On March 4, 2019, Lincoln Center presented a concert of Lerner and Loewe's Camelot starring Lin-Manuel Miranda as King Arthur, Solea Pfeiffer as Guenevere, and Jordan Donica as Lancelot. And while it may have been cold and windy on the streets of New York, it felt like the lusty month of May had come early to the Vivian Beaumont Theater, as this masterful production warmed the hearts of all present. And though Camelot may have been created in the 1960's, its discussion of idealism, realism, and democracy are still very much relevant to the discussions going on today.
Directed by Bartlett Sher, who is behind the current revival of My Fair Lady, and performed with just chairs, music stands, binders, and very few costumes, it was evident that grand sets and elaborate costumes were not necessary. Indeed, the words and the music were illuminated by the starry talent that was assembled for the evening that showed off the talents of Miranda, as the idealistic king; Pfeiffer as the noble yet flawed queen; and Donica as the heroic and sometimes lofty knight.
And they were joined by Jason Danieley as Dir Dinadan, Jenn Colella as Sir Lionel, Bonnie Milligan and Sir Sagramore, Dakin Matthews as Merlyn, Ruthie Ann Miles as Nimue, Danny Burstein as Pellinore, Ethan Slater as Mordred, Julie White as Morgan Le Fey, and Emeka Guindo as Tom of Warwick, as well as an incredibly talented ensemble.
There was not a single weak link in the cast, and they were incredible in every sense of the word. And talented performances aside, it was a celebration not only of Lincoln Center but of theater itself, and what a fantastic production can do. And once the final words of the show had been spoken, and the lights rose, the audience jumped out of their seats, cheering and clapping. Because, for a few blissful hours, everyone was living in the world of this gorgeous show.