The Manatee Players closes its season with a bright, funny and tuneful production of “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” which offers an engaging combination of intelligence and silliness.
Michael Bajjaly as King Arthur and Mike Nolan as his assistant Patsy in the musical "Monty Python's Spamalot" at the Manatee Players. Photo Provided by Manatee Players
This Tony-winning musical, staged with spirit and cleverness by Kathy Pingel, is adapted from the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” by Eric Idle and John Du Prez. It delights in wordplay, misunderstandings and sight gags as it tells of King Arthur’s efforts to find knights for his Round Table and then the Holy Grail.
It’s no easy task. The Arthur played with delightful exasperation by Michael Bajjaly is the Rodney Dangerfield of royalty. He gets no respect from his subjects who question how he was “elected,” challenge his story about how he assumed the throne with help from the Lady of the Lake and the sword Excalibur and wonder why he pretends to ride a horse (with cocoanut shells providing clip-clop sounds).
Arthur gets lost in deep woods, is attacked by a dark knight and then taunted by French soldiers.
But being a musical comedy that celebrates the traditions of Broadway, all will end happily and with a lot of laughs and a few surprises along the way.
From left, Mike Nolan, Michael Bajjaly, Jason Moore, Tristan Martin, Dave Cowner and William E. Masuck in a scene from "Monty Python's Spamalot" at the Manatee Players. Denny Miller Photo/Provided by Manatee Players
Pingel sets clear parameters for her cast and then gives them room to play in Becky Evans’ attractive period costumes and on Mark Lalosh’s gorgeous set. It features rich forests, flying clouds, sturdy stone towers and some impressive animated projections that bring the Monty Python spirit to life. The stage is nicely lit for different moods by Mike Wood.
Bajjaly is wonderfully assisted by Mike Nolan as Arthur’s overworked and underappreciated aide Patsy, who despite his burdens puts a smile on the king’s face with the lilting “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” a familiar song from the Monty Python film “Life of Brian” that becomes a sing-along.
As the diva-like Lady of the Lake, who hates when attention turns from her, Michelle Anaya is graceful, fierce and elegant with a powerful belt, though she’s less assured on the highest and most lyrical passages.
Michelle Anaya plays the Lady of the Lake in "Monty Python's Spamalot" at the Manatee Players. Denny Miller Photo/Provided by Manatee Players
The rest of the cast stays busy and stirs laughs by constantly changing costumes, genders, accents and attitudes. William E. Masuck is the preening Sir Lancelot, but also a funny French Taunter, a Knight of Ni and an awkward disco dancer. Brian Craft is first seen as a stuffy and often misunderstood historian, but he also leaps for joy as a very much alive Not Dead Fred, a minstrel singing of painful deaths, and the light-as-air Prince Herbert who looks like he could take flight when help arrives to save him.
Tristan Martin is dashing, strong-voiced (and not always wise) Sir Dennis Galahad, a reluctant knight who is easily confused. Dave Downer is the not-quite-so brave Sir Robin, who gives Arthur advice on producing a Broadway musical, and Jason Moore has fun with several gender-switching roles.
The new Knights of the Roundtable get excited by a visit to Camelot in "Monty Python's Spamalot" at the Manatee Players. Denny Miller Photo/Provided by Manatee Players
Vanessa Russo creates spirited choreography that elicits memories of past shows and turns a Hora into a tap routine, while Rick Bogner leads a band that provides sturdy musical support and has its own surprises to offer.
It’s all played tongue-in-cheek with an emphasis on fun. It’s a delightful way to end the season.
THEATER REVIEW
MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT
Book and lyrics by Eric Idle, music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle. Directed by Kathy Pingel. Reviewed April 30, Manatee Players, Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 3rd Ave., West, Bradenton. Through May 17. Tickets are $27-$37; $15-$18 for teachers and $13-$16 for students. For more information; 748-5875; manateeperformingartscenter.com
