Monty Python laugh a lot

   “Lovingly ripped off” from the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” the musical “Monty Python’s Spamalot” contains the same successful bizarre humor the film has.

With a corny punch line almost every minute, the musical manages to make fun of the Broadway industry and the many melodramatic moments and songs musicals contain.

Aside from poking fun at other Broadway musicals such as “Marry Poppins,” “West Side Story,” “Pippin” and “Les Misérables,” among others, the musical also takes a hit at contemporary issues such as politics, gay marriage and “American Idol.”

The UTEP Dinner Theatre’s rendition of the musical was hysterical. Set in the time of King Arthur, this parody follows his travels as he attempts to recruit the Knights of the Round Table. In their journey to find the Holy Grail they encounter killer bunnies, a mystical, yet comical Lady of the Lake and a whole ensemble of stereotyped French people, which include Lumiére and Featherduster from “Beauty and the Beast.”

The talented cast did a marvelous job acting, dancing and singing.  King Arthur, played by Wayne Davidson, did a terrific job at moving along the audience through a journey that brought many surprises and laughs. The versatile Lady of the Lake, later known as Guinevere and played by Ashley Maddox, portrayed a terrific and ideal diva as she complains about how she doesn’t get enough stage time while she sings “The Diva’s Lament.”

The rest of the cast also did an amazing job at portraying their characters and causing the audience to laugh. Sir Galaha (Ricardo Parra) was always proud of his decisions, with his cocky and heroic attitude. In contrast, there was Sir Robin (Justin Lucero) who feared most situations and explained with a song how “You Won’t Succeed on Broadway” without a Jew.

UTEP’s production is even greater when it’s personalized as the Knights of the Round Table, along with their king, choose an audience member to hand them the long sought after Holy Grail. The cast then goes and conducts a long speech expressing their gratitude to the city of El Paso.  
Although the musical is silly throughout, there is still a meaning to it all— find your grail. Which can be interpreted as finding your meaning in life, or simply finding what makes you happy. The musical also includes the well-known song “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” which can make everything better—except death, as we see how King Arthur changes the lyrics into a morbid rendition.

“Monty Python’s Spamalot” is recommended to everyone who wants to have a good laugh. Some jokes may be simple and inane, but they are told in such a way that even a person with no sense of humor might crack.  
The UTEP Dinner Theatre will have performances of “Monty Python’s Spamalot” through Nov. 4.

For more information, contact the UTEP Dinner Theater at 747-6060.

Alejandro Alba may be reached at prospector@utep.edu.