Spamalot
at West Potomac High School

Reviewed on May 3, 2014

Talia Brenner
Walt Whitman High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

The word "Camelot" conjures up a heavenly kingdom filled with dashing knights and docile ladies, while "spam" evokes images of mystery meat and unwanted junk mail. But…Spamalot? For those who attended West Potomac High School's recent performance, "Spamalot" now signifies a shamelessly uproarious performance.

Spamalot, a musical "lovingly ripped off" from the classic 1975 comedy film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, opened on Broadway in 2005 to smashing success, and seized that year's Tony for Best Musical. Spamalot is rarely performed on high school stages, but West Potomac boldly conquered the challenging musical and all of its bawdy humor.

At some point in the not-so-aptly-named Middle Ages, King Arthur (Peter Serle) embarks on a divine quest to find the Holy Grail/whale/male. Traditional British legend depicts King Arthur as a pure and illustrious figure, but Serle's Arthur was domineering, blundering, and utterly hilarious. His consistent English accent, impeccable posture, and lovely baritone made Arthur's mishaps and breakdowns all the more hysterical. Of course, every king needs a vassal, and Eddie Perez's comedic prowess brought Arthur's ill-fated squire Patsy to new heights (or maybe depths). Perez's sarcastically chummy "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life," complete with outstanding comedic timing and a tap dance routine, drew boisterous applause from the audience. As the enticing Lady of the Lake, Anjum Choudhury was truly enchanting, especially in "Diva's Lament," a performance reminiscent of Broadway's leading ladies with a stunning cerulean gown to match.

Arthur's haphazard collection of Round Table knights, meanwhile, maintained comic excellence throughout their rambling journey. Among them is Sir Robin (David Jarzen), a not-very-brave knight with an affinity for musical theater, and the overly aggressive Lancelot (Austin Harlow), who has an affinity for handsome men. Quite in line with Robin's theatrical flair, Jarzen masterfully executed a full-blown showbiz shtick, "You Won't Succeed on Broadway [If You Don't Have Any Jews]," including tap-dancing babushkas and a traditional bottle dance performed instead with Holy Grails. Harlow's Lancelot starred in the disco-fabulous "His Name is Lancelot," where, surrounded by male dancers, he rocked a jewel-encrusted jock strap. Ben Roberts, as the self-adoring Sir Galahad, delivered an outstanding vocal and comic performance in "The Song That Goes Like This," but it was Roberts' hysterical off-hand expressions that truly distinguished his character.

West Potomac's performance also boasted an exceptional cast of featured characters, from Not Dead Fred (Nikki Amico), who refused to join a cart of plague victims, to the hostile French Taunter (Max Fillon), who delivered the film-famous line, "I fart in your general direction." Dan Evans deftly portrayed a variety of roles, making the audience squirm as Galahad's repugnant mother and garnering many laughs as a rather misanthropic Scot. Talented female students composed an impressive dance ensemble, whose routines were both humorous and vivacious (thanks to student co-choreographer Kaila Anderson). West Potomac's knack for improv was showcased throughout the production; comedic bits were both gut-bustingly funny and completely in line with Spamalot's Monty Python roots.

In Spamalot, technical elements seem to operate on a bigger-is-better standard; needless to say, student technicians did not disappoint. Katie Kamara's lighting design was effortlessly dramatic and Margaret Gorguissian's props fully met the show's demanding requirements. Student-made costumes included both grime-stained peasant garb and a gorgeous transforming robe-to-wedding dress.

From riveting musical numbers to superb comic delivery, students involved in West Potomac's production demonstrated an unabashed commitment to the ridiculous. Grail or not, West Potomac's Spamalot was a seamless journey.

Lily Habenstreit
Albert Einstein High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

In the time of Medieval England, lower class beggars roamed the streets, the Black Plague deviously claimed the lives of thousands, and royalty galloped through the land…on horses created by the sounds of two coconuts being clacked together? That may not be exactly what happened in Camelot, but West Potomac High School showed that, in the chaotic world of Monty Python's Spamalot, anything is possible!

