Monty Python’s Spamalot

It definitely started off slow. Years back, I had attempted to watch MP and The Holy Grail but only managed to stand a few minutes of it before shutting it off. I did begin to enjoy the play once it picked up, so I’ll have to give the movie another shot.
It’s funny, in that corny sorta way; needless to say, it won’t appeal to everyone. It’s really not my brand of humor, but there were enough moments to keep me entertained, including their incorporation of an audience member onto the stage. And besides, John O’Hurley is just adorable.
It’s only in The City for a few more weeks, so catch it while you can.
Remember: Always look on the bright side of life.

I’ve never been a big Monty Python fan because I have a hard time understanding what they’re saying. The humor is «different» and when you throw in the British accent and vernacular and cultural nuances, you can be left in the dark wondering what you missed when everyone else is busting out in laughter. It’s like missing a joke, «I didn’t get it. Please, someone explain it to me. What did he say?»
On top of that, I had just consumed an all too large meal prior to the show and was going into a post-​prandial slump, and coupled with sleep deprivation from the night before, I found it challenging to stay awake thru the 2^nd Act and felt my head nodding forward a couple of times, awakening me from my near REM sleep. Then, the self-​talk running thru my head, «Oh, gosh, did the lady next to me see me do that? I missed it again, what did he say?»
So, the show was not lively enough to keep me awake.
But parts of it was entertaining and the costumes were spectacular, especially the ones worn by the «Lady in the Lake» who had such a beautiful singing voice. I liked the Dark Knight who kept an upbeat attitude, much like the song they sang about looking at the good things in life, even as his limbs were being hacked off by King Arthur, limb by limb. He’d go…“That’s OK, it was a scrape, I can still fight”. Or, when Lancelot realized he was gay and joined the knights in their dance, all dressed in bright orange Coca Cobana type outfits. The gays in the audience went wild with that one. They even got an audience member up on stage, which was funny. An enjoyable show, but I’ll have to watch more British PBS shows, gotta train to understand what they’re saying.

This musical is probably not for you if you are not already a Monty Python fan.
I’m talking about the kind of fan who makes random (or not so random) Python and Grail (and Life of Brian) references regularly, despite the disparaging glances from others, followed by the derision of others. The fan who endures this, and has endured it for a lifetime, and still manages to make herself laugh so hard she pees a little… in front of the dismissive others. This is the fan who will love Spamalot.
(Excuse me, I just made myself cry a bit…)
I am a facetious, sarcastic, cynical, distrusting human being at times. I went in with a BIG chip on my shoulder – «there’s NO way this will be any good” – and I left with my faith totally restored, at least for the moment.
It was a glorious show and I hope you treat yourself to the experience. :)))

An absolute blast, and in our top five musicals we’ve ever seen. That said, if you’re not a huge MP fan, or if you fail to see the humor of «The Quest for the Holy Grail» (which means you’re not human), you will NOT enjoy this play.
IF, however, you always look a the brighter side of life, you will absolutely enjoy your experience. Keeping almost off of the major scenes of the movie (with the exception of the Bridge of Death… which would seem to break the play, but it actually works… trust me), the performance does not hesitate to poke fun at anything and everything that’s politically incorrect today (including Ms. California, in a stunning tribute by the former Knights Who Say Ni).
We were lucky enough to score tickets on opening night… and LOVED some of the improvs that dropped O’Hurley to his knees.
I can’t recommend spending an evening at this enough. It will help, however, to know the airspeed velocity of a fully laden swallow BEFORE attending, though.

I lost a few brain cells watching this.
Act 1 was a little slow… that or due to my food coma from dinner.
Act 2 — pace picked up. they slipped in witty and random one-​liners here and there that made it laugh out loud funny!
Put your brain aside and enjoy a two hour mindless and silly musical comedy at the Golden Gate Theater in SF!

Golden Gate theatre was a nice venue despite the outside surrounding. My husband really enjoyed the show while my brother and I though thought it was okay. The show is entertaining to watch and it is funny.

–SLAP STICK HUMOR–
John O’Hurley was the star of this show and he sings and dance so well! This musical was laugh out loud crazy funny! It was a bit slow in the beginning but after I warmed up to the show, I couldn’t stop smiling! The costumes, the songs, the singing, the dancing, the lighting, the stage — everything everything about this show was fantastic! Not only was it a fantastic show, I also won $ 25 lottery ticket seats. I sat 1 aisle away from the $ 99– seats. Woo-​hoooo!

Aside from the fact that you have to step over a dozen homeless with their feces and/​or hypodermics on the short trek from the parking lot (another story coming up on that place), the GG theatre is quite a nice venue to see a play. Be wary though, if your seat is next to the emergency exits, you will require a coat or the arm of a loved one for thermo-​regulation. Some very funny one liners, accompanied with marvelous singing made for a side splitting night. Added bonus, standing behind Eric Idle in the queue to buy a drink at intermission and listen to his mad accent. Go see the show, it’s only here for 7 weeks total, and is sure to be a huge hit. Enjoy.

Spamalot! I can’t even fathom someone NOT liking this musical, even if they are not a fan of musicals… or better yet, not even a fan of Monty Python.
What’s so great about this show:
1. Adapted for SF AND speaks to current events
2. British humor!
3. No need to be familiar with Monty Python to laugh your ass off.
4. The set is visually pleasing – lots of vibrant colors and it’s amazing how much they can do with such a limited amount of space.
5. The «Lady of the Lake» has got some lungs on her! It’s amazing to think how much talent is truly out there – unedited and raw (thank you for ruining it, American Idol).
6. Big cast. There’s bound to be someone you like/​love/​relate to.
7. And if you’re just not that into singing… there’s PLENTY o’ dancing!
8. It’s ~2 hrs, including intermission. It seriously flies by.
9. It’s more interactive than you’d expect from a musical ;)
Basically, you’re a freak if you don’t thoroughly enjoy this musical. Trust.

I liked it allot… and that is good, because I am a huge Monty Python fan… and I was sceptical!
The theater is small… a great venue.
Easy to get from BART… a must for us East Bayers!
I guess I would say… a peppering of good standard MP jokes…“bring out the dead”, «the knights of neep»…you get it. The rest of it was funny, and irreverent.
Very professional and funny cast… John O’Hurley was good as King Author… but the real star was the Lady of the Lake, who later morphed into Guenevere??? I know… you just have to give up on reality… Merle Danedridge… she was funny and had a great set of pipes… WOW!
Sets and costumes were great… although at one point the cast and audience was a bit choked up with all the smoke.
I was swept away… I can not remember when I have laughed so much!