Review of SPAMALOT--BOFFO!

For the sake of Husband and Son, Fiorella made reservations for the Georgetown Palace's presentation of SPAMALOT, but she was the one who ended up laughing her head off. The show was great, from the British-isms of the pre-curtain announcer to the extravagant full-cast finale.

 SPAMALOT is a crazy quilt of Monty Python scenes that starts with a fast-moving Finnish number (blond wigs and salmon) which has nothing to do with the plot, then moves on to the horseless King Arthur and a stunning Lady of the Lake, then develops a somewhat cliche theme of bring true to oneself. The puns, double talk, and distractive references come fast and furious.  WARNING: Monty Python is equal-opportunity irreverent.  The Arthur legend, Broadway, religion (both Christianity and Judaism)--they all take hits.

The sets were terrific, the costumes were great, the music right-on.  The accents--French, Irish, and various British dialects--were believable to an American ear, but understandable.  Fio salutes the twenty-one cast members who had to handle as many as four roles apiece as well as countless dance scenes--all of which called for lightning-quick costume changes.  Arthur (Rick Felkins), Lady of the Lake (Emily Niswonger), and Voice of God (Dale Schultz) filled the other three roles.   Felkins and Niswonger ruled the stage.  Other special stand-outs were Craig D. McKerley, David Sray, high school student Aaron Crowley, and, as always, Phil Rodriguez.

SPAMALOT is basically a male show and sexist as hell, but it's still funny.

second act too long

Theme--be true to yourself