Just came back from seeing “Spamalot” in previews. What a wonderfully loopy time THAT was.
Although obviously beholden to “Holy Grail,” only a few sequences are basically word for word. The rest wanders astray into side sequences and songs–some relevant, some spectacularly not–that both send up Broadway cliches while simultaneously adhering to them.
Tim Curry looks like he’s having entirely too much fun, Hank Azaria is hilarious as Lancelot (never realized how much he looks like John Cleese; it’s the chin, I guess), and David Hyde-Pierce not only out-does Idle’s Sir Robin, but he’s easily got the best song in the show: A second act show stopper about how, if you’re going to succeed on Broadway, you need Jews in your show (it’s a nice companion piece to “The Producer’s” song about gays…not that gays go untrounced in “Spamalot.”)
Bottom line, it’s a shamelessly mercenary endeavor exploiting the Python legacy, and no one, including myself, had the slightest problem with that.
We hung out afterwards and the three leads came out and signed autographs. I got them to sign the interior of my giant killer rabbit’s mouth. Curry hesitated slightly and, divining his suspicions, I said, “I swear to you, I won’t close the mouth on your hand.” He trusted me and I restrained myself (which is nice since usually people have to be called in to apply restraints on me.)
PAD
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Sounds like a spectacular show. I wish I had a chance of seeing it in the foreseeable future.
I have no idea what ‘Spamalot’ is, but it sounds cool as hëll. Killer cast, to be sure, judging by the 3 names mentioned here.
Man, I would have loved to see Spamalot. I’m forty miles from Chicago! I blew all my money on tickets to see Nobuo Uematsu instead.
Way to get Tim Curry’s autograph, though! I’m deeply jealous. Go revel in the perks of being famous. 😛
I’ve seen Spamalot twice in New York already, but I didn’t get any autographs. I did enjoy it tremendously both times.
1 For folks who aren’t aware, “Spamalot” is a new Broadway musical written by Python’s Eric Idle and directed by Mike (“M.A.S.H.”) Nichols. It’s loosely based on “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” in the same way as “The Producers” is based on the original film.
I’ve deeply hoping that there’s either an extended engagement or it’ll appear in the Summer or Fall in Philadelphia! I’ve heard great things about it and Peter’s review only makes me want to see it all the more!!!
I saw Spamalot opening night of previews on Valentines Day and had a fantastic time! Glad you enjoyed it too! I really wish I had been sitting in certain front row seat though… 😉
When Spamalot opened here, I was walking out of Borders one day, and did a triple take as I walked past Eric Idle. I stood out on the sidewalk on the phone with a friend and said, “Well, if you wanted to say anything to Eric Idle he’s here at Borders.” Which isn’t extremely cool of me, but it’s not often you see one of your heroes. I didn’t end up saying anything to him, because I had a weird experience once with a guy who claimed he wasn’t Dicky Smothers, but very obviously was to my ten year old eyes. So, unless I’m at a con, I tend to leave celebrities on the street well alone.
“Here” being Chicago. duh. sorry.
Ummm, Dave S. Nichols didn’t direct MASH, Robert Altman did. Nichols directed THE GRADUATE.
Glad to hear that you enjoyed the show PAD. I’ve got tickets for Saturday of Easter weekend and I can’t wait!
I blew all my money on tickets to see Nobuo Uematsu instead.
*sigh* I want to see that, but knowing my luck, he’ll never come to Denver.
This is just a little hunch (back at the office)
but I’m guessing the reason David S. thought Mike Nichols directed M*A*S*H
was that he did, in fact, direct “Catch 22”.
It was, of course, Nichols former comedy partner Elaine May who directed and co-starred in the Walter matthau film based on Jack Ritchie’s short story “A New Leaf.”
I’m not Ðìçk Smothers either. Really.
As a big fan of the great Neil Innes, I understand that the program book for SPAMALOT does extent thanks to Neil. For those who don’t know, Neil played the minstrel who sang the song “Brave Sir Robin” and wrote the songs for THE RUTLES as well as being a member of The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band.
Odds are I won’t be getting to New York to catch the show. But I would love to hear the songs. Is there a cast recording available or has anyone heard of one coming out?
I saw it the night after Valentine’s Day, and I loved it! They were already taking pre-orders for the soundtrack, so it will be out soon.
OOPS! Sorry about that, folks. I made a mistake regarding Nichols directing “M.A.S.H.” It WAS “The Graduate” that he directed. He was also part of the legendary comedy team of Nichols & May.
Does anyone know if there are going to be tour dates for “Spamalot” or is it too early to tell at this point?
Ordered tickets the day it was announced. Can’t wait to see it.
I was at the same show, (one row in front of Peter no less). Totally hillarity all around. Easily the most fun I have ever had at a Broadway show. Truly scary that the audience knows the material just as much as the performers. Added immensely to the experience. If you can get tickets, go see it!!!
we also saw it last week.
A great hoot and a half.
I loved many of the new songs in the back half of the play.
BTW, is the guy in seat A101 different every night or a plant?
Saw it in previews in Chicago, where Arthur was tasked with going to Broadway in Chicago (the organization that promotes shows ’round here).
It was a lot of fun, but it’s no Producers (at least no Producers with Lane and Broderick, which I also caught in Chi-town — Ruck and Kind, it probably beats).
