Anyone seen Spamalot?

Subject: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: The Shambles
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 09:02 AM

Nudge, nudge, wink, wink.

Anyone like, know what I mean 'eh, err, like, you know, seen the musical Spamalot?

What's it like?

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: Peace
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 09:12 AM

It sounds a bit bizarre, Shambles.

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: The Shambles
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 09:14 AM

http://www.montypythonsspamalot.com/

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 09:19 AM

It was really good. I did not think that it could possibly approach the level of Python madness without the original troupe, but the cast pulled it off. Great script, wonderful staging, and the cast I saw was superb.

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: M.Ted
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 09:37 AM

Yes. I saw Spamalot--in the first week on Broadway, in fact. I was really looking forward to it, and was disappointed. I expected that it would be more than just a reenactment of the sketches--but it wasn't. I The audience was about half divided between people who were mouthing the words and laughing hysterically, and people who were bored.

The musical numbers are not very interesting--they were more or less supposed to be "send-ups" of numbers in other shows, like "Wicked" and "The Producers", but ended up looking like just copies, instead.

I see a lot of Broadway shows, and, unlike some "serious" musical theatre afficianados, I tend to like shows that have been made from popular movies, and I tend to like the "big" shows--

The same week that Spamalot opened, "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" also opened--I wanted to see something else while I was there, and did the "eenie, meenie" thing, and saw DRS----it turned out to be one of the funniest shows I'd ever seen, with extraordinary music,
great choreography, etc. I've seen it about five times--Haven't been back to Spamalot--

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: My guru always said
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 09:38 AM

When's it coming over to the UK or have I missed it? Have taped last night's program about it so am looking forward to watching that. Wonderful memories!!

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: M.Ted
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 12:54 PM

It started at the Palace Theatre on October 2. I haven't seen any reviews--perhaps it is still in previews. There was concern that, having been created as a Broadway Show, all of the "insider" jokes would be off-putting to London audiences, so it may have been changed from the New York production.

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: GUEST,Barnacle at work
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 01:00 PM

It certainly looks like it may be worth a look - it was the subject of last night's South Bank Show on TV

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 01:01 PM

I saw it in Boston and I thought it was hysterical. My take on it was that it wasn't just a re-hashing of old sketches, rather it used them to do a complete parody on Broadway musical theater as a genre- and pulled it off!

I want to find a leading man to sing "Once in Every Show There's a Song that Goes Like This" with.

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: The Shambles
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 01:09 PM

I want to find a leading man to sing "Once in Every Show There's a Song that Goes Like This" with.

Yes - are the rest of the songs are as good as that one?

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: The Shambles
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 01:12 PM

http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/spamalot/thesongthatgoeslikethis.htm

Once in every show
There comes a song like this
It starts off soft and low
And ends up with a kiss
Oh where is the song
That goes like this?
Where is it? Where? Where?

A sentimental song
That casts a magic spell
They all will hum along
We'll overact like hell
For this is the song that goes like this
Yes it is! Yes it is!...............................

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: M.Ted
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 01:23 PM

My response to that number, Animaterra, was, "Not in the hit shows."

And there is a number, You Won't Succeed On Broadway" to the effect that you won't succeed on Broadway if you don't have any Jews" that offends without actually being funny.

It is a lame protraction of a line the song, "Where Did We Go Right?" in Mel Brook's The Producers (which Idle wanted to work on, but was passed over) about the certainty of offending the audience with a show praising Adolph Hitler, which went "And we knew we couldn't lose, half the audience were Jews"--

Save your money for "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels"--

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: Lanfranc
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 02:00 PM

Interesting to note on the South Bank Show that Eric Idle is a better than just competent guitarist. Which might explain why nobody I know has yet come up with a simple arrangement of the Galaxy song that works.

Unless, of course, you know different!

Alan

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 02:49 PM

No but I desperately want to!!!

LTS

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 04:04 PM

Admittedly, I was concerned that I would be disappointed after all the years of Python humor and madness. Happily, I was more than delighted with the show. The humor and the send ups of Bway musicals was, to me, a real delight.

