Monty Python's Spamalot is the most entertaining excuse for entertainment since Hairspray. Director Mike Nichols has taken Eric Idle and John Du Prez's medieval spoof about Arthur and his boys, and, with the aid of the funniest, most ridiculous choreography in town by Casey Nicholaw, a brilliant set, absurd (and glamorous) costumes by Tim Hatley, and has put together a musical extravaganza as foolish and funny as The Producers.
With meticulous lighting by Hugh Vanstone, projections by Elaine J. McCarthy and special special effects by Gregory Meeh, a super cast led by Tim Curry (who can still sing and fill the stage with his presence) and a sure nominee this year for best woman performer in a musical, Sara Ramirez. She steals every moment she's on stage as The Lady of the Lake with her beautiful voice, sensual, feral presence and figure, comic timing and intonation, and the feminine beauty she projects.
Boy! Can that Nichols put together a show! With David Hyde Pierce and Hank Azaria, Michael McGrath, the hilarious Christian Borle, Steve Rosen and Christopher Sieber aiding and abetting the ridiculousness, and Las Vegas high-steppin' chorus girls at any excuse, this is a show to see if you want to spend a couple hours laughing - at the lyrics, the clowning, the absurd plot sketches, many with really dumb English humor, all aspects of the show. They mock everything, including the songs they are singing. Not once does Spamalot sink into reality; it's just very funny entertainment, perfectly done.
