Camelot

 

 

I approached this production of CAMELOT with trepidation having seen it at La Mirada Theatre before it left on tour. In La Mirada it starred Michael York, Rachael York, and James Barbour. It had many problems not the least of which was the casting of Michael York as King Arthur. He is a fine actor but he was too old and stodgy for the part. On September 11th, a recast CAMELOT opened at Royce Hall on the UCLA campus. The new cast included Lou Diamond Phillips (Tony nominee for KING AND I), Rachael de Benedet as the lovely Guenevere, and the handsome Matt Bogart as the stalwart Lancelot.

Mr. Phillips brought a strong masculinity and presence to the role. Like all of his predecessors in the role, he can’t really sing. Has this role ever been sung well? I think the piece would work a lot better if Arthur gave Lancelot and Guenevere a run for their. money. His songs are of a different sort than their soaring ballads but every time I see the show Arthur is holding back some or talking whole songs but never once acted with the confidence of a singer/actor.

Ms. de Benedet and Mr. Bogart sing very well and almost more importantly act very well. I particularly like Me. Bogart because unlike Mr. Barbour, or indeed Robert Goulet, he doesn’t lay into the songs to show off his voice.  The scenes they have together and with Mr. Phillips are quite moving. The script for CAMELOT has always been uneven but when it works, it works like gangbusters. Especially appropriate today are the themes of tolerance and the plea to stop war. Unfortunately they are themes that still hold relevance perhaps now more than ever.

I still missed Pelinore's dogs but Time Winters is even better here than in La Mirada, Eric Anderson is also stronger especially now that he no longer floats offstage. Some of the cute music has been restored and as always the score is wonderful and well conducted by Craig Barna. Glenn Casale directs this production with skill and invention.

ROYCE HALL UCLA 866-755-2929 until Sept 23rd and then on tour around the country.