Stage Review: Millennial’s ‘Spamalot’ Splits Seams

By J.E. Ballantyne Jr.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” “a musical lovingly ripped off from the motion picture “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” is a hoot and a holler. Presented by The Millennial Theatre Company at The Youngstown Playhouse, it is difficult to even know where to start on the opening night performance.

This is a show that you have to keep up with since it moves so fast and spoofs so many other shows, that you can be left in the dust if you don’t pay attention.

Right from the start when the Historian (Andy Scott) sets the stage for medieval England and the curtain opens to Scandinavian villagers singing the “Fisch Schlapping Song,” you know it will be an irreverent evening brimming with hilarity. The loose plot follows King Arthur and his quest to find the Holy Grail.

Nate Beagle plays Arthur and is up for every challenge the role brings. It is a huge role with Beagle on stage for almost every scene. His English accent may be a little stilted but that is alright, it fits right in with the zaniness of the character. Beagle’s comedy timing and bits of business make him the focal point for the entire evening. I thought I had seen him at his best in a previous production – I was wrong – he is even better here.

Musically he is in top form with “King Arthur’s Song,” “Find Your Grail,” and “I’m All Alone.” But it is the little things he brings to the character that make him a joy to watch. Playing second fiddle to Arthur is Patsy, his servant, played by Ty Hanes. A sort of Don Quixote/Sancho relationship between the two pays homage to “Man of LaMancha” but in a much more over done and hilarious way. Hanes plays the perfect foil for Arthur but plays his hand well without upstaging Beagle.

Brandy Johanntges brings flash and flair to her character of the Lady of the Lake. Johanntges is always a scene stealer whether she tries to be or not. This role is no exception. With her strong belting voice, she makes memorable moments out of lesser known tunes like “Come With Me” but really nails stronger numbers like “Song That Goes Like This” and “What Ever Happened to My Part?”

Apart from the musicality of the role, Johanntges is always a strong force in either comedy or drama. She makes the most of her comedic moments in this craziness from beginning to end.

Other notables were Ryan Lamb presenting a dashing and changeable Sir Lancelot. Lancelot pops in and out but doesn’t really get his teeth into anything until “His Name Is Lancelot” in Act II. Lamb is energetic and likeable as the renowned knight made famous in the musical “Camelot.”

Tom Kijauskas gives a rip-roaring portrayal of Not Dead Fred in the musical number “Not Dead Yet.” Happening early in the show, it is actually one of the strongest numbers in the entire show. His physical humor adds greatly to the success of the scene.

The entire cast excels with talent. Memorable performances were turned in by George Maillis (Sir Galahad), Edward Bazzell (Sir Robin), Ben Doss (Sir Bedivere) along with a strong ensemble and dancers. “The Bright Side of Life” gave them an opportunity to shine even more.

As I mentioned earlier, the laughs just keep on comin’ in this fun packed production. There are showgirls, a killer rabbit and several well done effects that add to the adventure. If you are a fan of Monty Python, you will be right at home with the silliness but if not, don’t worry, the show can stand on its own without familarity to the source material. “The Bright Side of Life” is, perhaps, the best known musical number from the show. But the rest are upbeat, fun, and will have you chuckling from beginning to end.

Director Joe Asente and Musical Director Cari Auth have put a Broadway caliber show together on the Playhouse stage once again. The Millennial continually keeps topping themselves from one production to the next. Set Design by Asente is perhaps the best they have done yet. From a dark foreboding forest to a Las Vegas like Camelot, Asente has used every inch of the stage and has created a first-class Broadway look in the process complete with glitzy drops to chase lights.

Choreographer Danielle Mentzer created intricate routines, which look easy in the hands of this talented group. A re-creation of The Bottle Dance from “Fiddler On the Roof” is very well done and comes along quite unexpectedly.

Mentzer’s choreography adds excitement and flash to the whole production. Daniel Chiaberta and Ty Hanes’s costume designs are exquisite and add color and a period look to the piece. In addition, the sheer number of costumes was staggering for a cast this size.

“Spamalot” is a send up of a lot of Broadway shows, from Les Miz, Camelot, Funny Girl, Fiddler On the Roof, and others along with jabbing some fun at the Jewish influence in the entertainment business. It is irreverent, funny, crazy, and totally outlandish in many ways. But it is solid entertainment and a great way to forget what all is going on in our world for a short couple of hours.

Spamalot continues July 27, Aug. 2, 3 at 7:30 p.m. July 28, Aug. 4 at 2:30 p.m.

Pictured at top: Nate Beagle and Brandy Johanntges appear in Millennial Theatre Company’s production of “Spamalot.”

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