Keith Rice as Arthur and Helen Anker as Guenevere. Photo credit: Heidi Bohnekamp (2016) Let's cut to the chase: I love Chanhassen Dinner Theatres' production of the classic musical Camelot. It’s charming, funny, and touching. I even shed some tears. In this review I'll tell you why I recommend you and your loved ones see this show over the winter and why it is still relevant, gosh darnit, even if other Twin Cities Theater Bloggers didn't agree with me completely.
A Little History
Did you know that Camelot was once regarded as the most expensive and opulent production to have ever played on Broadway? It was the Spider-Man of its day.
Based on the book The Once and Future King by T.H. White, Camelot was created by the famous artistic team Lerner & Loewe (Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe) and this was the final musical to be produced from that partnership. It opened on Broadway in 1960 and ran for 25 months, won four Tony Awards, and starred the stunning Julie Andrews and Richard Burton. Thanks to the Anoka County Library, I listened to the soundtrack throughout my high school years and treasured gems like "The Lusty Month of May" and "What Do the Simple Folks Do?"
The Story and Performance
Camelot, at it's best is a place of magic, friendship, humor and idealism. The audience is rooting for the unlikely love between Guenevere and Arthur, as they have just met at the start of the play as a result of their newly arranged marriage. Their partnership is funny and heartwarming, which makes it tragic when Arthur's new best friend, Lancelot, and Guenevere unintentionally fall in love. The emotional aspect of the love triangle is explored in this musical as well as the serious legal implications of royalty dabbling outside of their marriage: Guenevere faces burning at the stake and our "protagonist" Arthur offers her little in the way of rescue.
The other Twin Cities Bloggers who were in the audience on opening night had mostly positive things to say about the production:
A Little History
Did you know that Camelot was once regarded as the most expensive and opulent production to have ever played on Broadway? It was the Spider-Man of its day.
Based on the book The Once and Future King by T.H. White, Camelot was created by the famous artistic team Lerner & Loewe (Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe) and this was the final musical to be produced from that partnership. It opened on Broadway in 1960 and ran for 25 months, won four Tony Awards, and starred the stunning Julie Andrews and Richard Burton. Thanks to the Anoka County Library, I listened to the soundtrack throughout my high school years and treasured gems like "The Lusty Month of May" and "What Do the Simple Folks Do?"
The Story and Performance
Camelot, at it's best is a place of magic, friendship, humor and idealism. The audience is rooting for the unlikely love between Guenevere and Arthur, as they have just met at the start of the play as a result of their newly arranged marriage. Their partnership is funny and heartwarming, which makes it tragic when Arthur's new best friend, Lancelot, and Guenevere unintentionally fall in love. The emotional aspect of the love triangle is explored in this musical as well as the serious legal implications of royalty dabbling outside of their marriage: Guenevere faces burning at the stake and our "protagonist" Arthur offers her little in the way of rescue.
The other Twin Cities Bloggers who were in the audience on opening night had mostly positive things to say about the production:
Photo credits: Heidi Bohnekamp (2016)
The cast was top-notch, led by Helen Anker as Guenevere and Keith Rice as Arthur. Aleks Knezevich, who played Gaston in Chanhassen’s summer production Beauty and the Beast, returns in another confident masculine role as Lancelot. As with past Chanhassen productions I’ve seen, in Camelot the costumes, lighting, and sets were well-designed and magical. This production had some especially nice dance moments where the choreography really supported and advanced the plot, like the jousting scene and when Nimue, the lady of the lake, takes away Merlin’s powers.
I was surprised that some of the other bloggers felt the story and script weren't as relevant to modern issue as they would have liked. However, I feel completely transported by this fairytale gone wrong. It is easy for me to buy into Arthur's idealism and work to make his kingdom more equitable for the lower class. And when Mordred comes onto the scene with the clear intention of grabbing power for himself with little thought to the impact on the rest of society, it reminds me of our current political realities.
I was surprised that some of the other bloggers felt the story and script weren't as relevant to modern issue as they would have liked. However, I feel completely transported by this fairytale gone wrong. It is easy for me to buy into Arthur's idealism and work to make his kingdom more equitable for the lower class. And when Mordred comes onto the scene with the clear intention of grabbing power for himself with little thought to the impact on the rest of society, it reminds me of our current political realities.
At the end of the play we are left with a message that audiences should find encouraging. King Arthur finds a young boy and asks him to tell the story of Camelot. We must learn from our history. We must take art seriously because theater, literature, music, dance, and physical art are all glimpses into our shared humanity and our diversity. We must keep telling our stories.
Keith Rice as Arthur and Tony Vierling standing creepily in the back as Mordred. Seem familiar? Photo credit: Heidi Bohnekamp (2016)
Thanks to Chanhassen Dinner Theatres for an amazing dinner and tickets to a great show. I'd like to leave you with these words from the director, Michael Brindisi:
"One of the greatest stories ever told. It is so big, so emotionally packed and ultimately about the aspirations of humankind. There are so many great and important themes that will resonate with audiences today; passions, fate, battling the forces of nature and in the end, the choice between order or chaos.
"I just feel it's important to be romantic in our world today, to hang on, for dear life, to our dreams and aspirations. This is a play about Arthur's dream, but it's also a play about all of our dreams--dreams for a perfect world--if only for one brief shining moment."
"I just feel it's important to be romantic in our world today, to hang on, for dear life, to our dreams and aspirations. This is a play about Arthur's dream, but it's also a play about all of our dreams--dreams for a perfect world--if only for one brief shining moment."
Ticket Information
| Camelot Now through February 25, 2017 Come along to the idyllic kingdom of Camelot. Revel in the rich, deeply romantic legend of King Arthur and his beloved Queen, Guenevere. Celebrate the dashing Sir Lancelot, the gallant Knights of the Round Table, the mystical wizard Merlin and the Lady of the Lake from the mists of Avalon. Beyond romance, noble quests and magic spells lie twisted plots, inner demons and betrayal – all threatening to snuff out Arthur’s dreams to build the greatest kingdom ever known – one where true justice and compassion reign supreme. The ideals of Camelot are ones we long for in our own day, making Camelot a hopeful legend for all time. Tickets: $50-$85 Discounts for students ages 5-17 and seniors ages 55+. Camelot is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes including one intermission. | Chanhassen Dinner Theatres 501 W 78th Street Chanhassen, MN 55317 |
Follow Artfully Engaging on Facebook for all of Kendra’s newest reviews and show features.
Costume Feature: Beauty and the Beast interviews with Chanhassen cast members . . .
RSS Feed
