I was optimistic, although armed with reasonably attenuated expectations, as I sat down to Hillcrest High School’s first performance of Monty Python’s Spamalot, with tag line “a new musical ‘lovingly’ ripped off from the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” My optimism was rewarded and my expectations far exceeded. Having a quotable familiarity with the film, I can honestly say that I giggled much harder at the opening number featuring a group of lampooned singing Finnish people with knickerbockers and blonde Pipi Longstocking pigtails dancing the tanhu and smacking each other with foam mackerel than I ever have watching the original.
While it is true that a musical rendition of a Monty Python classic is prone to be particularly forgiving of unintended flubs and foibles, the performances were commendable nonetheless. An occasionally screeching violin or skronking horn, a dancer pirouetting right when it should be left simply added to the ridiculous charm of the farcical romp. The leading role, King Arthur, was played by the sterling Henry Ashby. From his absurdly self-assured smile constantly directed with glistening élan towards the audience to his gleaming vocal delivery in his various solos, Ashby is certainly a person to watch in future productions. Other particularly standout performances came from James Cain as both the historian and Brother Maynard, and the spectacular vocal chords of Ranjini Vasanthan as the Lady of the Lake.
Within the dynamic range of high school musical performances, the production bordered on lavish with full live orchestration, countless set changes, professional looking wardrobe and lighting and dizzyingly complex choreography. In comedy, timing is everything, and director Scot Hall, a Hillcrest alum, did an excellent job of drawing the best out of his performers. In an age when American high schools cancel senior proms rather than allow gay couples to attend in each other’s company, I particularly commend the Spamalot production personnel and Hillcrest administration for producing a musical with a delightful song celebrating a gay interracial marriage. Good on’ya!