The effects blew my mind---could not figure out how they did the scene where the "forest guard" loses his arms, legs, and so on.

I saw the show with the original cast and I felt that David Hyde Pierce just stole the show.

Larry Hochman, the musical arranger, was on my Tabletalk program a while back and demonstrated how the musical numbers get fleshed out from the original idea---and how Mike Nichols really showed him how to do comedy by taking the concept and then blowing it out of all proportion ---or as he said "....if you are going to to the lady of the lake make it the tackiest and glitziest Las Vegas lounge act ever and you will get laughs". How true!

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 04:39 PM

I have to disagree with M.Ted - I felt the show was much more than a re-enactment of the scenes and it was very funny.   The songs were very funny and no one seemed bored when I saw it.

Are the songs going to make you forget West Side Story or Oklahoma
? No. But they stand up on their own - Find Your Grail, the Diva Song, and the songs previously mentioned had everyone laughing and singing along.

Well worth the price of admission - and Broadway is not cheap these days!!!

Ron

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: M.Ted
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 04:53 PM

If you go, you will either like it, or not. At least try to get the half price tickets--you won't be sorry, either way.

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 05:14 PM

There was a time when broadway was the ultimate in american theater. It's been watered down to this. Isn't this a folk music site, or is Monty Python a folk tradition also?

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 05:15 PM

Monty Python is a folk tradition and this is a musical.

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: Peace
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 05:15 PM

As yet, no one has satisfactorily defined folk music. Until then . . . .

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: M.Ted
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 05:40 PM

GUEST--Broadway is still the ultimate in American Theatre--and there are shows now that are as good as anything ever--a bit different, perhaps, but in another way, not so different. As far a tradition, theatrical traditions run deeper than any others--

All that aside, this thread is still important, because we're encouraging Shambles to develop some new interests;-)

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 05:46 PM

... and Spamalot is based on Arthurian legend and folklore, so it is a perfect fit after all!!

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 06:14 PM

Broadway is still the ultimate in American Theatre

Probably thread drift here, but I have to disagree.   Much as I love Bway shows I have to say that besides pricing themselves into the stratosphere they are becoming more and more expense account and tourist attractions.   Which translates into the situation of new serious drama not having any kind of a long run and musicals (Spamalot and Producers are the exceptions) becoming "Disneyfied" spectacles.

That said, I found recently that there are places where one can see "Bway" quality work by professional actors and stage designers for a fraction of the cost.   Local theaters and regional theaters. Just recently I went--had never been there before--to a place called Penguin Rep in my area (Rockland County) and saw 3 great actors in an original play that was as good or better than anything I have seen on Bway in a drama in hears. The stage sets were of world class. Ticket price---65% less than a Bway show---and parking---guess what--free.

I understand that there are many such places around the nation. I believe (from an interviewe we did) that Jeff Daniels first love is a theater (The Purple Rose) that he founded and runs in Michigan.

Bway has, I believe, has abdicated the seat of serious and meaningful theater and given way to the new 42st which is Disneyland East, to the Lloyd Weber special effects spectaculars billed as musicals. We can no longer look down our noses at regional and local theater. Even in NYC I have found the best material to be Off Bway theater (which is also not inexpensive--but you don't have to mortgage the homestead to see it). I suppose for the next topic we should get to parking, tolls, and is it worth it to get a baby sitter for all this.

This is not thread drift---this big wind has caused a sea change.

By the way---Lloyd Weber musicals---I guess Geo. S. Kaufman's line applies---"...they walked out humming the scenery".

Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: M.Ted
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 06:21 PM

And now for something completely different-A Review of Spamalot

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: M.Ted
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 08:09 PM

Regional Theatres are doing wonderful things, no question about it--the same talents that you see on Broadway, more and more, are working in Regional productions--and everyone behind the curtain, from the directors and choreographers up to the playwrights, lyricists and composers, and producers are involved, as well.

