{"id":106646,"date":"2023-09-12T13:36:55","date_gmt":"2023-09-12T20:36:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/?p=106646"},"modified":"2023-09-17T04:04:06","modified_gmt":"2023-09-17T11:04:06","slug":"monty-pythons-spamalot-at-stagecrafters-royal-oak-mi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/monty-pythons-spamalot-at-stagecrafters-royal-oak-mi\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cMonty Python\u2019s Spamalot\u201d at Stagecrafters, Royal Oak MI"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Reviewed by Suzanne Angeo (member, American Theatre Critics Association; Member Emeritus, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle), and Greg Angeo (Member Emeritus, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Photos by Bureau Detroit<\/em><\/p>\n

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Chris Bateson, Nick Cupelli, Jeffrey Weiner (with coconut shells) Dan Rose, Katie Fairgrieve<\/p><\/div>\n

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A Look on the Funny Side<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Monty Python\u2019s Flying Circus revolutionized television back in 1969, breaking all the rules with off-the-wall sketch comedy and bizarre animated sequences. The legendary comedy troupe Monty Python (Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin) soon branched off into music, films and live shows, including a number of successful musicals.<\/p>\n

One of these is \u201cSpamalot\u201d, based on their 1975 film \u201cMonty Python and the Holy Grail\u201d that totally skewers the Arthurian legend. \u201cSpamalot\u201d became a critically acclaimed smash hit, previewing on Broadway in February 2005 and running for four years. Seen by over two million people, it garnered 14 Tony nominations, winning three, including for Best Musical, Best Actress in a Musical and Best Direction of a Musical. It went on to performances and tours worldwide, with a Broadway revival coming up in November 2023. According to Idle, who wrote the book and lyrics (with music by Idle and John DuPrez), the title \u201ccomes from a line in the movie which goes: \u2018we eat ham, and jam, and\u00a0Spam\u00a0a lot.\u2019 ”<\/p>\n

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Dan Rose, Jeffrey Weiner<\/p><\/div>\n

To open their 68th<\/sup> season, Stagecrafters has really pulled out all the stops, talent-wise. Their bright and jubilant presentation of \u201cSpamalot\u201d offers wonderful performances from cast and crew. Everything is top notch \u2013 from staging, costumes, song and dance (even real tap-dancing!) to the excellent 14-piece orchestra. Colorful animated backdrop projections really make the show, allowing for scene changes in the blink of an eye and some memorable images.<\/p>\n

Trying to describe the plot would be futile. As Jones (co-director of the film version) said: \u201cSpamlot is utterly pointless…it\u2019s full of air.\u201d A souffle of silliness, to be sure. In no particular order, expect flying cows, gross dismemberment, singing plague victims, the mysterious hand of God, a Trojan rabbit, cancan dancers, and shrubbery. Plus a Very Expensive Forest. Oh, and of course, Spam. You get the idea.<\/p>\n

Deanna Daly<\/strong> makes a strong directorial debut with her fast-paced, never-a-dull-moment staging and guidance of the 22-member cast (some playing multiple roles). Among the standout performances: Katie Fairgrieve<\/strong> as the Lady of the Lake (\u201cWhatever Happened to my Part?\u201d) has just the right balance of great comedy chops, dance skills and a real belter\u2019s voice. Stagecrafters set design and directing veteran Dan Rose<\/strong>, as King Arthur, can deliver a song and kick up his heels with the best of them, even though his last outing onstage was almost ten years ago. Nick Cupelli<\/strong> as Sir Belvedere, and Jeffrey Weiner<\/strong> as Patsy (a virtuoso on coconut shells), really ham it up with authority.<\/p>\n

The rest of the ensemble cast demonstrates some notable dancing (splendid fan kicks) and comedy skills in numbers like \u201cNot Dead Yet\u201d, \u00a0and the show stopping \u201cYou Won\u2019t Succeed on Broadway (if You Don\u2019t Have Any Jews\u201d), which features a dance sequence that has to be seen to be believed. \u201cAlways Look on the Bright Side of Life\u201d, performed near the start of Act II, also closes the show in a dazzling, exuberant finale.<\/p>\n

Also deserving a shout-out: choreographer N\u2019Jeri Nicholson<\/strong>; music director Matthew Kush<\/strong>; costume designer Kimberly Wallace<\/strong> and technical director Becca Wisniewski<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re a fan of Monty Python or never heard of them, you\u2019re sure to enjoy this joyful, irreverent and hopelessly silly show. For a little over two hours, you get to look on the bright side of life. Well worth a visit.<\/p>\n

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Wyatt Setty, Chris Bateson, Nick Cupelli, Jeffrey Weiner, Dan Rose<\/p><\/div>\n

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Not recommended for young children<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now through October 1, 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tickets $35; $25 on Thursdays ($3 ticket fee for all tickets purchased online, by phone or at the door)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Stagecrafters at the Baldwin Theatre, Main Stage <\/strong><\/p>\n

415 S. Lafayette<\/strong><\/p>\n

Royal Oak, MI 48067<\/strong><\/p>\n

(248) 541-6430<\/strong><\/p>\n

www.stagecrafters.org<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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Stagecrafters is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts organization with support from: Michigan Arts & Culture Council; National Endowment for the Arts; Royal Oak Arts Council; Oakland County; Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority; and DTE Foundation<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Reviewed by Suzanne Angeo (member, American Theatre Critics Association; Member Emeritus, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle), and Greg Angeo (Member Emeritus, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle)…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"yasr_overall_rating":4.5,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-106646","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-greg-suzanne-angeo"},"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":true,"span_bottom":"