Spamalot Delivers at HPP – But First…a Disclaimer
by Lori Caplan Clark
Before we embark on this review, here’s a little truth bomb. I know very little about Monty Python humor. I know I know…it’s revered, adored, and genuinely respected. This is not to say that I can’t appreciate it, but my perspective whilst sitting inside the Haddonfield Plays and Players theatre was that of a simple peasant, a theatre geek with little knowledge or expectation of what I would be witnessing on the stage.
That felt good to get off my chest.
Now that I got that out of the way…come with me as I discover Spamalot.
The show, which would win the 2005 Tony for Best Musical, is based on the iconic film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," and follows King Arthur and his motley crew of knights as they embark on a quest for the Holy Grail. I learned very early on that this experience was going to be less about the plot, though, and more about everything that happens in between. The story simply serves us opportunities for gags, improv, show-stopping dance, impressive vocals, sumptuous costumes, and a showcase for exceptional comic timing and joke telling, much to the delight of the sold-out house.
The simplicity of the narrative, however, is not reflected in the complexity of the production. This is a BIG show. Many of the individuals in this twenty-person cast were charged with playing multiple roles; there were a considerable amount of costume changes and the HPP set, designed by Chris Miller, was impressive for both its form and functionality.
What I found most remarkable, however, was the level of talent. This is a small community, and there is a limited pool of talent from which to choose. From my seat, it felt like Director Craig Hutchings managed to assemble the best of the best to appear on the HPP stage. The chemistry among the actors was palpable, and it was evident that they were having as much fun on stage as the audience was in their seats. Even the stray prop malfunction or dropped line (not surprising on an opening night) was handled with finesse and humor by this enormously capable cast.
Paul McElwee’s flawless portrayal of King Arthur was elegant and earnest, providing a wonderful contrast to the over-the-top absurdity of the show. CJ Kish delivered another scene-stealing performance, this time as Patsy, Arthur’s coconut-clopping sidekick. Even in the moments when his character is simply on the stage with little dialogue, CJ Kish delivers his narrative, with infectious energy and flawless comic timing. His song and dance performance of "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" at the top of Act 2, was a highlight of my evening.
Our leading lady, The Lady of the Lake, impressively brought to life by the goddess-like Martha Marie Wasser brought the glitz and glamour to the stage while meeting the challenge of singing in a variety of vocal styles. Costumed expertly by Lauren Patanovich, she was simply luminescent every moment on the stage.
The band of knights, including Justin Walsh as Sir Lancelot, Bobby Walker as Sir Robin, Thomas Smith as Sir Dennis Galahad, and Ryan Ruggles as Sir Belvedere, each brought their own charm and charisma to the stage, but once again, the camaraderie and chemistry of this crew is what stood out the most.
Adding to the flavor of the performance was Brian Herrick, as Not Dead Fred and Prince Herbert, who somehow managed to be both sweet and loveable, while oozing sarcasm; and Evan Harris as the French Taunter, whose gift of improv is blatantly obvious, and undoubtedly appreciated by our anyone who had the pleasure of attending this performance.
We were treated to elaborate dance numbers performed by the cast, choreographed by Achilles Inverso, and featuring the glamourous Laker Girls, Eileen Ashley, Jessica Brotherton, Amanda Frederick, Danielle Houpt, Emily Kimble, and Sara Flail (who also served as the Historian). Once again, (it's a theme, here) – the camaraderie and chemistry among this group was remarkable. Rounding out the cast, were the talented John Hager, Antonino Baldasari, Danielle Defassio, Evan Harris, Chris Jewell, and Amber Kusching.
To put it simply, Spamalot was just plain fun. I was concerned that my lack of Monty Python knowledge would have hindered my ability to fully enjoy the piece, and perhaps it made my mission a little more challenging, but sweeping my lack of knowledge to the side, this was pure, theatrical, over-the-top, larger than life…FUN. If you're a Monty Python fan, this is undoubtedly must-see. However, for those like me who are not well-versed in the ways of Python, it’s still not to be missed. Most impressively, HPP’s Spamalot stands out for the genuine joy the troupe shared in showcasing their craft. That joy made for a theatrical experience that transcended my lack of Python knowledge. Hats off to Haddonfield Plays and Players for delivering an evening of pure, unadulterated fun.
Spamalot is running at Haddonfield Plays & Players from now until February 3rd. Tickets can be purchased here: https://haddonfieldplaysandplayers.csstix.com/event-details.php?e=505
