The Camelot Repor
A few good things. But the rest got to me and it became a chore to get through.
This was the Small Cast Version, which happens to be the only version (??) listed at MTI:
Lerner and Loewe's Camelot – Small Cast Version has been adjusted to suit a smaller ensemble, making the delightful classic more accessible to theaters and schools without a large pool of actors. The definitive score and memorable characters are all there but with a libretto and orchestration adapted for a more intimate production.
The director told me the script encourages you to do pretty much whatever works in your space. They had one "set" (actually, a "design"), one set of costumes*, scene settings were announced by one or more members of the ensemble, and seven musicians (the ones scored for in this adaptation). But, though the director and actors were mostly good people, enough of it was sufficiently below par (for my taste) that it even permeated my dreams, adding to an already rocky night.
*I take that back. Guenevere changed for Act 2.
I'm not up on the various changes over the years, but no "magic" characters or scenes (no "Follow Me", etc.). "You May Take Me to the Fair" and "Fie on Goodness" are in. Dances were cut down to practically nothing - which I took to be a local decision, but who knows. Best, or most interesting, thing for me was "The Jousts" which was surprisingly well executed and well sung.
