Sunday, July 12, 2009
Spamalot Opens at the Ahmanson Downtown
Opening night of Monty Python’s Spamalot at Center Theatre Group's Ahmanson Theatre was a picture perfect night on the town. Drinks in the courtyard, a quick stop at will call, and we were thrust into the throngs of theatre-goers people watching and snapping photos of celebrities. How can you not enjoy a theatre event where costumed characters wearing inflatable cans of spam and knights carrying signs listing the “rules” greet you and yes, make fun of you, before you ever step into the theatre?
From the top of the show, it was clear that this was going to be an irreverent night filled with laughs. Spamalot pokes fun at itself, and everything in its path…with numerous musical theatre send-ups, Sarah Palin as an audience sing-a-long, Jews on Broadway, flying cows, rabbits that kill, the Laker girls and above all, its own search for the Holy Grail.
The continual stream of in-your-face humor can be a bit overwhelming to the unsuspecting audience member, but die hard Python fans will love it and those that are new to the Monty Python world will find plenty to hook them. For the record, I am a huge Monty Python fan, and I know you can’t take yourself too seriously on a night like this. That’s the fun of it all.
The Ahmanson’s production of Spamalot stars John O’Hurley as King Arthur (upon whose shoulders the quest lies), Merle Dandridge as the Lady of the Lake (Diva with a capital D), Ben Davis as Sir Galahad (a mere head toss away from perfection), Jeff Dumas as Patsy (but is he really), Christopher Sutton as Not Dead Fred (hysterical) and other characters, James Beaman as Sir Robin (whose second act number steals the show), and a cast ably up to the task of delivering the Python comedy and timing. Judging from the audience’s response throughout the night, as well as my own, it was a job well done.
You can check out some great opening night photos on Center Theatre Group's Facebook page too. Whatever you do, don’t miss the glittering mirror ball of a show that is Spamalot, running now through September 6. Tickets are available at www.centertheatregroup.org/.
