The Pasadena Playhouse
January 20, 2010

Review by Palm Springs Guides Theatre & Cinema Critic/Reviewer Jack Lyons
Photos by Craig Schwartz

A FRESH AND RE-IMAGINED “CAMELOT” AT THE PASADENA PLAYHOUSE

A fresh breeze of creativity has blown onto the stage at The Pasadena Playhouse with their current production.  In its wake, we’re treated to a re-imagined and slimmed-down version of your grandfather’s favorite musical, “Camelot”.

When “Camelot”, debuted in Toronto in 1960, the opening night curtain went up at 8 pm and came down - four and a half hours later!  It was an inauspicious beginning for a show that was star-crossed from the beginning, but went on to become an American musical classic.

For starters, Frederick Lowe, who wrote the music, wasn’t really all that interested in doing the show.  Alan Jay Lerner, who wrote the libretto and lyrics, was in the midst of a divorce after his wife left him in the middle of rehearsals.  The show was still in “tryout status” and rewrites were necessary when a bleeding ulcer forced Lerner to be hospitalized.  And if that were not enough to give the creative team pause, Moss Hart the director, suffered a heart attack and left the show.  

It was felt by many, that “Camelot” was never going to open.  But as everyone in the world of theatre knows you’re never down and out.  You’re either just resting between shows or you’re in extended rehearsals.

“Camelot” opened on Broadway at The Majestic Theatre, in December of 1960 with the powerhouse cast of Richard Burton, Julie Andrews, and Robert Goulet, to somewhat mixed reviews. Some of Lerner’s early critics said  ”Jay Lerner’s murky book … has helped sink many a revival of the musical… It’s a good story, but Lerner’s book is talky and dense...the score, though is pure magic”.  Damning with faint praise is a favorite pastime of New York theatre critics, it would seem.

The music score of “Camelot”, of course, is superb.  It combines a lyrical simplicity with a lush romanticism, which is beautifully captured in songs like “I Loved You Once in Silence” and “If Ever I Would Leave You” As a matter of fact, “Camelot” boasts several memorable songs that have since become part of America’s lexicon.  The most famous being the title song and its closing lines sung by King Arthur:

If “Past is Prologue”, then this Pasadena Playhouse production will set the new standard for what future “Camelots” will, or should, look like.

Thanks to the inspired vision of director David Lee, who in re-imagining his production as a vehicle for eight actors – all of whom sing and dance – we have a show that is brilliant and fresh and is still true to the core story of “Camelot”.  It is, after all, a love story triangle involving three people: King Arthur, Lady Guenevere, and Lancelot du Lach.  According to the program notes, director Lee poured over the original text of “The Once and Future King” by T.H. White and other sources for many months, before arriving at his version - a slimmed down script, sans the panoply and pageantry usually associated with past productions. Gone is a stage full of dancers, squires, chorus boys and girls in beautiful costumes, court jesters, and comic-relief characters.

In their place, Lee has assembled a terrific ensemble cast.  The lovely Shannon Warne plays Guenevere and charms everyone with her crystal clear and effortlessly soaring soprano.  Lyric Baritone Shannon Stoeke, as Arthur begins the show as a youthful King and keeps on growing his character into the regal monarch we all recognize from the books and myths.  Doug Carpenter as Lancelot brings a powerful baritone voice, an  attitude, and good looks, to his portrayal which makes it easy to understand why Guenevere is so attracted to him.  The wonderful on-stage chemistry between the trio, when interacting with one another, is a delight to watch.

Offering solid support as the Knights of the Round Table are: Zachary Ford as Sir Lionel, Richard R. Segall as Sir Dinadan, Andrew Ross Wynn as Sir Sagramore, with Will Bradley as Mordred, and Seth Daly as Tom of Warwick.  With these eight actors in the cast you don’t need anyone else.  They do it all and they do it brilliantly.

A plus for the audience, in my opinion, is the energy generated by the cast, who in this case, enjoy the luxury of an uncluttered stage – thanks to the foresight of their director - producing memorable tableaus and many emotional moments.  Also, it’s amazing how creative actors and directors can become when they have the run of the stage.

“Camelot” is a triumph for Artistic Director Sheldon Epps, who keeps hitting home runs when it comes to musicals.  His last production of “Baby, It’s You!” was simply terrific and with this winning “Camelot” production, The Pasadena Playhouse has back to back winners.  Don’t miss this absolutely enchanting show!

Palm Springs Guides Theatre & Cinema Critic/Reviewer Jack Lyons is a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the Writers Guild of America, West and Screen Actors Guild and is interested in all things “show biz.” An entertainment journalist, TV, radio and theater reviewer/critic seen locally in the Coachella Valley on channel My13 KPSE-TV on “Desert Entertainment This Week.” To visit Jack’s blog, click here.