Spamalot

 Spamalot
St. James Theatre
December 2, 2023 

Photo courtesy of Spamalot

The Broadway revival of Monty Python’s Spamalot is over the top fun!  Director/choreographer Josh Rhodes has a strong handle on the material, keeping the pace moving quickly and the physicality precisely timed.  The scenic and projection design by Paul Tate de Poo III is brilliantly conceived and meticulously accomplished.  The cast works as a tight ensemble, delivering high energy performances with flawless consistency in humor and style.  

King Arthur (played by understudy Graham Stevens) is in search of knights for his round table.  He first meets Dennis Galahad (played by Nik Walker), who questions Arthur’s authority.  Arthur tells him of when he met the Lady of the Lake (played by Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer), received Excalibur, and took his rightful place as King of England.  Dennis is convinced, and knighted Sir Galahad.  Robin (played by Michael Urie) is interested in joining King Arthur’s round table, but is leery of the fighting it requires.  Lancelot (played by Taran Killam) guides him, and they both become knights.  With the addition of Sir Bedevere (played by Jimmy Smagula) the band of knights is complete.  When Arthur has an inspired vision, he and his knights set out on a quest to find the holy grail.  The journey is rough, full of surprises and challenges.  Arthur and his knights are forced to dig deep and find their truths.  

King Arthur & his band of knights
Photo courtesy of Spamalot

Graham Stevens (understudy) is commanding as King Arthur, gallantly leading his knights on their quest.  Michael Urie is witty and charming as Sir Robert.  His comic timing is impeccable.  Taran Killam is fearless and funny as Sir Lancelot.  His comic ability ranges from subtle humor to over the top bawdy.  Nik Walker is strong and bold as Sir Galahad.  He also plays the Black Knight and Prince Herbert’s Father.  All these roles are fierce and menacing.  Leslie Rodriquez Kritzer is alluring as the Lady of the Lake.  She is a vocal powerhouse.  

The Lady of the Lake
Photo courtesy of Spamalot

Ethan Slater plays numerous roles.  He keeps the narrative connected as the Historian.  The physicality of his character Not Dead Fred is perfect.  His portrayal of Prince Herbert is clever, sharp, and allows the plot to take an unexpected turn.  Christopher Fitzgerald is hysterical as Patsy, King Arthur’s side kick.  His presence is steady, and his physicality is brilliant.

If you want a boisterous good time, go see Spamalot at the St. James Theatre.  It will leave you feeling uplifted and positive, a feeling that can benefit us all. 

Domenick Danza

The Cottage

 The Cottage
The Hayes Theater
August 11, 2023 

Photo courtesy of The Cottage

The Cottage is just the light, raucous, whimsical sex farce Broadway audiences need to see right now.  It is packed with improbable situations that deliver laughs and culminate in unpredictable predicaments.  Director Jason Alexander has done a stupendous job at polishing the style, rhythm, and timing in playwright Sandy Rustin’s hysterical writing, delivering a polished must-see production.

Laura Bell Bundy & Eric McCormack
Photo courtesy of The Cottage

For the past seven years, Beau (played by Eric McCormack) and Sylvia (played by Laura Bell Bundy) have been meeting once a year, to enjoy a sordid night of wild sex at Beau’s family cottage in the English Countryside.  Sylvia has decided it’s time to come clean.  She sends both her husband, Clarke (played by Alex Moffat), and Beau’s wife, Marjorie (played by Lilli Cooper), telegrams, confessing her love for Beau and their desire to be together.  Beau does not share this deep sentiment, and is not too happy when both Marjorie, who is eight months pregnant, and Clarke, who happen to be his younger brother, show up at the cottage.  Marjorie confesses that she and Clarke have been carrying on a love affair for the past seven years, and the baby she’s carrying belongs to Clarke.  Just as things are about to settle, Beau’s lover, Dierdre (played by Dana Steingold), arrives to tell him she has gotten a divorce from her husband, Robert (played by Nehal Joshi), and he is heading to the cottage to kill Beau. 

Photo courtesy of The Cottage 

That’s just the first Act.  Act II is full of twists and turns and unexpected surprises, as the couples try to make sense of their dilemmas and fulfill their emotional needs.  Playwright Sandy Rustin leaves no stone unturned and boldly delivers on every detail she sets up throughout the story.

The cast is over the top.  Their characters are distinct, and their chemistry is remarkable.  Eric McCormack is sophisticated and self-important as Beau, which plays amazingly well against  Laura Bell Bundy’s daring and sassy Sylvia.  Alex Moffat’s physical timing is perfection, which balances Lilli Cooper’s pushy and elegant portrayal of Marjorie.  Dana Steingold is cunning and perky as Dierdre, which contrasts with Nehal Joshi’s Richard, who is dark and mysterious.  Each character is driven by excessive neediness, which keeps the humor running at an impeccable pace. 

If you need a laugh, this is the show to see.  The production is beautifully designed by Paul Tate dePoo III (set), Sydney Maresca (costumes), and Jiyoun Chang (lighting).   The Cottage is playing at the Hayes Theater.  Don’t miss it!

Domenick Danza