‘Spamalot’ Impresses at PaliHi

By MATTHEW MEYER | Reporter

Proud parents and swarms of students filed into Mercer Hall during the past two weekends to enjoy a five-show run of Monty Python’s “Spamalot” at Palisades Charter High School.

The irreverent and self-referential musical parodied the legend of King Arthur, following a script originally adapted from the 1975 film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” Impressive vocal performances and comedic delivery by the cast, paired with elaborate set-design and authentic costumes, created an engaging experience for all.

In the musical’s opening moments, as a live orchestra of PaliHi students thrummed the score and projector images mingled with physical set pieces on stage, the play’s production value impressed. Under direction by drama instructor Nancy Frachiolla, the musical’s cast took full advantage of this elaborate playground, displaying a laudable level of comfort with a script rich in wordplay and British oddball humor.

The hilarity of the dialogue’s headiest moments—including a delightful lecture on political economy from a cockney peasant (Luke Rosa) to King Arthur (Max Vaupen)—may have whooshed over the heads of a few students in attendance, but left the show’s adult audience in stitches.

Meanwhile, the musical’s sillier moments (over-the-top Frenchmen peppering Arthur and his men with insults) and its pointed social commentary (two young men in love quipping that “in a thousand years time this will still be controversial”) drew deservedly riotous laughter and applause from all.

Roberta Alaman stole the show as Lady of the Lake, delivering inspired vocal performances with a heavy dose of the cheesy embellishments that define her diva-esque character, demonstrating both her comedic chops and raw singing ability. Meanwhile, Vaupen’s chemistry with his men—Charlie Hobert as Patsy, in particular—kept the laughs rolling throughout their tumultuous quest.