Theater Review: Monty Python's Spamalot

Based on "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," the spoof, "Monty Python's Spamalot," continues in Indianapolis through June 29 (Click here for show times and tickets) at the Athenaeum, 407 E. Michigan St.

Apparently, according to those who read this column, there is something sorely lacking in my life having never seen any Monty Python film or Spamalot.  Well, that has changed now.

The review of the BobDirex production was a must for me ~ even without the insistence of hecklers on FB and Twitter. Simply because of the lineup and knowing Kenny Shepard is choreographing the comedy of blunders. The cast list is a who's who of Indy theater favorites: Charles Goad, Paul Hansen, Claire Wilcher, Sally Scharbrough, Dave Ruark, Danny Kingston and Pete Scharbrough.

New to me (but worth keeping track of) is Ben Asaykwee of Cabaret Poe at Q Artistry.

The cast, as a whole, is so enjoyable you feel as if you, the audience, is in on some fabulous practical joke and for a couple of hours are immersed in hilarity times 10 ~ at a silly, sophomore level. It is fun and portrayed with the professionalism one expects from this level of talent to produce.
Each pairing ~ Goad/Hansen, Wicher/Goad, Asaykwee/Kingston, et al ~ plays out with supreme rhythm and without missing a beat, no matter what the circumstances. There is no need to highlight only or or two actors, as is usual, when the entire cast shines.

Bottom Line: Spamalot is easily going to rank in the "Must See" lists of everyone and I won't be surprised to see an encore production required.

Images: Zack Rosing

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living, travel columnist, freelance writer and photographer, and performing arts and restaurant critic for Gotta Go. Read Infused, her spirits, wine & beer lifestyle column, at www.GottaGo.us and www.FoodDigital.com and catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published on www.Gottago.us, www.BroadwayWorld.com, and in print. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Actors Theatre of Indiana: Chicago the Musical

Actors Theatre of Indiana has opened Chicago the Musical, in its new home at The Studio Theater, The Center for the Performing Arts, Carmel.
The 1997 Tony Award-winning production, which runs through May 22, is always popular and well suited to a large or small stage. Directed by Judy Fitzgerald, this version has the musical quartet to the side of the stage but still involved with the show.

Readers of Gotta Go will be pleased to find familiar names in this show, including Beef And Boards regulars, such as Destination Actor J. Vessels (Smoke on the Mountain) portraying Mary Sunshine, Paul Hansen (Spelling Bee) as Amos Hart, Kenny Shepard (Wizard of Oz), and Sally Scharbrough (Hairspray).

Paul Hansen as Amos Hart

Holly Stults portrays murderess Velma Kelly with a solid vocal and dance performance, while Cynthia Collins turns in an equally solid Roxie Hart. Kelly and Hart want to be stars in the worst way possible, and are willing to murder anyone who gets in their way. When their crimes land them in prison, they opt for Razzle Dazzle lawyer, Billy Flynn, portrayed by Bradley Reynolds.

The entire cast blends well and there is obvious enjoyment by all as they work All That Jazz. Stepping into this week's Gotta Go spotlight is Paul Hansen as Amos Hart, Roxie's pathetically optimistic husband. Hansen's Mr. Cellophane is the perfect combination of dejection and acceptance at his lot in life. Throughout the show his character sublimely continues to hope that Roxie isn't the conniving self-absorbed wrench she actually is and is still his blushing bride.

The spotlight also shines brightly on Reynolds, Collins, Vessels and company in the delightfully twisted We Both Reached for the Gun. Admitting he is the puppet master, Flynn explains to Roxie how she needs to simply say whatever he tells her and the newspaper reporters will mimic the sentiments. The acknowledgment of his powers of influence are demonstrated perfectly in this favorite song and dance number.

A special note regarding Scharbrough who plays Murderess Annie. I have followed her career over the past four years and believe she has now evolved from the innocent characters and is ready to handle a vixen or tough role, perhaps even Chicago's Velma Kelly. It's wonderful to see her develop her abilities and look forward to seeing her handle stronger roles in the future.

Bottom Line: ATI's Chicago blends strong choreography, vocals and seasoned performers for the first show in its new home.