I hear they cut a couple songs: “Burn Her” and “The Cow Song” which featured additional characters by the same actress who plays The Lady of the Lake — those were a couple of my faves, but it did kill the flow of the show.
As a Python addict from way back, I’ve nearly memorized the original script, and I was sorry to see some classic scenes missing: the bridgekeeper, the second assault on the French, the three-headed giant, and of course the Castle Anthrax (A spanking! A spanking! And after the spankings…)
But it’s certainly a wonderful confection, great voices and good to see the Pythons in the spotlight again. But $80 and up? Too much. On the other hand, I wouldn’t want to wait for the second-string cast.
If this ever comes out on soundtrack for the show, I’ll be one of the first people in line! PAD! You’re so lucky to live in New York and get to see these productions LIVE!
My favourite Holy Grail moment: The French soldier mocking King Arthur.
A close second: The “muck-raking” peasants talking about democracy (“Help! I’m being opressed!”).
this here’s one of my fav. bits from Holy Grail (right after the “silly place” line, actually)
GOD: Arthur! Arthur, King of the Britons! Oh, don’t grovel! If
there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s people groveling.
ARTHUR: Sorry–
GOD: And don’t apologize. Every time I try to talk to someone
it’s “sorry this” and “forgive me that” and “I’m not worthy”. What
are you doing now!?
ARTHUR: I’m averting my eyes, oh Lord.
GOD: Well, don’t. It’s like those miserable Psalms — they’re so
depressing. Now knock it off!
ARTHUR: Yes, Lord.
GOD: Right!
if I was there, I would have had no shame whatsoever and asked Hank Azaria to do his Charles Bronson/Wiseguy voice from “The Simpsons”.
“Eh, ma. How bout some milk and cookies?”
“No dice”
“This ain’t ovah.”
f-ing genius.
Regarding soundtracks:
In the previews in Chicago, Eric Idle was supposedly selling an early, acoustic, solo version of the soundtrack at the Shopalot store they set up next to the theater.
When I saw it, it wasn’t there.
Let’s see what I can google:
Amazon is listing the original cast recording as due in May.
hrrm… the Daily Llama (Python news site) says that it likely won’t be released until after the official cast recording.
I know I am in the minority, but I am against this. The original Monty Python was THE best. Anything else-I feel–cheapens what has come before.
BID: I am looking for a story by PAD that has Calvin hiring a hero to stand against “the bully”. Can any one help me?
Sure, I remember that. It was an X-Factor short story. The hero was Guido. So it was probably in one of the X-Factor annuals.
PAD
I found it–Thanks!!!
Posted by Tom Pearce at February 20, 2005 09:38 PM
For the longest time, I thought I had “outgrown” movies like the ones described above. And then, I discovered Jackie Chan’s movies and how much fun they were. I even enjoy(ed) the Jackie Chan Adventures with my kids on Kids WB on Saturday mornings.
Italian-born (now a US citizen) Terence Hill’s films are much in the same vein as Chan’s (though often somewhat cruder in attitude and humour and rather more broadly written) — particulary similar to Chan’s type of thing is Crimebusters (US title — it has a lot of other titles) in which he and long-time sidekick/foil “Bud Spencer” play Miami cops, with a final fight featuring H&S vs. All The Gangsters In The World in a bowling alley. Hill’s moves with the broom alone make the film worth watching for stunt/action choreography afficianados. Also, Hill produced and starred in a teevee series based on the Lucky Luke comic, and starred with Henry Fonda in a mildly bizarre Italian Western not-officially-directed by Sergio Leone called My Name is Nobody.
Posted by Dan Lorenzen at February 21, 2005 03:35 AM
Boy I would like to see that movie. I have nothing but respect for the woman who venture into the movie stunt world.
Another stuntwoman of note is Kitty O’Neil who, i think, doubled Sally Field in Smokey and the Bandit and holds the women’s land-speed record, who became deaf in childhood after being sick (measles, i seem to recall?). Stockard Channing played her in a teevee biopic called Silent Victory. And, of course, there’s Sally Fields’ half-sister, Princess Mahoney…
One thing that I always found insulting was how often that Hollywood would use male stuntmen to do the stunt of the female actress.
Diana Rigg’s double in many of the action scenes (skating and skiing) in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service was male.
I know there’s more instances that I’m leaving out (anyone got other examples?)
Esther Williams’ diving double?
And, of course, Halle Berry’s stunt double in much of Catwoman?
(Which puts me in mind of Peter’s old “BID” column about a fan costumed as Catwoman being asked, at DC’s request, to leave a convention…)
But, then, there’s Pat Tallman, who works both as a stunt performer (probably one of the few stuntwomen nearly tall enough to convincingly double Geena Davis in The Long Kiss Goodnight and in front, from Romero’s Knightriders down to (at least) B5.
Posted by David S. at February 23, 2005 10:26 AM
Mike (“M.A.S.H.”) Nichols?
Perhaps you mean Catch-22?
{But how cool is this little bit of trivia — looking up Nichols on IMDB, i find that he was a layout artist on the Magic School Bus series.}
PAD, you didn’t happen to be interviewed by a news crew, proclaiming “We ride…to Spamalot!” did you?