Spamalot, a spoof of the original British comedy "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," opened on Broadway in 2005. There, it proceeded to run for 1,575 performances, garner fourteen Tony nominations, and win the award for Best Musical. The uproarious parody follows King Arthur and his servant Patsy as they search for knights to join them in their quest to find the Holy Grail. This musical comedy captures the audience with its flashy production numbers, cheery tunes, and ingenious humor that appeals to anyone.

Leading West Potomac's hugely talented cast was Peter Serle in the role of King Arthur, whose presence was enrapturing from his first moment on stage. Serle proved his comedic and vocal skills to be near professional level, aided by a captivating, rich baritone that rang through the theatre and a witty, goofy manner excellently applied to each of his songs. The primary female force of the show was the mysterious Lady of the Lake, portrayed by Anjum Choudhury whose superb vocals shone as she tackled extremely difficult numbers with ease. Her commitment to the exaggerated role was exceptional, and created great comedic moments throughout the show.

The strong leads were supported by the equally excellent ensemble of the Knights of the Round Table. The always-attentive group worked seamlessly in their humorous bits, tap dancing numbers, and flawless five-part harmonies. David Jarzen and Ben Roberts especially stood out as Sirs Robin and Galahad, respectively. They stole the show with their individual performances in songs including, "The Song That Goes Like This" and "You Won't Succeed on Broadway". Another crucial supporting member was Eddie Perez, who played Patsy, King Arthur's servant. Perez's hilarious and well-timed performance left the audience in tears of laughter, and he showed his incredible range through his impressive vocal and dance skills.

The ensemble was the final glue among these terrific performances; its high energy and fun spirit provided a strong foundation for the rest of the show to build on. Student choreographer Kaila Anderson created challenging and intricate dances that the ensemble members executed perfectly.

Magnificent technical elements only added to the extravagant show, and made it nearly professional quality. The never-ending number of set, costume, and prop pieces were all detailed to perfection and reinforced the medieval feeling of the show. Despite some microphone issues, sound team (led by Grace Denton) handled the volume of a large cast well, and the complicated lighting design (Sarah Bowman, Katie Kamara, Joe Slattery) depicted the time and feeling of each scene excellently.

With marvelous vocal talents, forceful comedic performances, and complex technical elements, West Potomac created a brilliant musical comedy through their production of Monty Python's Spamalot.

Charlotte Kuhn
Bishop Ireton High School
Submitted for publication to ShowBizRadio.net

A knight in shining armor, a beautiful maiden, a dangerous quest… and Fisch Schlapping? West Potomac High School's production of "Spamalot" tells a classic tale with a twist of comedy, executed with amazing skill and commitment.

Spamalot, written by Eric Idle, spoofs on the beloved movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Originally opening in 2005, this production ran for four years on Broadway, in addition to touring in various countries. Chock-full of clever and well-timed humor, the show allows the audience to follow King Arthur on his journey to find the Holy Grail, joined by his sidekick Patsy and the Knights of the Round Table. Along the way, they face rude Frenchmen, falling cows, a demonic rabbit, and many other hilarious and unexpected obstacles.

West Potomac's production glittered with vast musical and acting talent, seen throughout the entire cast. Senior Peter Serle dazzled the audience with his strong baritone as the brave, yet entirely aloof, King Arthur. His vocals never faltered and he brought a unique element to the character. By his side was the incredible Anjum Choudhury as the Lady of the Lake, who showcased an unmatched vocal range as she performed songs pulling from an eclectic combination of genres and styles along the way. King Arthur's beloved yet under-appreciated sidekick Patsy was captured by Eddie Perez, whose use of facial expressions and body language added to his already impeccable comic timing.

Supporting King Arthur was his ragtag group of knights, the Knights of the Round Table. Between Lancelot (Austin Harlow) discovering his true sexuality and Robin (David Jarzen) finding his talent for musical theatre, each actor proved to have a deep understanding of their character. Ben Roberts as Galahad and Hunter Harlow as Bedevere rounded out the group, contributing their sparkle and vocal talent. As a group, they had flawless chemistry and left the audience roaring with laughter. The show was sustained by a gifted ensemble, each member taking on multiple roles. Between cheerleaders, dead bodies, minstrels, and French guards, the ensemble pulled off spotless transitions and added a necessary element of whimsy to the show.