Photos: Julie Curry Photography

 Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, music, restaurant and performing arts critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC and follow her on Twitter @ejmusgrave1 and Facebook or email her at elizabeth@gottago.us.
Gotta Go is published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

Beef and Boards: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

The stress behind a championship ball game with millions of dollars on the line people understand. But the stress behind a childhood rite of passage such as a spelling bee?

Beef and Boards' Dinner Theatre, 9301 N. Michigan Rd., opens its 2011 season with the Tony-Award-winning hit The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Bee does more than teach you how to spell superfluous words. It shares the stress-related issues which occur behind any competition, even those which occur before braces are removed.

Add in the angst of maturing bodies, puppy love, emotionally and physically absent parents, and, well, you get the picture. There is a tender age when parental approval is intermixed with the desire to be liked by one's peers and separate from the family identity to create your own. It occurs approximately the same time as the shedding of childhood security blankets and noticing the opposite sex.

All of this is addressed within the scope of the county spelling bee where six overachievers attempt to prove themselves as more than their school's word geek. Students include B&B veterans Jayson Elliott (SOTM), Sarah Hund (SOTM), Tiana Checchia (Peter Pan), Dominic Sheahan-Stahl (Footloose). Kiyo Takami and Seth Tucker make their debuts.

Although the title would make this seem a family friendly show, I recommend leaving the under-13 aged at home unless you want to explain the meaning of an erection.

Sarah Hund

Hund, who is incapable of turning in a less-than-flawless performance, portrays her character (Logainne) with an added ounce of zest, standing out as the caricature stereotype of the perfectionist.

Calling four audience members on stage creates an opportunity for the performers to shine, challenged by the unexpected from the non-pro participation. They are weeded out one at a time, between singing, dancing and spelling by the cast. I was one of the selected. I am not exactly sure how my name got put on the list, but have narrowed it down to two possible culprits. At first, I declined feeling my role as a critic would be compromised. Then it occurred to me this would be an opportunity afforded few critics: a chance to see the talent up close. So, I acquiesced and joined the cast on stage.

Licia Watson and Paul Hansen

This bird's eye view was helpful as I was able to judge interactively. Although I could never claim to be more than a dilettante, one other audience member could barely be separated from the pros. Dustin, a high school student, actor and former spelling bee participant, provides the most chance for Paul Hansen as Vice Principal Panch to show his ad libbing abilities when he has to pull out a dictionary and find an extra-hard word to finally get Dustin off the stage.

I found that a guilty pleasure after being reprimanded by Hansen's Panch at my table when I didn't understand immediately that I was on his clipboard's list of names. His stern look and no nonsense, "You are due on stage, young lady," reminds me of a certain principal back in school. Yep, I'm still getting "the look."

Jayson Elliott

Although all turned in f-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c performances, the Gotta Go spotlight shines brightest on a particular body part. No, not that one...

The Foot.

Elliott's character, William Barfee, is the uptight, shirt-untucked, obnoxious know-it-all, who needs the win to prove to himself that he is as brilliant as he proclaims. As with many competitors, Barfee has a 'trick' to help him win. Some write on their arm, or wear a superhero costume, William spells out the word on the floor using his lucky foot. Never missing a beat, Elliott corrects any, and all, who mispronounce his name, even while walking away or seemingly busy with something else. Stroke after stroke, with that lucky foot, Barfee eliminates his opponents, one by one. Until Olive Ostrovsky.

Tiana Checchia

Olive is portrayed by Checchia with a vulnerability, sweetness and virginal innocence that everything can be made right with words, that all the world would be a rosy place if only everyone would befriend their dictionary.

The pairing of Checchia and Elliott may well be the best match I have seen at B&B. Her sweetness gently slips under Barfee's obnoxious skin opening his vulnerable side, allowing that something, or someone, is more or at least as important as winning. His hesitant look toward her before stepping up to spell his last word demonstrates the talent which makes Elliott a favorite of the Indianapolis audience and this critic.

Bottom Line: Beef and Boards' Bee gives Jayson Elliott a chance to share yet one more aspect of his multifaceted talent with Indianapolis audiences.

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer and theater critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC and follow her on Twitter @ejmusgrave1 and Facebook.

Gotta Go is published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, West Side Community News, New Palestine Reporter, West Indianapolis Community News, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.