Spamalot
at NSU University School

Reviewed on March 4, 2016

Gabi Simon
Coral Glades High School
Submitted for publication to Floridatheateronstage.com

"Broadway is a very special place, filled with very special people, people who can sing and dance, often at the same time!" The same can be said about the wonderful cast and crew of NSU University School's production of Monty Python's "Spamalot."

"Spamalot," a musical comedy with book and lyrics by Eric Idle and music by John Du Prez, Eric Idle, and Neil Innes, premiered on Broadway in 2005 and had a successful run both on Broadway and the West End. "Spamalot" has won three Tony awards, including the award for Best Musical, and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album in 2006. Based on the 1975 film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," "Spamalot" parodies the classic Arthurian tale through a series of eccentric characters and zany songs.

Leading the knights on their journey was King Arthur, played Andrew Singer. Singer demonstrated superb vocal ability in "I'm All Alone" and "The Song That Goes Like This (Reprise)" and expert comedic timing throughout the whole show. Singer embraced the exaggerated mannerisms that one would hope to see in such and over-the-top show. Supporting King Arthur, sometimes literally, was his lovable and goofy sidekick, Patsy, played by Carlo Feliciani. Feliciani gave a consistent performance and maintained Patsy's quirks, such as his goofy grin, from curtain to curtain. There was good chemistry between Singer and Feliciani and one could clearly see the strong relationship between the two characters. Assisting Arthur and his knights on their journey, though mostly behind-the-scenes, was the Lady of the Lake, played by Michelle Langone. Langone won the hearts of cast and audience members alike with her dazzling voice in "Come With Me" and "The Song That Goes Like This." Langone was not fazed by any microphone problems and gave a performance that would put divas, like Britney Spears, to shame. Sir Robin (Avrumie Tornheim) shone in the second act in numbers such as "You Won't Succeed on Broadway" and "His Name is Lancelot." Tornheim displayed exemplary comedic timing and admirable dance technique.

The ensemble as a whole was entertaining and added to the production. The ensemble was a bit out-of-sync at times and there were times that some ensemble members were not involved in the scene. For the most part, the ensemble shone in the big dance numbers such as "Knights of the Round Table" and "You Won't Succeed on Broadway."

Despite some microphone feedback, the technical aspects of the show were flawless. The show ran smoothly due to the stage management and the cues were clearly laid out in their scripts. Choreography by Sophie Septoff matched the pace of the show and worked well for the group of dancers in "Spamalot." Props by Kalani Bankston and Madeleine Smith were well constructed and fit the time period. The makeup design showed a clear distinction between the peasants and royalty and stood out on characters like the Lady of the Lake. Projections by Matthew Goldberg were clean and clever, but lacked originality since most were from the original production.

NSU University School's production of "Spamalot" is filled with wonderful talent both on and off stage. The cast and crew at NSU University School will have you "looking on the bright side of life" after seeing their production of "Spamalot."

Sofie Whitney
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
Submitted for publication to Floridatheateronstage.com

Welcome to Camelot! Take a seat at the round table and don't "Run Away!" until you see NSU University School's hilarious production of Monty Python's "Spamalot".

"Spamalot" is a musical comedy based on the film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail". With music by John Du Prez, Eric Idle, and Neil Innes, and lyrics and book by Eric Idle as well, "Spamalot" opened on Broadway in 2005, and went on to receive three Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The show follows King Arthur and his knights on a great quest to fetch the Holy Grail. As these "Knights of the Round Table" travel the land, they each encounter a few obstacles in their path that make for quite the interesting journey.

NSU University School's production of "Spamalot" captured the true humorous essence of the story. Every actor in the cast seemed to have full understanding of the English humor of Monty Python. The show is full of ensemble driven numbers, and boy did they deliver. The ensemble had endless energy and a skillful group of dancers with never-ending facials.

