Monty Python’s Spamalot Musical Comedy Worth Paying For
One of the problems with musical comedy is the fact that you pay Broadway prices for something that may or may not be funny to you. Monty Python’s Spamalot seems to have just the right mix of humor, hum-worthy tunes, and a decent story line to make for extremely satisfying musical comedy. If you are considering spending the money to see a musical comedy this year, this is definitely one worth considering.
The comedy actually begins before the curtain rises. At the outset of the show, the audience is told to “let your cell phones and pagers ring willy-nilly.” After a few laughs, the audience is then told “be aware there are heavily armed knights on stage that may drag you out and impale you.” This sets the tone for the type of humor of the entire show.
What is the plot of Spamalot? In a nutshell, it is the plot of the legend of Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The show is actually an attempt to turn the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail into a musical, but the story line of the play is quite a bit different than that of the movie. The parody of the Arthurian legend is very irreverent, poking fun at the story whenever possible in both music and prose. The play also laughs at traditional Broadway, especially with “The Song That Goes Like This,” which pokes fun at the traditional love song found in most Broadway productions.
Over the course of the play, Arthur is actually given the commission to perform a West End or Broadway musical, depending on where the performance is located. Parodies of successful musicals, such as Fiddler on the Roof and several of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s shows are sprinkled throughout the performance. The show even pokes fun at the proverbial “damsel in distress,” turning her into an effeminate young man who is the distressed individual who needs saving.
All in all, Spamalot is an irreverent look at an old legend and the role of the musical as entertainment. The plot is not the main focus of the play. The main focus is the humor, which is found in everything from the sets to the costumes to the lyrics.
Spamalot was written by Eric Idle, who was part of the Monty Python team. John Du Prez worked with Idle to write the music for the play. The original production, which opened in 2005, won three Tony Awards, including the coveted Best Musical title. It was nominated for a total of 14 Tony Awards.
The show began in Chicago in 2005, was eventually transferred to New York, and became an international production in 2006 when it opened in London’s West End. Other international productions include Melbourne and Barcelona. The show is scheduled to open in Germany in 2009. Spamalot has been popular in all areas where it has been released. Some of the reason for this popularity is the many references it makes to traditional Broadway shows. Theatergoers appreciate this lighthearted look at the art they so passionately love.
If you fancy some Monty Pythons Spamalot tickets or any other Theatre Tickets visit the website.
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