STAGE FOUNDATION THEATER HAS OPENED "CAMELOT" WITH ALL THE OPTIMISM AND ELAN WE HAVE ALWAYS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS TIMELESS BROADWAY SHOW OF SWORDS AND SONGS

By Chuck Graham, TucsonStage.com

 

photo by Britten Leigh

The court of King Arthur was a happy place, setting a new standard for civilized behavior, from the vaunted Knights of the Round Table to the ordinary people in the streets.  

On October 1, 1960, “Camelot” opened on Broadway, eager to fulfill its destiny as the musical that became emblematic of the presidency of John F. Kennedy. Through the ensuing decades of real war and violence, goodness and light have continued to be associated with the spirit of “Camelot.”

During that time the show has won four Tony awards and enjoyed four successful Broadway revivals – plus the making of a Hollywood box office hit in 1967 starring Richard Harris and Vanessa Redgrave.

Now a relatively new Tucson company Stage Foundation Theater has opened its own production of the Alan Jay Lerner and Frederic Loewe classic, in the Proscenium Theatre on the Pima Community College west campus.

Singing the role of King Arthur is Scott Seamen from Flagstaff. Guinevere is sung by Caroline Murphy. Appearing as Lancelot and singing the signature hit “If Ever I Would Leave You” is Matt Milne.

Directing this ambitious cast is Gene Abravaya, with Korby Myrick as music director.

While the music itself is the star of the show, Myrick does create a full orchestral sound using a combination of choral voices and symphonic musicians that fill the stage nicely.

Period costumes and an elaborate stage design that includes several moving pieces plus wide rear screen projection effects add depth and a professional edge to the entire production.

In contrast Seamen and Milne use a more laid back, casual style to project the atmosphere of King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table.

These are happy warriors, proud to be creating a civilized culture unlike any society the unruly leaders of England's kingdoms past had managed.

Adding pronounced personalities of a stronger sort are Arnie Kraus as Pelinore and Kevin Orduno as the trouble-making Mordred.

“Camelot” runs through March 24 with performances at 7 p.m. Friday, March 22, and Saturday, March 23; 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 24, in the Proscenium Theatre of the Pima Community College Center for the Arts, 2202 W. Anklam Road.

Tickets are $35. For details and reservations: www.stagefoundationtheater.org