Thursday, February 6, 2014

Memphis Life: Spamalot!

First off, let me just say that British humor is some of the best.

Every semester when we talk about the Spanish Inquisition, my students get to see this: 



Really, no one expected it.

One of my favorite shows of all time is The Vicar of Dibley:


*And I believe...they might both be butter. In a cunning disguise.

A show that taught me the value of reading ahead before reading aloud, especially in old books.

Succor starts with an S. No matter how much it may look like an F.

And I love, love, love Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Actually, let me back up.

I love Monty Python.



And I love medieval Europe.


Especially Arthurian stuff.


I am way less of a weirdo than I sound like.

Okay.

Because of all these things, when Memphis Yelp Community Manager Joelle created a Yelp Event to go see Spamalot, I was in.

Plus, front row tickets, for free, plus getting to hang out with some awesome people AND going to Playhouse on the Square for the first time?

Duh.

*Via wikimedia.

Playhouse on the Square has been around for a long time but just opened in this new space in the past couple of years. The area is becoming very bustling, less than a block from Overton Square, right across from the coming Fresh Market, the new Hattiloo Theater, and the Overton Square parking garage (which I parked in - super nice!).

So the Playhouse is great, and I had some great company to share it with!

*Blatantly stolen from Joelle. Also hooray drinks! And my friend Amanda was there!

The bar is cash only, so be prepared. 

We got our drinks, and made our way to our seats. 

*Vodka cranberry. They do not skimp on the vodka. Be warned. 

Now, obviously I couldn't take pictures during the play, but we were right in front of the orchestra pit, and it was AMAZING. 


Here's another shot of the curtain: 


And one of my favorite songs (from the original Broadway run, with David Hyde Pierce): 



The play itself was fantastic. I am definitely not a theater critic, but I do love the theater. 

The first play I ever saw was when I was 11 maybe, and my mom took me to see her college's production of "The Tempest." 

I'm not 100% sure "The Tempest" is appropriate for 11 year olds. 

Also. 

HOW DID I NOT KNOW THIS WAS A MOVIE!?!?!

*BRB staying in to watch Shakespeare movie adaptations.

A couple of years later, I went to see a collection of gothic short plays in Little Rock for school.

Tell-Tale Heart, Monkey's Paw, that kind of thing.

Maybe I am that weird.

So I've seen a lot of plays, and a lot of different kinds of plays. And this one was great.

The Flyer did a great review, and I would only add that David Foster was fantastic as Galahad, and Carla McDonald was hilarious. The orchestra was also great - I'm constantly amazed by that level of skill.

So the show was great.

But getting to hang out with such cool people, at an event that encouraged local Yelpers, bloggers, and community members to interact, was the best part.

After we went for some drinks at Sweet Grass Next Door, which I'll review later.

(Spoiler alert: I ate a ton and drank awesome beer and I'm not sorry.)

Thank you Joelle, and everyone else who came!

And keep an eye out for future Yelp events!

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