAMALOT with Book and Lyrics by Eric Idle, Music by John Du Prez. Directed by ANNE GESLING, Choreographed by LAUREN BLAIR, Produced by MEREdith Wright. From June 29 - August 3, 2013 on Fri/Sat at 8pm, Sun at 2pm at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre, 2627 Pico Blvd. in Santa Monica 90405. Tickets $25-$30, Seniors/Students $20. Call (310) 828-7519 or visit www.morganwixson.org. Free parking at the Venice Family Clinic, 2709 Pico Blvd.

FEATURING

Larry Gesling - King Arthur
Amy Coles - Lady of the Lake
Joe Anderson - Patsy
Spencer Johnson - Sir Lancelot
Steve Weber - Sir Galahad
Aric Martin - Sir Robin
Ed McBride - Sir Bedevere
Marc Ostroff - Historian/Prince Herbert
Paul Guay - French Taunter / Knight of Ni / Tim the Enchanter
Steven Flowers - Not Dead Fred/Minstrel
Kira Lindsay - Ensemble
Amanda Mead-Tatum - Ensemble
Roy Okida - Ensemble
Isabella Olivas - Ensemble
James Olivas - Ensemble
Shaina Zalma Ostroff - Ensemble
Scott Senior - Ensemble
Laura Sheehan - Ensemble
Robin Twitty - Ensemble
Holly Childers - Ensemble Swing
Lauren Blair - Ensemble Swing
Jack Robert Riordan - Ensemble Swing

Photo Credit: Joel Castro