For those of us too young to be able to enjoy an actual “live” evening with the Monty Python troupe (those PBS re-runs of MONTY PYTHON’S FLYING CIRCUS had to do), Eric Idle has decided to celebrate the 40th Anniversary with AN EVENING WITHOUT MONTY PYTHON.
Hence, no John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam, Idle himself nor Graham Chapman (whose still dead) — just a bunch of other actors filling in (quite nicely at that) with a comprehensive production featuring the best silly bits, musical numbers and of course the “Dead Parrot” sketch which feel as fresh and original as the day the dropped on the BBC.
The Los Angeles run (which began last night) runs until October 4th at the Montalban Theatre and then it moves to New York at the Town Hall from October 6th through the 10th.
Jane Leeves introduces the show asking “Who is Monty Python and why hasn’t he gone away?”
After a little under an hour and half, the reason is clear why these comedy genises refuse to fade – Monty Python was simply one of the funniest sketch comedy troupes ever conceived. And even with Leeves, Jeff B. Davis, Alan Tudyk, Rick Holmes and Jim Piddock serving as stand-ins for the real deal, these adept performers manage to catch every nuance, every tic, every crazy word puzzle with precision and still have you clamoring for more.
Idle (who also brought MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL to the stage as SPAMALOT) co-directs this with BT McNicholl and it’s a blast to watch these sketches resuscitated back to life. The free form, non-sequiter approach that benefited the TV series so well is re-assembled in similar fashion stage. Sketches randomly end for no apparent reason and some bleed into the next with no rhyme or reason.
Idle has also updated some of the sketches with a few new pop cultural references (such as Dyson Vacuums and a nod to Neil Patrick Harris), while regional in-jokes regarding Burbank, West Hollywood and screenwriters are tossed in for a few hearty laughs as well.
But more important is the selection of the sketches. In addition to the aforementioned “Dead Parrot” sketch, Idle makes sure he hits all the greatest hits. From “The Ministry of Silly Walks,” “The Spanish Inquisition,” the Spam chant and of course “The Lumberjack Song.” There are also a few obscure bits peppered in as well making the night a full course meal.
While some of the actors do have the occasional physical resemblance to the various Python members – Tudyk as Chapman, Davis as Cleese, Holmes as Palin, and Paddock as both Idle and Jones – the sketches vary who plays what from the original incarnations, allowing the new actors to make each sketch their own.
It’s a hard act to follow, but these actors are phenomenal and the fact that it works so well is a testament to how bloody talented they are. A lot of hard work went into bringing their own energy to such tried and true (and overly familiar sketches).
Of the stand-out moments, Holmes gets to re-enact the “Travel Agent” sketch from the show and goes off on a long involved tangent that never quite stops. Tudyk (a Joss Whedon regular on FIREFLY and DOLLHOUSE) gets to showcase what a truly underrated performer he is. He’s flawless throughout the show and if you didn’t know any better, you’d think he was British. He is given the Cleese part in the Parrot sketch, but takes it into surprisingly darker and more intense territories. It’s a signature moment for him and he delivers it with zeal.
Alan Tudyk has been announced as a guest for the Firefly convention to be held in Los Angeles in November. Alan will join Firefly cast members Adam Baldwin, Gina Torres, Morena Baccarin, Mark Sheppard and Yan & Rafael Feldmen. The event will be held at the Marriott LAX hotel on the weekend of the 21st and 22nd of November.
Alan will participate in a Q&A session on stage and will be available for autograph and professional photo opportunities. This year, Alan will also be available for a special photo session with his on-screen wife Zoe (Gina Torres).
Tickets for the event are on sale now via the Creation Entertainment website.
Alan Tudyk has been announced as a headline guest for the Farpoint convention to be held February 13-15 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 2004 Greenspring Drive, Timonium, MD 21093.
You can pre-register for the even online until Jan 31st or you can register at the door.
For full details visit the Farpoint Science Fiction Media Event website at www.farpointcon.com
Alan Tudyk is the latest guest to be added to the Dragon*Con lineup.