A good show becomes a great show with the help of its technical elements, and West Potomac is no exception. As this show was set in a variety of places, curtains were used to display different locations, as well as an impressive rotating castle for interior scenes. The student-made costumes crafted by Lesya Melnychenko and Becky Lehner looked professional and creative, completing the aesthetic of the show and contributing to the characterization of each member of the cast. In addition, projected graphics were presented throughout the production, using pop-culture references to aid the audience in following the complex storyline.

West Potomac's Spamalot was a must-see, with skill in all elements of the production. You don't have to "look on the bright side" to recognize the unparalleled talent found at West Potomac.

Emma Paquette
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Red Apple 21 - FCPS

Gallant King Arthur and his noble Knights of the Round Table have ridden off again on a worthy quest of God: find the Holy Grail. That is, after they've deduced that they probably can't just buy him another one. Although it was very careless of God to misplace such a holy artifact, considering he is all-knowing and everything. Yet indeed! Off they ride, to run away from vulgar Frenchmen, defeat bloodthirsty rabbits, and try to find some Jews…any Jews. This isn't your grandmother's King Arthur. West Potomac brought the phenomenal Spamalot to the stage with great pizzazz and inconceivable aplomb.

Spamalot is a 2005 musical comedy adapted by Eric Idle from the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The basis for its offbeat, twisted Arthurian plot-line is taken directly from the movie, but further Monty Python works are melded in while the script also allows room for improvisation; an opportunity of which the clever actors of West Potomac took full advantage.

The entire ensemble was brimming with ceaseless vitality that seamlessly combined with snappy choreography by Kaila Anderson and flawless execution to cover the stage with hilarious and spectacular numbers from start to finish. The utter devotion to the coarse comedy and episodic structure was unfathomable; every single cast member seized their moments in the spotlight with remarkable vigor.

Leading this formidable production was Peter Serle, whose gravitas and poker-face contrasted with King Arthur's ridiculous lines into a mirthful result. Serle's powerful presence and deep baritone clashed with the absurd situations to synthesize the off-the-wall humor intended from the musical, particularly in his interactions with his Knights. By his side was the Lady of the Lake (Anjum Choudhury) who committed herself entirely to her queen-diva persona with soaring vocals and fearless physicality.

In a show filled with exceptional performers, Arthur's entourage of knights stood out for their fantastic comedic timing and riotous camaraderie. Sir Robin (David Jarzen) embraced his inner Broadway star in the side-splitting "You Won't Succeed on Broadway". Working together with the dedicated ensemble and a host of phenomenal technical elements, Jarzen displayed his equal talents as a comedian, singer, and dancer in this show-stopper, and he maintained his high enthusiasm for every scene to come. He and his fellows of the Round Table, Sir Gallahad (Ben Roberts), Sir Lancelot (Austin Harlow), and Sir Bedevere (Hunter Harlow), along with Serle's Arthur bantered brilliantly to further the improvisational playfulness of the show. Along for the ride was Arthur's page Patsy (Eddie Perez), who leaped to fulfill whatever the challenging part, from leading a marvelous "Always Look On the Bright Side," to providing comedic foil in such songs as "I'm All Alone", and even displaying a mastery of the coconuts.

The already noteworthy performances were fully enhanced by professional quality technical design. The set was impossibly detailed and conveniently versatile, making use of a revolving castle, several hanging backgrounds, and other assorted pieces to achieve an unimaginable variety of locations. Lights also assisted in this regard, while also providing endless amazing effects to enhance the humor of songs, particularly in the aforementioned "You Won't Succeed on Broadway." Props and costumes were also incredible, simultaneously eye-catching and cohesive with professional design and construction. The personalized shields and robes emblazoned with crests for each knight were particularly innovative.

