NEW ORLEANS – There is nothing better a traveling show can do than add a little New Orleans flair into the act opening night in the Crescent City. And when the touring company of Monty Python’s “Spamalot” began to sing the jingle to local personal injury attorney Juan Lafonta’s well-known commercials, the crowd went wild.
Based on the 1975 film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” “Spamalot” is the total and 100% accurately depicted history of the legend of King Author and his knights in a quest, brought by God, to find the Holy Grail. Opening originally in 2005, the musical by member of the Monty Python Comedy Group Eric Idle, was praised and awarded 14 Tony Award nominations, winning three, in its first run.
Following a successful stint at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in May of 2023, the production opened once again on Broadway in fall of 2023 for about eight months before closing with plans of a North American tour.
While one could argue that Monty Python humor is an acquired taste, there is no way anyone – who has ever laughed at any joke in the history of ever – could attend a production of “Spamalot” and not laugh out loud (a true LOL) at least once. Except maybe the people who were seated in front of me who left at intermission.
An editorial aside: While I am by no means a true critic of Broadway productions (fingers crossed for one day), it is my biggest pet peeve when people leave during intermission. I understand that things happen, whether emergency or not, but I will die on the hill of it being one of the rudest gestures to any form of art there could be. I have left exactly one show at intermission in my entire life and that was the last time “Cats” came to the Saenger. And anyone that has seen “Cats” should understand where I was coming from. Andrew Lloyd Weber, I truly don’t know what you were thinking with that one. I digress.
While the show is all around a good time, the touring company itself brought many heavily-talented individuals to the stage.
This paragraph, in particular, is an appreciation post for Amanda Robles. Robles plays “The Lady of the Lake” (see also: Guinevere) and is a stunningly talented individual. There is an entire number where she is basically a Las Vegas performer, but she sings multiple well-known songs in the style of Diva-level talent like Celine Dion with breathtaking ability. In a cast mainly focused on the male characters, even when singing “The Song that Goes Like This,” she stands out and well above the rest. Sorry, boys.
While Major Attaway’s performance of “King Arthur” was a master class in comedic expression, two characters blew me away with their ability to not only take over a moment, but paired physical comedy with incredible vocals. Blake Segal’s “Patsy” (while also appearing in the show as the “mayor” and “guard 2”) and Steven Telsey’s take on “Prince Hebert” (as well as “Not Dead Fred,” “Baby,” “Nun,” “Mime,” “Minstrel” and “Bunny”) were the production’s shining moments.
It’s something about the simplicity of a character and the nuance of physical comedy that, to me, is second to none. While I personally live in a world filled with days of “I Love Lucy” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” the nod to the classic style of humor that has been entertaining the masses for decades is an art that should continue to be studied and appreciated for years to come. I applaud these two actors.
Was “Spamalot” the best Broadway production I’ve ever seen? Apologies, but no. ALW’s “The Phantom of the Opera” will always and forever be the greatest piece of musical production to ever exist (fight me). But it was a delightful night out at the theater that made me forget how tired I had been from my work day and deeply appreciative of the people who have the talent and ability to get on a stage night after night and entertain the masses.
Thanks, Eric Idle (and team). Thanks to the touring company of “Spamalot.” A good show to end a great season of Broadway in New Orleans.
For those interested, tickets are still available for the New Orleans part of the tour. Click here to buy yours and for more information.
