A Fairy Tale Beginning

Inextricably linked with John F. Kennedy's truncated presidency (it was his favorite musical), Lerner and Loewe's Camelot is often seen as a longing glance back at the good old days, summarized in (supposedly) JFK's beloved lyric, "Don't let it be forgot/ That once there was a spot/ For one brief, shining moment/ That was known as Camelot." But much like Merlin, the old wizard who remembers both the past and the future, Camelot also looks forward to a better day. Near the end of the story — spoiler alert! — after Guenevere has betrayed her husband by succumbing to her feelings for Lancelot, Arthur must bring them both to justice for the affront to his honor. But instead he forgives them, and then meets a young boy in his entourage who is idealistic about everything in life, seeing only the good and the glorious. And Arthur realizes that as long as there is a younger generation who still believes in honor and duty and valor, whatever bad that happened in the past is less consequential than the good that shall come. The Muny stages the still-inspirational Camelot at 8:15 p.m. Monday through Sunday (July 27 through August 2) at the Muny in Forest Park (314-361-1900 or www.muny.org). Tickets are $9 to $66.
July 27-Aug. 2, 2009