16-Color
16 Lone Tree Voice
April 24, 2014
‘Spamalot’ is welcome bit of silliness on stage Monty Python play is pure audience-pleaser By Sonya Ellingboe
sellingboe@coloradocommunitymedia. com It takes place in medieval England and here — A.D. 932 and now. Many in the opening night audience knew almost every move in the Aurora Fox staging of “Monty Python’s Spamalot” — singing along on “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” and other songs by Eric Idle, the former Monty Python member who wrote the book and lyrics and collaborated on the music with John Du Prez. They also started to laugh before the first pronouncement from the stilt-walking Knight of Ni and were appropriately bedazzled by the wonderful Sarah Rex as Lady of the Lake. They were ready for killer rabbits and flying cows and the “bring out your dead” scene (“I’m Not Dead Yet”) — and impressed that the Black Knight bit was pulled off successfully. The wise-head French guard brought another round of laughter as skilled director/choreographer Piper
Lindsay Arpan’s expeif you go rience with the show brought it all togeth“Monty Python’s er. (She performed in Spamalot” plays it on Broadway and in through May 4 at the national touring the Aurora Fox, show.) 9900 E. Colfax, AuThroughout, the rora. Performances: cast performed with 7:30 p.m. Fridays, tongue firmly in Saturdays; 2 p.m. cheek in this charmSundays. Tickets: ing spoof of the King $28/$24, 303-739Arthur legend — in1970, AuroraFox. cluding the apparorg. ently clueless king, played by mellowvoiced Stephen Day. Costumes verged on cartoon versions of medieval garments and the set has castles walls and crowded streets, with assorted imaginative props. One needs to pay attention to detail for full enjoyment. I’m certain that with a few more performances under the belt, comic timing will be even better. The musical is based on the film, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” a clever and silly spin on the King Arthur legend — reinvented with the fast-paced humor of the weekly “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” tele-
Bob Hoppe as Patsy and Stephen Day as King Arthur star in “Spamalot” at the Aurora Fox. Courtesy photo vision programs, beloved my millions. Nimble character and costume changes prevail: Daniel Langhoff is a goofy Sir Galahad (et al) and Michael Bouchard plays the timid Sir Robin (et al). Kurt Brighton is Sir Lancelot (et al); Jim Hindsley is Sir Belvedere (et al); Liam Speros is Prince Her-
bert (et al); and the nimble Bob Hoppe is King Arthur’s faithful servant Patsy, he who clacks the coconut shells as they canter along — and sometimes trot. Camelot it’s not — but it’s an entertaining evening for those who are somewhat familiar with the territory.
Pottery in motion as guild sets up sale Group’s 50th anniversary also offers demonstrations By Sonya Ellingboe sellingboe @coloradocommunitymedia.com The Colorado Potters Guild, at 50 years old, is the oldest artists’ cooperative in Colorado. With a studio located in an old creamery at 1541 S. Pearl St. in Denver, members work long hours on site and at home, creating functional and decorative
ceramic works that they sell at two annual shows at First Plymouth Congregational Church. They also have held workshops and contributed to nonprofit events through the years. A new project is collaboration with Denver’s South High School ceramics department in an ongoing partnership. The guild will give the school two potter’s wheels (there are four at present for 100 students). They will also hold firing workshops — gas, vapor and raku — and teach students how to make chemical glazes they
can take back to the school and apply to their work. Some pieces of student work will be included in the Spring Show and Sale on May 1, 2 and 3 at First Plymouth, and a portion of show proceeds plus a donation from the Potters Guild will help pay for the donation. Additional 50th anniversary activities include clay building and wheel demonstrations at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival Children’s Tent and donation of silent auction items to the annual KUVO Jazz public radio’s summer celebration in July. A surprise giant coffee mug giveaway
if you go The Colorado Potters Guild 50th Anniversary Sale will be on May 1, 2 and 3 at First Plymouth Congregational Church at the intersection of South Colorado Boulevard and East Hampden Avenue in Cherry Hills Village.
will take place at this summer’s Pearl Street Farmers Market, held on weekends through the summer. More information about the guild and its activities is available online: coloradopotters.org.
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