A lot to love in Monty Python’s SPAMALOT

HARTFORD-The musical comedy "Monty Python’s SPAMALOT," playing at the Bushnell through Sunday, should come with a warning.

Those attending a performance of the hilarious, irreverent, and silly show may find they leave the theater with permanent smiles stuck to their faces, toes that won’t stop tapping, and be forever unable to look on anything but the bright side of life.
A sure sign of a great musical is having that one song you just can’t get out of your head. For "Monty Python’s SPAMALOT" that song is undoubtedly "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life."

The musical is based on the 1975 film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," which is derived from the BBC television show "Monty Python’s Flying Circus," that ran from 1969 until 1974.

Set in 932 A.D. it loosely tells the tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and their search for the Holy Grail.

For those who remember the film, it’s a delightful walk down nostalgia lane, with the Knights of Ni and their demand for a "shrubbery," the knight who suffers "just a flesh wound," the plague victim who insists "I’m not dead yet," catapulted cows, killer rabbits, and many more characters and incidences from the film.

But it isn’t necessary to have seen the movie or even the television show to enjoy the 2005 Tony-award winning musical. The songs are upbeat and tuneful. In addition to "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life," other memorable tunes include "Find Your Grail," and "The Song That Goes Like This."

At one point Sir Dennis Galahad, played with handsome bravura by Ben Davis, questions King Arthur, played with kingly authority by Jonathan Hadary, about what makes him think he is a king. Arthur says he got the sword Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake, played with over the top campiness by Esther Stilwell, to which Galahad says, "Soggy blondes, with their backsides in ponds, can not replace the electorate."

In an irreverent diva turn, Stilwell’s Lady of the Lake complains that her part isn’t big enough, and sings, "All the Tony awards won’t keep me out of Betty Ford."

The characterizations are first rate, including the large ensemble chorus, with a number of the actors playing multiple roles, such as the effeminate Prince Herbert, played to perfection by Christopher Sutton, who also plays the Historian, Not Dead Fred, a French Guard, and a Minstrel.

There’s lots of flatulent humor, plenty of Las Vegas-style dance numbers, choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, with many candy-colored, sparkling costumes, by Tim Hatley, who also designed the Disneyland-meets-the-Middle-Ages set.

The show is directed by legendary director Mike Nichols, who also directed the movie "The Graduate," as well as Broadway plays such as "The Odd Couple," and "Barefoot in the Park." Nichols did a commanding job of keeping the show moving at a fast and upbeat pace.

One of the original Monty Python cast members, Eric Idle, wrote the book for the show, as well as co-wrote the music with John Du Prez, and the songs couldn’t be better.

There’s even a surprise guest cameo at each performance that is a real hit with the audience.

This is the second time "Monty Python’s SPAMALOT" has come to the Bushnell, and if the audiences’ reactions are any indication, it definitely won’t be the last.


MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT

3 1/2 Stars
Theater: The Bushnell
Location: William H. Mortensen Hall, 166 Capitol Ave. Hartford
Production: Directed by Mike Nichols. Book and lyrics by Eric Idle. Musical director Ben Whiteley. Music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle. Set and costume design by Tim Hatley. Lighting design by Hugh Vanstone. Sound design by Acme Sound Partners. Choreography by Casey Nicholaw.
Running time: 2 hours, plus one 15-minute intermission
Show Times: Today and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 7:30 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
Tickets: $16.50 -$72. Call 987-5900 or visit their Web site at www.bushnell.org

ACTOR... CHARACTER
Jonathan Hadary ... King Arthur
Esther Stilwell ... The Lady of the Lake
James Beaman ... Sir Robin, Guard 1, Brother Maynard
Christopher Sutton ... Historian, Not Dead Fred, French Guard, Minstrel, Prince Herbert
Brad Bradley ... Mayor, Patsy, Guard 2
Patrick Heusinger ... Sir Lancelot, The French Taunter
Ben Davis ... Sir Dennis Galahad, The Black Knight, Prince Herbert’s Father
Christopher Gurr ... Dennis’ Mother, Sir Bedevere, Concorde
Eric Hayden ... Sir Not Appearing
Richard Costa ... Monk
Matt Allen ... Nun
John Cleese ... God
Darryl Semira ... Sir Bors
Richard Costa, David Havasi, Christopher Sutton ... French Guards
Davad Havasi, Darryl Semira, Christopher Sutton, Paula Wise ... Minstrals