Sizzling with uproarious jokes, dazzling tech, and excelling performers, West Potomac's production of Spamalot was not one to be missed and certainly one to be remembered.

Charlotte Rodger
Bishop Ireton High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - Ft Hunt/Kingstowne

Stunning, hilarious, energetic, and phenomenal are just a few words that come to mind when mentioning West Potomac High School's production of Monty Python's "Spamalot," the musical comedy based on the 1975 Monty Python film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." The show was a hit when opened in 2005 at the Shubert Theatre, with book and music written by Eric Idle and John Du Prez. The original Broadway production won three Tony Awards including Best musical and 14 nominations.

The plot begins with King Arthur (Peter Serle) and his servant Patsy (Eddie Perez), roaming around, trying to recruit Knights of the Round Table that later go on to hunt for the Holy Grail. Serle and Perez engage the audience with their chemistry as a dynamic duo. The pair shows off their vocal talent and energy in "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" and define their relationship in "I'm All Alone." Sir Robin (David Jarzen) showed off his comic and dance moves in "You Won't Succeed On Broadway," while singing about the need for Jews in any Broadway show. Anjum Choudhury (Lady of the Lake)possessed a flawless vibrato and diva disposition she flaunted throughout the show but dazzled especially in the show's vocal peak of the "The Diva's Lament." Characters with less stage time had equally impressive performances: Nikki Amico as Not Dead Fred performed a comical number, "He is not Dead Yet," with enthusiasm and over the top facial expressions.

The dance-heavy production was choreographed by Kaila Anderson and Crew. Each member of the cast executed their every move gracefully with sharp movements, while never losing composure in their facial expressions. The mostly female ensemble played several different roles, enhancing each scene.

Flashy props and costumes added comedic effect to the entire show. Handmade props included sunshine umbrellas used in "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" and fish made for slapping in "Fisch Slapping Song." The costume crew, led by Lesya Melnychenko and Becky Lehner, took on a great challenge for this production. The team sewed, altered, and even made original costume patterns, rounding out to a total of 406 dazzling costume pieces.

Tech was an especially impressive aspect of the show. A colorful set included several different curtains and a rotating set center stage to create different scenes. A big screen TV sat to the right of the stage, with graphics of the Knights' journey to find the Holy Grail, including pop culture references that connected with the audience. Lighting (Sarah Bowman, Katie Kamara, Joe Slattery)included flashing strobe lights and colored lights that were utilized in "His Name is Lancelot". Sound included multiple microphones and microphone changes throughout the run. A few actors' mics were a bit scratchy at times, creating feedback, but seemed to be the only flaw the production held. The student orchestra played their instruments flawlessly throughout the production and were on time with every musical cue.

West Potomac gently reminds us to "always look on the bright side of life" which is not a hard task knowing that high school theatre can be truly incredible.

Ellen Stevens
St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School
Submitted for publication to Insidenova - Sun Gazette

West Potomac's musical comedy, Spamalot, based on in the 1975 film, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" is a musical parody of the Authiran legend. It follows King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table on their quest to find the Holy Grail. When the show first appeared on Broadway in 2005, it received mixed reviews, yet it still was nominated for 14 Tony Awards and won the award for Best Musical and two others.

Arthur (Peter Serle) was a comedic king, taking charge of many humorous moments. His strong vocal baritone made his numbers some of the strongest. His projection was exceptional, and most did not realize when his microphone failed.

Each of the Knights was a strong singer, vocalist, and dancer; each of their numbers was unique. In his number, You Won't Succeed in Broadway, Robin distinguished himself from the other knights with his strong performance. Patsy (Eddie Perez) joined in many of their numbers and was a crowd favorite the entirety of the show.

The female lead, Lady of the Lake (Anjum Choundhary), was a powerful singer with a great vocal range to match her strong stage presence.

The West Potomac Theater Company designed a rotating turntable, with a permanent castle piece, as well as many small moving set pieces and backdrops to creating many different scenes and locations. The show featured a cloud shaped screen to the right of the stage that often displayed projections relevant to the show.