Dragon*Con 2008 will be held Labor Day weekend (August 29 – September 1, 2008) in Atlanta, GA.
Alan will join fellow Firefly cast mates Nathan Fillion, Jewel Staite and Morena Baccarin. Adam Baldwin had been scheduled to attend but had to cancel due to work commitments. Many other guests will also be attending.
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HE arrival of actor Alan Tudyk in Brisbane couldn’t have come at a better time for a charity movie screening, even if he is leaving a few hours early…
… Brisbane Can’t Stop the Serenity organiser Andrew Lunt says the international event is held on or about Whedon’s birthday. “In the past two years, these events have raised a total of over $US160,000 US for Equality Now. Our aim this year is to achieve $150,000 for the charity, with screenings held in more than 50 cities worldwide.
“This is the first year that a CSTS event has been run in Brisbane. We have been very lucky that Alan is making an appearance at Gen Con Oz on the weekend of the event ? Browncoats are flying in interstate to see him, and scheduling to get to the CSTS screening before they head out again.”
“Alan isn’t going to be able to make it out to the CSTS screening ? he has to fly back Sunday afternoon. But apparently he’ll autograph some stuff for us to put up as prizes in the raffle, which is a great compromise.”
…Brisbane’s Can’t Stop the Serenity event will be held at the Eldorado Cinema in Indooroopilly on Sunday July 6 at 6.45pm.
Alan Tudyk has just been announced at a guest for next weekend’s Australian GenCon event in Brisbane, Australia. Due to filming issues, Battlestar Galactica guests James Callis and Jamie Bamber are unable to attend and a last minute guest booking was required.
The GenCon event runs from Thursday 3rd to Sunday 6th of July. It is yet to be announced what days Alan Tudyk will be at the event.
On the plus side, Gen Con? Australia and Hub Productions have been working furiously to find replacements for the show. And replacements we have found in the appearance of two awesome guests namely Paul “Carson Beckett” McGillion from Stargate Atlantis and Alan “Wash” Tudyk from Serenity/Firefly.
Alan’s Schedule is as follows:
SATURDAY (05/07/2008)
10.00am – 11.00am: Photography Session
11.00am – 1.00pm: Signing
1.00pm – 2.00pm: On Stage Q&A
3.00pm – 5.00pm: Signing
SUNDAY (06/07/2008)
10.00am – 11.00am: Photography Session
11.00am – 1.00: Signing
1.00pm – 2.00pm: On Stage Q&A
3.00pm – 5.00pm: Signing
GenCon will be held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Corner of Merivale & Glenelg Street, South Bank, Queensland, Australia 4101 from Thursday 3rd to Sunday 6th of July.
Background:
Gen Con? is a gaming convention which started in the USA approximately 40 years ago in Lake Geneva as a meeting between friends to play games. Today there are Gen Con? events run throughout the world in Indianapolis (USA), California (USA), Paris (France), and the United Kingdom. Gen Con? conventions attract over 100,000 attendees world wide…
The convention’s focus is on the trade show aspect of the gaming industry and allows a wide range of gaming and related companies to show their wares to those in the industry as well as to the general public. Gen Con? Australia aims to bring a new look to the market of gaming in Australia and is encouraging friends, family, and gamers alike to come along and get involved in a new hobby which bridges the generation gap, and has the potential to bring families together in a fun and participative way.
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If you ordered audience tickets for the filming of Alan Tudyk’s new pilot this Wednesday you should have received an email from Warner Bros stating that there has been a date change.? In case you didn’t, please be aware that the filming has been delayed by a day and will now be on Thursday 19th instead of Wed 18th.
untitled KOHAN-MUTCHNICK project
Thursday, June 19 – 6:00pm
Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank, CA
For more Info or to order tickets go to http://www.tvtickets.com/pilots.htm
Alan Tudyk’s “untitled KOHAN-MUTCHNICK” comedy pilot is to be filmed Wednesday, June 18 at 6:00pm at the Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank, CA and free studio audience tickets are available to people over the age of 18.
Sign up for your free tickets now, before they’re “sold out” for your chance to see Alan Tudyk live in what could be the latest hit comedy series.
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