A JOURNEY WORTH TAKING: John W. Engeman’s ‘Camelot’ delights theatergoers

By: Julianne Mosher

The timeless tale of King Arthur comes to life on the stage of the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport with a captivating production of Lerner & Loewe’s Camelot, delivering an evening filled with memorable performances, beautiful music and heartfelt storytelling.

Directed by Drew Humphrey, the production successfully transports audiences to the legendary kingdom of Camelot, where themes of honor, love and idealism remain as relevant today as they were when the musical first premiered in the early 1960s. From the opening number to the final curtain call, the cast demonstrated a clear commitment to bringing the beloved story to life, leaving the audience speechless with a standing ovation at last Sunday’s performance.

Based on the legend of King Arthur (Montgomery Sutton), this musical rendition of Camelot tells the story of Arthur’s dream of creating a kingdom founded on justice, equality and honor. Alongside his queen, Guenevere (Liv Kurtz), and his loyal knight, Sir Lancelot (Alexander Rios), Arthur establishes the famed round table, where all knights are considered equals.

As the kingdom flourishes, a complicated love triangle develops between Arthur, Guenevere and Lancelot, threatening the ideals upon which Camelot was built. The arrival of Arthur’s ambitious son, Mordred (James Kelley Carroll), further fuels conflict and ultimately leads to the kingdom’s downfall. Through its memorable score and timeless themes, Camelot explores love, loyalty, sacrifice and the pursuit of a better world.

Leading the production as Arthur, Sutton’s portrayal balances warmth with humor, strength mixed with vulnerability. Opposite him, Kurtz delivers a phenomenal performance as Guenevere, bringing a strong female lead to the stage with unbelievable talent. The chemistry between the two performers in the beginning of the show help anchor the emotional core of the production, which is questioned when Rios enters the scene as the strong, mysterious and handsome Lancelot. 

With a small but mighty cast (Jack Baylis, Jaz Gomez, Lily Grubert, Israel R. Hillery), all actors go between scenes and characters with ease. Other standout supporting roles are the young Tom (Derek Martin Hough) who acts almost as a narrator throughout the show, explaining the setting of each scene with his book in hand, and the three knights, Dinadan (John Alejandro Jeffords), Sagramore (Riley Wesson) and Lionel (Christopher Deprophetis), who shines (literally and figuratively) on stage. 

In the second act, Carroll’s Mordred thickens the plot as the antagonist whose goal is to take down his father and his kingdom. Meant to not be liked, Carroll makes it hard with his artistry of what we see as the bad guy.

With choreography by Alyssa Sarnoff and musical direction by David Wolfson, the story, which leans more towards a tragedy (spoiler: it’s not a happy ending), both do a fantastic job with making a sad story into an upbeat, fun musical.

Starting off, the audience giggles over Arthur’s “I Wonder What the King is Doing Tonight,” and swoons with the king and queen’s rendition of “Camelot.” The momentum keeps up with the silly, but fun, “The Lusty Month of May,” and “What Do the Simple Folk Do?” But balances out with the gut-wrenching “I Loved You Once in Silence” between the forbidden lovers, Guenevere and Lancelot. The ensemble cast also contributes significantly, bringing high energy and enthusiasm to every scene.

Among the production’s many strengths is its creative use of scenery. Kyle Dixon has designed an enchanting forest backdrop featuring a rotating set piece that cleverly served multiple purposes, transforming into different corners of the kingdom as the story unfolded that the actors were able to sit, stand and run on. The fluid scene changes maintain the show’s momentum while immersing the audience in Camelot’s magical world. Complementing the set, Dustin Cross outfits the cast in richly detailed costumes, fitting for a queen.

Whether during large ensemble numbers or quieter character moments, the cast maintains a strong connection with the audience, drawing them into the story’s triumphs and tragedies.

Overall, the Engeman’s production of Camelot is a rewarding theatrical experience that showcases the talents of its cast and creative team. Whether you’ve loved Camelot for years or are discovering it for the first time, this production reminds audiences why the musical has endured for generations. See trailer here.

The John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Camelot through June 28. To order tickets, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.