Stage Review: Spamalot

Definitely do not see this musical if you don't like Monty Python. You might think that goes without saying, but while in the ladies' room at intermission, I heard one person say "It's a little raunchy" and another say "I don't get it".

That being said, I don't think you really need to have the movie memorized to enjoy this musical, but you do have to have an appreciation of the style of humor unique to Monty Python. In the musical, let's say loosely, based on the movie "Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail". I appreciated that the musical was different enough from the movie that it didn't feel like watching my nerdy high school friends act out the movie, but that it also had all the scenes/famous lines you'd expect, as well as borrowing from a few other Python productions.

King Arthur, assisted by faithful Patsy, sets off on a quest to gather a band of knights, then find the Holy Grail. Along the way they encounter rude French soldiers, the Lady of the Lake, the Knights Who Say Ni and more. Progressing with a cheeky wink to the audience, they have shocking lavish musical numbers (including the show stopping "Find Your Grail") and without a doubt, the sparkliest costumes ever in one musical, and I saw Dreamgirls.

The musical has a far more fun and satisfying ending than the movie. I enjoyed it thoroughly, especially once it deviated from the movie. Even the program had several "joke" pages.

I don't plan to get the soundtrack to Spamalot, but I'd see it again if it came back.

4 out of 5 stars.