In 2015, still new to visiting Broadway, I was in town to see Hamilton, Fun Home and a few other new shows. I was shocked that my friend chose to see The King and I at Lincoln Center over Hamilton. Later it was pointed out to me that when something plays at Lincoln Center, it’s special. Lincoln Center productions are legendary. The latest production of Lerner and Lowe’s Camelot, with a brand new book by Aaron Sorkin, is absolutely special and no less than epic.
What works?
Camelot’s staging heavily relies on high-definition projections on the back wall of the stage. This has been done before, but the back wall of the Lincoln Center stage is so huge, outdoor scenes feel real and look stunning. Even the opening scene, a snowy field with a single tree, looks great.
Phillipa Soo stars as Guinevere. I’ve seen her a few times. She was in the original cast of Hamilton and later she starred in the nightmarish Amélie: A New Musical. But she was born to play Guinevere. She’s perfect here. The show really gives her voice a chance to soar. Full Julie Andrews vibes. And she also looks amazing in her beautifully tailored dresses.
Jordan Donica, who has also performed in Hamilton, won us over as Lancelot. He’s big and strong and likeable, but also mysterious and sexy. He’s also great with a sword. The sword fights in this show are intense. Clearly the swordsmanship was well rehearsed, but I couldn’t help feeling concerned for the actors’ safety. Exciting!
Aaron Sorkin’s new book is very successfully written in a modern, American vernacular. Well, mostly American. There are moments where Guinevere and Lancelot, who are both French, converse in their characters’ native language. It’s a very effective change to the original book, showing a deep connection between the two forbidden lovers.
Framed by the modernized book, the songs, which are verbatim to the 1960 production, feel elevated. This could have easily not gone well, but the shifting between new and old felt surprisingly organic.
I was happy the score still includes the Guinevere song at the end. It’s so odd. At the climax of the show, the chorus, for the first time in the show, narrates the story.
Merch
I was very tempted to pick up the beautiful poster. My friend bought the shirt, mug and magnet. I kind of wish I had, too.
Lerner and Lowe’s Camelot, directed by Bartlett Sher, opens April 13, 2023 at the Lincoln Center Theater.