The stage crew, featuring stagehands in black morph suits, did an excellent job of transitioning the stage from scene to scene. Their smooth transitions were funny and quick, enabling the show to continue in a steady rhythm.

The wide selections of props designed and made by Margret Gorguissian were outstanding; her attention to detail on the huge quantity of items brought the show to the next level. The props featured included a ginormous stuffed cow, a giant grail cut out, ten hand painted and sewn fish, Patsy's backpack, and a bedazzled pram. The human scroll used to show different backgrounds as the knights traveled and done beautifully and terribly original.

Lesya Melnychenko the makeup/hair and costume designer with assistant costume and hair/makeup designer, Becky Lehner, worked on all but five different types of pieces used in the show. The costumes were eye catching and enhanced the experience, far surpassing the work of an average high school theater production.

The entire night the student orchestra, West Potomac's Rice and Beans, was on point, bringing the musical numbers to life from behind their own castle to the left of the stage. The conductor participated in the show as well, breaking the fourth wall down with a hilarious pop culture reference to Harry Potter.

Every member of the cast was completely involved in the onstage action, making the show all the more interesting for those watching it. The actors utilized their improvisational skills to make the well known movie turned musical their own, though at some points the references could be a little confusing for those who did not completely understand them, they kept the audience laughing and engaged. From costumes to the set to choreography, to sound, lighting, props, and special effects, students were responsible for Spamalot on stage and off.

Katie Connor
St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School
Submitted for publication to Alexandria Times

What do you do when a mysterious lady in a lake hands you an awesome sword and proclaims you the King of the Britains? Why, go on a quest to find the Holy Grail, of course!

Spamalot is based on the movie Monty Python and Holy Grail and opened on Broadway on March 15, 2005 and won 3 Tonys, including Best Musical. It has also performed nationally and internationally. The title comes from a lyric in the song "Knights of the Round Table": "We eat ham and jam and spam a lot."

All the leads shone in West Potomac's production. Anjum Choudhury was fantastic as the Lady of the Lake. She easily adapted her voice to sing any style, and stole the show in her numbers such as "Diva's Lament" or "The Song That Goes Like This." Peter Serle as King Arthur was a superb lead who carried the show with his strong vocals and comic timing.

The crowning jewel of the production were the Knights of the Round Table. Each actor created a distinct and unique trait and committed to their character. Sir Lancelot (Austin Harlow) and the group brought the house down in the second act with "His Name is Lancelot." Eddie Perez as Patsy did a great job staying in character, and showed off his vocal talent in "Always Look on The Bright Side of Life" (where the whole group participated in an impressive tap dance break). Hunter Harlow as Sir Bedevere showed off an impressive falsetto, and David Jarzen as Sir Robin was great as he led the cast in "You Won't Succeed on Broadway." And Ben Roberts as Sir Gallahad was hilarious in his duet with the Lady of the Lake.

It was also the little things in the production that helped make it great: a parade of stereotypical French characters to represent France, an Avenue Q reference, two actors dressed in a scroll which they rotated to represent different parts of the world where the Knights were traveling. One of the funniest gags in the show was when the cast recreated The Last Supper painting with bagels during the song "You Won't Succeed on Broadway."

As a whole the ensemble never seemed to miss a dance step and always kept the energy up with smiles on their faces. The choreography (by student co-choreographer Kaila Anderson) was stellar and creative, representing a range of styles.

The technical side of things was also excellent. The set design utilized curtains and a rotating circle to change settings. The lighting was clever; in one case, it changed the time of the day in the forest by brightening and darkening a backdrop. The stage crew was on beat and never missed a cue to move a set piece or curtain. The costuming was fantastic; much care and detail was put into costumes for characters that were only onstage for a few minutes. The props were also excellent, particularly the personalized umbrellas in "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life."

All in all, West Potomac's Spamalot was a hilarious production that had the whole audience in stitches. While there were a few issues with diction and volume, they were easily eclipsed by the enthusiasm and talent of the performers onstage.