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Camelot
April 23 - May 9, 2010
Music by Frederic Loewe
Book and Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner
Directed by Barb Christensen
Music Direction by Cathy Paquette
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| | This iconic Broadway Musical is based upon the legend of King Arthur as adapted from T.H. White's "The Once and Future King." King Arthur's enchanted kingdom, Camelot, is a place where honor and chivalry reign. But can this idyllic land survive when Queen Guenevere falls in love with Sir Lancelot? The show includes classic songs like "If Ever I Would Leave You", "What Do the Simple Folk Do?", and (of course) "Camelot". Relive the magic of Camelot with LCP!
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| Cast -
King Arthur ......................... Rick Richter
Guenevere .......................... Emily Gaulke
Lancelot .............................. Scott Fillmore
Merlin/Clarius ................... Mike Crowley
Sir Pellinore ....................... James Baker Jr.
Sir Dinadin ......................... Rob Carroll
Sir Lionel ............................ Emery Koval
Sir Sagamore ...................... Perry Gross
Morgan le Fey ..................... Sandra Baker Renick
Mordred .............................. Andrew Helman
Nimue/Lady Elizabeth ........ Patty Wilson
Lady Anne .......................... Jamee Hueschen
Lady Sybil .......................... Roberta Prospeck
Lady Catherine ................... Betsy Bromley
Lady Beatrice ..................... Courtney Collinwood
Lady Helena ....................... Barb Lancelle
Lady Alice .......................... Sophie Phillips
Squire Dap ......................... Chris Meissner
Guilliam ............................. Eric Starr
Castor ................................ Harold Holeman
Page/Herald ...................... Elise Matson
Tom of Warwick ................. Larson Seaver
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| | 'Camelot' is a smash production
By JULIE McHALE - TimeOut Theater Critic
April 29, 2010
"Camelot," the award-winning Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe musical that hit the Broadway stage in 1960, starred Richard Burton, Julie Andrews and Robert Goulet and ran for 873 performances, is now playing at the Lake Country Playhouse in Hartland.
This is a smash production, thanks to its strong leads, musicality and overall quality.
The King Arthur legend has been around for a long time. The story behind Arthur's inheriting the throne plus the idealism that characterized his reign, not to mention the arrival of Lancelot to complicate matters, makes a good story, albeit a sad one in many ways.
Whenever utopia looms as a possibility, there is sure to be the danger of destruction. Human beings are capable of both and "therein lies the rub," as Shakespeare so aptly put it.
The four main characters - King Arthur, Guenevere, Lancelot, and Pellimore - are all well-developed and very beautifully re-created by Rick Richter, Emily Gaulke, Scott Fillmore and Jim Baker.
Richter made King Arthur so human, so noble and so lovable that one wondered where his Queen's head was as she falls in love with the brash, self-centered, cocky Lancelot. But Guinevere is a bit light-headed, impulsive, aware of her beauty and easily flattered, so her attraction is understandable though inexcusable.
Luckily, she does grow and learn from her mistakes, so we do have some sympathy for her. Gaulke was perfect in the role. Her singing, her facial expressions and her awareness of her power over men are all exquisitely crafted.
Fillmore's sonorous voice grabs us the moment he steps on stage with his self-serving "C'est Moi." He seems more comfortable as the braggart than he does as the smitten lover, but he too is an interesting, complex character. Baker again aces his role as the bumbling Pellimore, the well-meaning warrior and servant to the King. He provides us with many a smile.
The ensemble is especially impressive in the jousting match and the May celebration. They are tuneful, well-coordinated and very engaged in every scene. Music director Cathy Paquette and choreographer Tamara Jung deserve much of the credit for this.
Many lovely tunes add dimension and color to this story. "Camelot" and "If Ever I Would Leave You" are the two standouts in the show. But "How to Handle a Woman" was very sensitively delivered by Richter, and "What Do the Simple Folk Do" was delightful, as well.
Cameo roles by Morgan le Fey (Sandra Menick) and Sir Dinidan (Rob Carroll) must be mentioned.
Costumes were well-chosen by Rachel Goulde, and set designer Joe Rayman provided the atmosphere.
Thanks to the entire cast and the dedicated direction of Barb Christensen for an outstanding production. Be proud. You deserve it.
The show is one of the best community productions I have ever seen. |
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