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Camelot by Broadway-San Diego 
Kings and queens, knights and ladies, wizards and witches,
and a round table. Yes, this is Camelot. Lerner and Loewe’s musical
interpretation of it. And the national tour is currently passing through San
Diego’s Civic Theatre thanks to Broadway-San Diego.The big headliner in this one is Lou Diamond Phillips, film star whose credits include La Bamba, Stand and Deliver, Young Guns, and Courage Under Fire. But he’s also earned a Tony nomination for his role as the king of Siam in The King and I. Apparently it’s good to be the king, as now he’s the king of England. The latter role is not nearly as well written, but Phillips has a fine voice and brings boyish charisma and naïve optimism to the role that is very refreshing. He also plays off Guenevere well – especially when selling her on the advantages of living in Camelot during their playful getting-to-know-you number. Rachel de Benedet stars as said Guenevere, infusing the role with a delightfully fun and witty personality as a young woman yearning for excitement and adventure. And then there’s that other guy she falls in love with. Her husband’s best friend, and the man who makes it his dream to bring the utopian Camelot to the world. With great personality, comic timing, an outlandish French accent, and remarkable yet unassuming arrogance, Lancelot (Matt Bogart) is pretty much as perfect as he humbly claims to be. Another standout is Time Winters, who is a hoot as old Pellinore. And then there are a few of our top homegrown San Diego actors on the tour, including the great wizard Merlin himself. San Diego favorite Eric Anderson gets things off on the right foot as the powerful, mysterious, and comedic wizard who lives his life going backwards in time. As always, Eric adds unusual and welcome personality to his role. He is joined by Robert J. Townsend and Jill Townsend (formerly Jill Lewis) who married a few years after meeting as the leads in Oklahoma! at the Welk Resort Theatre, now touring together as Robert plays Sir Sagramore and Jill fills in as a swing. The musical itself hasn’t withstood time nearly as well as Lerner and Loewe’s classic My Fair Lady. Most of the songs seem dated and aren’t charming or witty or good enough to overcome it, and there are too many scenes when the story drags. But it does pick up a bit near the end as Camelot comes crashing down on the once naively optimistic Arthur, Guenevere, and Lancelot – the famous trio whose youthful dreams unravel so quickly that they seem to be lost in confused sadness and disbelief.Performs September 25 - 30, 2007.
~ Cast ~
Young Arthur: Tavis Danz King Arthur: Lou Diamond Phillips Sir Dinadan: Chris Warren Gilbert Merlyn: Eric Anderson Sir Lionel: Christian Whelan Guenevere: Rachel de Benedet Sir Sagramore: Robert J. Townsend Lady Anne: Juli Robbins Lady Sybil: Jean Michelle Sayeg Clarius: Vincent Zamora Colgrevance: John B. Williford Ensemble: Venny Carranza Lawrence Cummings Sandy Hawker Angelina Holliman Joanna Louise Grant Rosen Megan Swanson Lisaun Whittingham Nimue: Melina Kalomas Mordred: Shannon Stoeke Lancelot: Matt Bogart Squire Dap: Tavis Danz Pellinore: Time Winters Tom of Warwick: Tavis Danz Director: Glenn Casale Scenic Design: John Iacovelli Costume Design: Marcy Froehlich Lighting Design: Tom Ruzika Sound Design: Julie Ferrin Production Stage Manager: Michael McEowen Choreography: Dan Mojica Musical Direction: Craig Barna |