4 out of 5 Stars

It has been 30 years since King Arthur, Queen Guenevere, and Sir Lancelot of Camelot fame have graced the Broadway stage, and Bartlett Sher, who has a knack for reviving classic mid-century musicals, took the opportunity to give this production a tune-up. The original Broadway show, with lyrics and book by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe, has been refreshed with a new book by acclaimed writer Aaron Sorkin. With those classic songs still intact, the show takes on fresh appeal and snap with the Sher and Sorkin treatment.

What really gets the show moving is the Phillipa Soo treatment. All three major characters are well acted with Andrew Burnap as King Arthur, Jordan Donica as Lancelot, and Soo as Queen Guenevere. Donica has a splendid bass voice and imposing stage presence and Burnap inhabits his role as king with an appealing mix of gravitas and humor. But it is Phillipa Soo who illuminates the stage with her clear, bright soprano, her light-as-a-feather dancing, and her on-the-mark acting skills. We were fortunate to see her as Eliza in Hamilton and as much as we loved her in that role, her appeal and talent as an actor and singer are on full display as Guenevere.

In the past Sher directed revivals we have seen, including South Pacific and My Fair Lady, the staging was lavish but this time the events take place on a cavernous and spare stage. Creative lighting effects set the tone and simple props set the stage. This sparse approach enhances the mystery and ephemeral nature of the Arthur legend. And it allows the gorgeous music floating up from the orchestra pit to truly engulf the viewer. The visual senses are not distracted by an elaborate set; therefore, more room is afforded for auditory appreciation.

Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater makes for a most congenial spot for this delightful and appealing revival. Although the ending leaves you with frustration over the foibles of human nature and the dashed hopes for Camelot, there is a glimmer of promise that today’s youth will find their way to a better tomorrow and that elusive happily-ever-aftering.