“Monty Python’s Spamalot”

[rating=5] Way back in the 1970’s, we experienced a humorous group of performers known as Monty Python. An English group of performers who took America by storm, in particular with their rip-roaring film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”. Now, through the magical mind of Eric Idle ( one of the original writers along with fellow Python members Graham Chapman,John Cleese,Terry Gilliam,Terry Jones and Michael Palin), Idle converted this into a Broadway Musical, which began its life here in Chicago ( pre-Broadway) and is now being presented at Drury Lane Theatre Oakbrook, in its first regional theater production, and what a production it is! This is a spoof of the original, wildly funny story retelling the story of King Arthur ( played to perfection by David Kortemeier) and his formation of the Knights of the Round Table and their quest for the Holy Grail. The road he and his followers travel is one paved with hilarity from start to finish as they encounter killer rabbits, flatulent Frenchmen, talking wildlife, chorus lines made up of all types of strange characters and one wild moment after another. It is a stitch and will have you forgetting all your troubles at the door. In fact, the power of laughter is so strong, the audience doesn’t want the show to end. In many theaters, during the curtain calls ( bows) many audience members are off for the doors, to beat the traffic, but not one person was rushing out on opening night and in fact, wouldn’t have minded just a little more fun,

In giving Drury Lane the rights to do this production, the owners of this show proved to have made the perfect choice. Director Willam Ostek has put together a marvelous cast composed of less than two dozen performers ( far less than the other casts I have seen) who are able to take on a multitude of roles and do so with a flourish. Spoof/Farce is successful when the actors “get it” and this cast appears to be having as much fun with the show as we the audience had in watching it come alive. In addition to the highly talented Kortemeier as Arthur, the Lady In The Lake is handled with great skill ( and what a voice) by Gina Milo, Patsy, Arthur’s man servant is deftly handled by Matthew Crowle ( his rendition of “Always Look  on The Bright Side Of Life” will have you wanting to join in),Sean Allan Krill, a local favorite ,as Sir Dennis Galahad ( among others), John Sanders as Sir Lancelot,Bradley Mott ( a very funny man),Nicholas Foster,Richard Strimer, Jackson Evans ( who is as wild as one can get in  all of his roles  and Adam Pelty, who I am sure will get a Jeff Nomination for his show stopping  Sir Robin ( “You Won’t Succeed on Broadway” is a side splitting look at Musical Theater). The entire cast is solid and the ensemble members are key to this being a complete show. The Choreography by Tammy Mader and musical direction by Roberta Duchak complete the picture that Ostek paints in his making this big spectacle fill the more intimate stage of the regional theater in Oakbrook.

The musical numbers fun as well. While “Bright Side” is the most memorable ( and you will go out either humming or whistling this one), there are  numbers that will have you rolling in the aisles. In fact, while many people have asked, “How can one see a show like this more than once?”- I tell them “It was just as much fun for me this time as the first because the cast modifies and changes things and with all the laughter ( I know that the people around me knew I was there) we miss a few lines, so on the second time around, we laugh at what we missed the first time. This is a production that  SHOULD NOT BE MISSED! Period! from the glorious sets (Christopher Ash), lighting ( as close to perfection as I have ever seen on a local stage by Jesse Klug) and costumes from the West End production ( how about that Chicago!) handled by Maggie Floss, you will see the glitz of a major Broadway production in the very intimate setting known as Drury Lane Oakbrook.

“Spamalot” will continue through March 6th with performances as follows:

Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m.,Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.,Fridays at 8:30 p.m.,Saturdays at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Tickets range in price from $31- $45 ( that’s right, these are the correct prices- theater magic at prices fit for an entire family) and if you want to package a lunch or dinner with your ticket , they start at $45.75 to $68. Student tickets are as low as $19 and Seniors as low as $27.

To roder your tickets ( and I suggest you do so right away) call the box office at 630-530-0111, or Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000 or visit www.drurylaneoakbrook.com

Drury Lane is located at 100 Drury Lane in Oakbrook, just North on the Oakbrook Center and has plenty of free parking. Drury Lane has an exciting 2011 season as well so you might want to consider doing the season ticket packages as you always get your seats, have the option of changing performances and save money to boot.