Spamalot has laughs a lot

[mojosmom]

A while back, I said I wasn't planning to see Spamalot because the only seats available were restricted view. But a few days ago, I got a PM from Sonora. She and her husband were coming to Chicago, had extra tickets, and would I like to go? "Yes!", I PM'd back, quick as a wink. So this evening, I got to meet them for dinner (talked about BC and law), the show, and a drink after (talked about law and BC), and had a great time. Spamalot is a really funny show. While it probably helps to be a Monty Python fan to appreciate all the subtleties (hmm, there's something odd about using the word "subtleties" in the same sentence as MP!), it's not necessary to one's enjoyment of the show. The real revelation is Sara Ramirez, the female lead (Lady of the Lake, The Witch, The Cow). A fabulous voice and excellent acting, and she has a couple of the best/funniest songs in the show, "The Song That Goes Like This" and "The Diva's Lament". One number, "You Won't Succeed on Broadway", borders on the tasteless, but after all, what would a Monty Python show be without some tastelessness?

Anyway, go see it if you have the chance. You won't regret it.

Comments

[shendoah.livejournal.com]

Subtlety and Monty Python? Huh. Dh is a big MP fan, as is brother. Is it playing in Washington DC? Maybe I can get him tickets....

[mojosmom.livejournal.com]

It heads to Broadway next. If it's a hit (and I'll be surprised if it isn't!), it's bound to get to DC, though probably with a touring company.

[whytraven.livejournal.com]

Neat! I'd enjoy that.

[greedyreader.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the review. My tickets are for the end of February. I asked a question in BC, but can you answer it here instead. Is the Chicago and NYC casts the same? (I would hate to miss out on Ramirez's performance.)

[mojosmom.livejournal.com]

Yes, the casts are the same (barring any unforeseen calamities). This is the pre-Broadway tryout/preview/"fix the bits that don't work" run.

You must check out the (http://www.montypythonsspamalot.com)!

I just googled Spamalot (hadn't heard of it before)

[annulla.livejournal.com]

The show's Web site says that it is based on Monty Python's Life of Brian - a film I remember only because of its graphic depictions of dismemberment and rivers of spurting blood. I remembering sitting in the theatre feeling nauseated while everyone around me was laughing hysterically. I actually had to leave before the film ended.

So - if the show is anything like the movie that inspired it, I'll have to pass.

Re: I just googled Spamalot (hadn't heard of it before)

[mojosmom.livejournal.com]

The musical has only one, ver short, scene of dismemberment, and there's no spurting blood.

Glad to hear that Spamalot is entertaining!

[gorydetails.livejournal.com]

I was a bit dubious - why mess with success, after all? - but it seems there's room for more than one way to seek the Holy Grail!

My most recent theater-going experience was Johnny Guitar: The Musical, which I saw in Boston; very campy and funny, with some catchy songs (and a cute actor or three, which didn't hurt!). [I'd seen the movie (Joan Crawford, Sterling Hayden, Mercedes McCambridge) and got to enjoy the similarities, but the friends who went with me hadn't seen the film and enjoyed the musical anyway.]

Re: Glad to hear that Spamalot is entertaining!

[mojosmom.livejournal.com]

I was a bit dubious - why mess with success, after all? - but it seems there's room for more than one way to seek the Holy Grail!

Yes, I had wondered, too. But I'd felt that way about The Producers, and was, thankfully, proven wrong. And besides, Mike Nichols directs, so that was a good sign!