Limelight Theatre Hosts Tony Award Winning Musical: Spamalot

By Courtney Hoston | gargoyle@flagler.edu

St. Augustine’s Limelight Theatre opened its 22nd season on Sept. 12th by hosting the 2005 “Best Musical” Tony Award Winning Broadway musical, Monty Python’s Spamalot.

The Limelight is the first of Florida’s community theaters to play host to the award winning musical.

Spamalot is based on the British television show, Monty Python and the 1975 film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail starring Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Erica Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin that aired from 1969-74, Spamalot allows audiences to re-experience some of the most popular sketches from the original show.

The story takes place in Medieval England 932 A.D. and tells the story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table on their quest to find the Holy Grail. The comedic nature of the play makes a mockery of King Arthur, the knights, the Holy Grail and Broadway musicals in a fashion similar to the original Monty Python. Despite being set in England of the Middle Ages, Spamalot made plenty of comedic references to modern Pop Culture, including references to Miley Cyrus, Las Vegas showgirls and the continued controversy of same-sex marriage.

Directed by Gary Caldwallader, the Limelight’s production features a cast talented in acting, singing and dancing. Members of the cast dazzled the audience with impressive vocal performance of Eric Idle’s lyrics as well as the performance of Cynthia Cruz’s choreography.

Dave Alan Thomas expertly plays King Arthur, the main character, in his return to the Limelight. Thomas’ ability to successfully belt out songs such as “I’m All Alone” adds power and authority to King Arthur’s presence while providing the comedic atmosphere for the play.

Other stand out performances include, the Lady of the Lake played by Flagler College Alumna, Kristin Pidcock. While donning shimmering costumes in each scene, Pidcock dazzled the audience with her expert vocals in solos and duets including her feature solo “The Diva’s Lament (Whatever Happened to My Part).” According to “See the Light,” the Limelight theatre’s playbill, other Flagler College Alumni with appearances include Maria Helfrich and Mandy Marconi, both in the ensemble.

Eric Idle, Spamalot lyricist, seamlessly breaks the fourth wall through satirical lyrics hinting at the characters being involved in a Broadway musical with songs such as “You Won’t Succeed on Broadway” and “Twice in Every Show.”

In the style of Monty Python, the cast integrated the audience into the musical by expertly breaking the fourth wall. Members of the audience were able to interact with members of the cast and make short appearances on stage. The cast also performed a grand finale selection, “Always Look on the Bright Side,” that served as an audience sing-a-long.

Spamalot runs through Oct. 13. Tickets can be purchased for $10 at www.Limelight-Theatre.org.