DaytonDailyNews.com

DAYTON — Experts say it's practically impossible to produce a hit Broadway musical. It's natural to wonder how hard it could really be after seeing "Monty Python's Spamalot," which opened for the first time here Tuesday, April 22, at the Schuster Center.

The 2005 Tony Award winner's components are almost transparent when held up to the light — two acts of theatrical formula, shopworn stereotypes, reheated British TV bits from another generation, gleanings from a classic movie and unremitting silliness.

It must be how they're put together, because the sum of those parts adds up to happy-go-lucky magic in the show by Python member Eric Idle and John Du Prez.

You would almost certainly end up a fool with empty pockets if you tried to replicate something that looks so simple when performed by a solid road company headed by veteran Broadway star Gary Beach as King Arthur.

He leads a ragtag corps of Camelot knights on an oft-sidetracked quest for the Holy Grail, but "Spamalot" is no monarchy. It's far more the kind of place legendary Louisiana governor Huey Long wanted voters to envision with his motto, "Every man a king."

Some of the humblest characters in the show have some of the greatest scenes:

1. Patrick Heusinger as the raspberry-blowing French Taunter in the Act 1 scene at the castle. (If there's an MVP in this production, it might be Heusinger, who also plays Sir Lancelot, the leading Knight of Ni and Tim the Enchanter.

2. Christopher Sutton as Not Dead Fred (also the Historian and swishy Prince Herbert), who originates a bit that recurs throughout the musical.

3. Ben Davis as the Black Knight (also Sir Galahad and Herbert's father), who sacrifices his limbs to do his duty.

4. The uncredited handler of the Killer Rabbit.

Her sometimes scantily clad Laker Girls are purely eye candy, but there's no keeping the leading Lady of the Lake from earning her spotlight in a variation on the Guinevere role. She demands it in her Act 2 "Diva's Lament" and the enthusiastic opening night audience gave Esther Stilwell her due in the role.

From's a supreme being's rocket-launched feet to a confetti cannon finale, the production flowed smoothly for the most part. The sound was a bit off during Act 1. Some dialogue was lost and some of Miss Stilwell's soaring notes were squelched. Things ran much better after intermission.

There's no need to do any homework to enjoy crazy, naughty "Spamalot," which jokes about Brits, French culture, Finland, gays, the propensity of Jews on Broadway, and the broadest target of all — musical theater. But it doesn't taunt its audience. One spectator even gets to bask in royal appreciation.

What looks easy really isn't. All that really matters is that it's easy to look at. The big show of the Victoria Theatre Association's Chase Broadway Series lives up to its billing.

"Spamalot" will continue through May 4 at 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sundays at the Schuster Center, Second and Main streets. Tickets are $28.50 to $85.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2377 or tmorris@coxohio.com.

Vote for this story!