By Shelley Koppel
Entertainment writer
FORT PIERCE - "Camelot" is one of Lerner and Loewe's masterpieces.
The story of King Arthur, Guinevere and Lancelot, adapted from T.H. White's "The Once and Future King," had its premiere during the Kennedy administration and, for many, became a symbol of that era.
A new tour of the show, with Canadian performers and presented by the producers of last year's "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels," comes to the Sunrise Theatre on Nov. 28.
Mark Harapiak, who plays King Arthur, spoke about the challenge of playing such a storied role.
"I feel a tremendous responsibility to the audience to play the role well," he said. "It's been played by Richard Burton and Richard Harris. He is tragic and, at the same time, heroic. He's such a powerful character, wonderfully flawed. What he creates is incredible, an idyllic society that falls apart partly because of the rules he creates. He can't take the law into his own hands."
The story of King Arthur, Guinevere and the young knight, Lancelot, has been told many times. The original stage version ran for five hours, but Mr. Harapiak said that this production is a good deal shorter.
"It's a real gem," he said. "Jayme Armstrong, who plays Guinevere, is an incredible performer. She's worked at the Stratford festival and she's a wonderful singer and a gifted actress. She's easy to fall in love with every night and to be heartbroken when she falls in love with Lancelot."
Gabriel Burrafato, who plays Lancelot, is an old friend of Mr. Harapiak's. The two have performed together several times in "Beauty and the Beast."
"History is repeating itself," Mr. Harapiak said. "We fought over the same woman in 'Beauty and the Beast,' too."
For the actor, the show is, first and foremost, a love story, although it has an underlying theme.
"There's a message of decency and hope for humanity. Even in his darkest moments, Arthur has a stirring speech. We wanted to show the honor and decency."
Mr. Harapiak's favorite song is "How to Handle a Woman," but he admits to having a soft spot for Lancelot's ballad, "If Ever I Would Leave You." The show has many memorable songs, including the comic "Then You Take Me to the Fair," "What Do the Simple Folk Do?" and the timeless "Camelot."
For Mr. Harapiak, the timeless quality of the show is embodied in the famous words from that song:
"Don't let it be forgot
That once there was a spot
For one brief, shining moment
That was known as Camelot."
The national touring company of "Camelot" comes to the Sunrise Theatre, 117 S. Second St., Fort Pierce, on Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $60 and $50. Call the box office at (772) 461-4775 or order online at www.sunrisetheatre.com.