Andrew Singer, as the fearless and daring King Arthur of Britain exhibited both commendable vocals and unconditional amusing characterization. Singer's comedic timing during interactions with his fellow knights was consistently spot on. The lively and radiant Lady of the Lake was portrayed by Michelle Langone. Langone's angelic vocalization and priceless stage presence made for quite the noteworthy performance. Her dynamic and dazzling rendition of "Diva's Lament" left the audience wanting more.

The supporting cast of the show all possessed coherent and consistent British accents, as well as powerful energy throughout the entirety of the performance. As Patsy, King Arthur's trusty right-hand man, Carlo Feliciani created much of the hilarity of the production. Each time Feliciani took the stage, he did it with animated facials and unbroken characterization. Patsy's chemistry with King Arthur added sincerity to Feliciani's otherwise very nutty role. Avrumie Tornheim, as the not-so brave, yet delightful Sir Robin, had a complete understanding of his character and all the quirks that came with it. In the show-stopping number "You Won't Succeed on Broadway", Tornheim displayed admirable vocals and exemplary dance moves as he paraded across the stage singing about Jews.

Besides numerous microphone issues, the technical aspects of the show ran smoothly. The crew conducted set changes that were quick and seamless. The production was student choreographed by Sophie Septoff, who did a commendable job of creating moves that were both appropriate for each song, and highly entertaining.

"Always Look on the Bright Side of Life", and maybe you will find something half as remarkable as NSU University School's production of "Spamalot".

Dominique Monserrat
Saint Andrew's School
Submitted for publication to Floridatheateronstage.com

A spin off of the classic comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot, the 2005 Tony Award Winner for Best Musical, tells the story of Arthur, "King of the Britains" during the Middle Ages as he assembles the Knights of the Round Table in order to bring chivalry to Britain. Together, Arthur and his knights, along with his trusty companion, Patsy, embark on a God-ordered quest to find the Holy Grail. Along the way, they encounter showgirls, Not Dead Fred, a Prince longing for love, Taunting Frenchmen, the Knights of Ni, and of course, the Lady of the Lake.

The students of NSU University School did a spectacular job putting on a production of Spamalot. A standout performance was Avrumie Tornheim, as Sir Robin. From the moment Tornheim appeared on stage, his comedic timing and extraordinary facial expressions ensured that he commanded the audience's attention. In his big number, "You Won't Succeed on Broadway," he showcased his vocal range and his dancing abilities with mastery.

Several small groups used their time in the spotlight to really make the audience laugh--the French Taunters had one of the most memorable scenes, and Ben Crawford's French accent was comical but understandable, unlike some others. The Knights of Ni also did a fantastic job; their ridiculous antics, such as asking King Arthur to find a shrubbery, were absolutely priceless moments onstage.

In addition, Carlo Feliciani's portrayal of Patsy was impeccable. Feliciani was constantly engaged and involved in the action of the show, and his chemistry with Andrew Singer, as King Arthur, was hilarious. The two bantered back and forth, and their song, "I'm All Alone" was absolutely hysterical. Opposite Singer, as the Lady of the Lake, Michelle Langone shone--her incredible vocals stole the show every time she sang. Her performance was full of the sass of a diva who longed for the spotlight.

The show itself ran relatively smoothly, with only a few minor bumps in the road, which the actors handled gracefully. The crew deserves to be commended for quick set changes, and the actors for their many quick changes. All of the actors also should be recognized for not being fazed by the several sound glitches, which could have been a much bigger disruption to the performance.

Sophie Septoff's choreography was very creative and the ensemble, for the most part, pulled off some difficult numbers, though they could have been more cohesive while dancing, and some vocals were lost due to the intense focus on dancing. The dancing was generally very impressive, though, and complemented the humor of the show. Overall, the students of NSU University School had audience members laughing for the whole show, and were a stellar example of exceptional theatre.

Cristian Tello
Deerfield Beach High School
Submitted for publication to Floridatheateronstage.com

Grab your sword, put on your Crown, and mount your horse as you begin your journey in search of the Holy Grail. As NSU University School's performance of Monty Python's Spamalot will be having you looking for the grail inside of you. With comical wit and musical talent that will leave you in states of constant amazement and laughter.