Still, setting Disney and Sir Andrew aside, there have and continue to be great things on Broadway--"Wicked" is one of the all time phenomena of the musical theatre--"Urinetown" was a brilliant and bleak social satire with songs you could hum and a message that would keep you up at night, "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" was one of the funniest shows ever(closed on Broadway, but now touring)--"The Drowsy Chaperone" is a poigant character study that masquerades as a send up of old style musical comedies, and, if you want to explore virgin theatrical territory, "Souvenir" was a rather disturbing examination of the career of Florence Foster Jenkins, who was perhaps, the worst successful classical singer in American History--and there is "Grey Gardens" which is a musical based on the documentary about Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis' extremely unusual aunt and cousin--


I have found that it is extremely easy not to go to the Disney shows--as to ticket prices, you can by half price tickets on line now, and, an hour before show time, most shows have lotteries for $20 seats.

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: maire-aine
Date: 16 Oct 06 - 10:27 PM

I'm glad to hear the opinions. I haven't seen it yet, but it's coming to the Fisher Theater in mid-December. I guess I'll plan to see it. Thanks.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 17 Oct 06 - 06:40 PM

Yes---TKTS does serve a great purpose though I do not recall them being 1/2 price. Also, the shows that are up are usually the ones that had trouble selling full price tickets. Which is only proper. As to the "lottery"---I can only say "big deal". That is throwing crumbs to the pigeons ---and you know what that looks like. The producers also discovered another great gimmick---sell $450.00 seats for a section of a hit show. That started with The Producers when they found scalpers were making a fortune.

I still like Bway---but, as I said in my earlier note, you can find quality for a lot more affordable prices in local and regional theater---and even off Bway.

By the way---did anyone here know that the Tonys are limited only to shows that in certain select theaters in a geographical area in the Bway area. Off Bway shows are barred from them. Talk about exclusivity and narrowness.


Bill Hahn

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 17 Oct 06 - 10:28 PM

"Tonys are limited"

So someone needs to start an alternative.... :-)

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: M.Ted
Date: 17 Oct 06 - 11:10 PM

A bunch of things for you, Bill,

First, the best way to get discount tickets is:Broadway Box --it's a community site that gives you the producer's discount codes, which you can use to buy tickets on-line,by phone, or from the theatre box office.

And yes, the Tony's are restricted to shows at "Broadway"theatres, which are a determined by the size of the theatre--The Broadway theatres must have Equity and craft contracts, must pay scale based on the size of the theatre, and must maintain an orchestra of a certain size--

Off-Broadway shows receive Obie Awards--and off-Broadway theatres are smaller and have Equity and craft scales that are lower than the Broadway houses--off Broadway is regarded by many as the real "serious" theater of New York--Then there is Off-Off Broadway, and even shows that are presented in converted apartments--still something for everyone--

Oh, and Broadway Box has shows outside of New York,as well--even London shows!

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 12:48 AM

I was skeptical. I saw the Toronto production. I am a lifelong Python fanatic. I shared some of the concerns that others have expressed, a rehashing by non Pythons. I found the first few scenes were confirming my fears, but I thought it turned into an excellent show. I would see it again.

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 18 Oct 06 - 05:02 PM

M.Ted: Thanks for the information. Certaily interesting--and, yes, many ways to skin a cat. But, still Bway. is quite pricey compared to other places.   Perhaps pricing will be done--or is already--the way the airlines work it.


Bill H

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: The Shambles
Date: 11 Nov 06 - 06:43 AM

How is the London Production going? Has anyone seen this yet?

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: GUEST
Date: 31 May 07 - 07:14 PM

I seen Spamalot in chicago in it's infant stage and there were lots of changes from Chicago to New York. But I stll didn't like it much. Restaging of old skits. I agree. I did like "I'm all alone."
And I thought David HyPeirce struggled but was ok. It changed alot from Chicago to New York. That is always interesting to see

Emmett Lee

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: skipy
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 11:28 AM

It's brilliant, and you don't HAVE to be a python fan to enjoy it, we went a few weeks back with 4 other catters. Front row centre of course, where catters should be!
We will go any sometime.
Skipy

Subject: RE: Anyone seen Spamalot?
From: Joy Bennett
Date: 01 Jun 07 - 11:33 AM

twice! It's great -- the first time David Hyde Pierce and Tim Curry were in it, the second were other actors - it was great both times