Spamalot is the theatrical adaptation of Monty Python and the Holy Grail with both the script and lyrics written by Eric Idle. Much like the film it is adapted from, the play is a satire on that of Arthurian lore and legend as it details King Arthur and his knights as they journey in search of the Holy Grail. The musical starts with Arthur in search of knights and then proceeds with their quest into varied lands in search of the grail. This group of comical knights would run into a variety of colorful characters such as the Knights of Ni, Herbert, and the recurring Lady of the Lake. After the discovery of the Holy Grail the performance has an ending that can never be seen coming and is completely unexpected that is instantly hilarious.

This superb performance of Spamalot stood on pillars supported by amazing actors. Michelle Langone, playing the part of the Lady of the Lake, provided her tremendous voice to many key songs. "Divas Lament" really brought out her vocal range and showed the comical nature of her character. Avrumie Tornheim playing the knight Sir Robin provided his amazing tap dancing skills and vocal capability to the hysterical song "You Won't Succeed on Broadway". Another actor that can't go unnoticed is Carlo Feliciani, in the role of Patsy. Even though his character doesn't Speak much, the few lines and songs he has in combination with his facial expressions will make you never take your eyes off of him.

Though the performance was spectacular, there were very minor critiques that could be improved upon. The British accents of the actors were superb; however some characters were a little overbearing, making some dialogue difficult to understand. Also though not every actor had the same vocal ability, they were able to provide good delivery of songs by singing within their vocal ranges.

The technical components of the musical were absolutely stupendous. The lighting of the performance was absolutely spot on with smooth transitions from scene to scene. The sound and microphone usage was superb, though there were occasional mishaps that were quickly attended to by the sound crew. The set pieces were cleverly designed as the knights are travelling through different lands and the idea of having roll-on sets and drop-in backgrounds helped the fluidity of the performance.

NSU University School's performance of Spamalot held at the Silverman Auditorium at the Epstein Center is one that will definitely leave you in constant laughter. With incredible vocals and superb choreography in combination with excellent technical components, your journey for your grail will be one you won't forget.

Alexis Weintraub
Archbishop McCarthy High School
Submitted for publication to Floridatheateronstage.com

Shrubbery, severed limbs, and a metaphorical quest—probably a normal Friday night for King Arthur and his eclectic Knights of the Round Table. Completely immersing its audience in the wacky world of "Spamalot," NSU University School did not disappoint in its production.

"Spamalot," the Broadway adaptation of the film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," won three Tony awards in 2005, including one for Best Musical. The show follows King Arthur as he travels the land, seeking brave men to be part of the Knights of the Round Table. When they receive a quest from God to find the Holy Grail, they take on their task with fervid enthusiasm, facing several challenges along the way. The Knights embarked on a quest to find the Grail, but ended up finding their own "Grails" as well, in this surprising journey of self-discovery.

Energetic from the very beginning, what stood out most in NSU University School's production was the devotion of the all actors and crew members involved. The actors stayed in character throughout the show, no small feat considering the play's chaotic nature. Singing and choreography were well-executed, and scenes flowed smoothly from one to another. These elements made for a show that kept its audience interested in the hilarious misadventures of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.

Despite King Arthur's self-absorbed and boastful nature, Andrew Singer succeeded not only in bringing the character to life, but also in making him lovable, eliciting the audience's sympathy on more than one occasion. With a strong voice and equally strong stage presence, Singer definitely lived up to his name. Michelle Langone brought wit and sass to her character, the Lady of the Lake, through her facial expressions, diction, and body language. Langone also showed noteworthy versatility in her already remarkable singing, seamlessly switching between an almost operatic style to that of a Las Vegas showgirl.

Carlo Feliciani stood out among the supporting roles as Patsy, King Arthur's humble servant. Feliciani was consistent with his portrayal of a sincere, believable character that complemented the other actors at all times. Feliciani's devotion to the role and his appropriate facial expressions and mannerisms captivated the audience and captured their hearts as well. Avrumie Tornheim as Sir Robin did not have much of a chance to showcase his skills in the first act, but the second act more than made up for this with his song "You Won't Succeed on Broadway." Tornheim not only surprised the audience with his singing and stage presence, but also with his dancing. More than a few audience members gasped when he clicked his heels in midair.

Quick thinking by the actors made up for a couple of slight wardrobe malfunctions. There were some microphone issues that were quickly resolved, and costumes were fitting for the theme of the play. The many costume changes were commendable, as they were executed very quickly. Clever use of a projector helped bring the set to life. The stage crew was in costume, which ensured that the very fast scene changes were also seamless.

NSU University School's production of "Spamalot" proves that you can discover who you really are in the most unusual circumstances, and that there will always be someone nearby to help you on your journey.

Alejandra Duque
Cypress Bay High School
Submitted for publication to The Forum

Imagine a show filled with farcical puns, loads of laughter, and "people who can sing and dance... often at the same time!" This could only be NSU University School's hysterical production of Spamalot.

First opening on Broadway in 2005, Spamalot is a musical comedy based on the classic 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The musical takes place in medieval Europe and follows the legendary King Arthur as he recruits a team of the best fit, that might be a stretch, knights and brings them along on his journey to find the sacred Holy Grail. The success of this satirical parody landed the production several major awards including the Tony for Best Musical in 2005.

Leading the quest and search for the Holy Grail was Andrew Singer who played the confident, yet clueless King Arthur. With an excellent command of the stage and his character, Singer gave a wonderful and comedic performance. He committed to his smug persona and was big and over the top, working with the style of the show, throughout his entire performance. Always by Singer's side was Carlo Feliciani who played Patsy, Arthur's loyal, adorable, and coconut clacking sidekick. Although he was not always the most prominent character on stage, Feliciani never failed to be engaged in and reacting to the story. He made his presence known even when it was easy for it to be forgotten. Together, the two generated a great chemistry that made their relationship evident and believable from the beginning of the show, even before they had appeared on stage.

Michelle Langone, who played extreme diva Lady of the Lake, put on a show of her own that, to her satisfaction, wowed the audience and would not be one they would soon forget. Every time Langone found her way to the stage, she established her presence, made herself known, and immersed the audience into never wanting to take their eyes off of her and never wanting to stop hearing her sing; for Langone had a hugely impressive and diverse voice that was not only beautiful, but that she manipulated into a variety of different styles in order the fit the different themes of every song. From her subtle sassy mannerisms to her extraordinary vocals, Langone was not simply the Lady of the Lake, but the lady of the night.

Also commendable was Avrumie Tornheim in the role of Sir Robin. Continuously soiling his pants from fright in the show, the audience had to keep from soiling their pants from the laughter that Tornheim elicited. Being what seemed to be a minor character in the first act, Tornheim had few lines but made every word he did get in count. His comedic timing, facials, and physicality were impeccable and made his ridiculously silly character enjoyable and believable. When the second act rolled around Sir Robin blossomed, and Tornheim got to exhibit his ability to hold his own on stage and further show off his singing and dancing talents. Sir Robin may have been the one who sang about never making it on Broadway, but it was clear he was not speaking about himself.

The creative and technical aspects of Spamalot added to the success of the production. Thanks to the crew: set changes, sound transitions, and lighting ques all ran smoothly making for a fluid and nicely flowing show. An intriguing set, student produced hair and makeup, and wonderful choreography by Sophie Septoff all aided in making Spamalot visually and aesthetically pleasing. Even though at times the choreography seemed to absorb the ensembles focus, resulting in a drop of energy, all the other hilarious aspects of the show allowed the production to prevail.

The cast of Spamalot told us to "always look on the bright side of life." And with a show as engaging and entertaining as this one, that was not a difficult thing to do, especially not when in comparison to the challenge of finding the Holy Grail.