Editing Spamalot

{{Short description|Musical comedy play by John Du Prez and Eric Idle}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox musical
|name=Spamalot
|image=Spamalot_poster.jpg
|caption=Broadway promotional poster
|music={{Plainlist|
* [[John Du Prez]]
* [[Eric Idle]]
}}
|lyrics= Eric Idle
|book= Eric Idle
|basis= {{Based on|''[[Monty Python and the Holy Grail]]''|[[Monty Python]]}}
| premiere_date = 21 December 2004
| premiere_location = [[PrivateBank Theatre|Shubert Theatre]], [[Chicago]]
|productions= 2004 [[Chicago theatre|Chicago]]<br/>2005 [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]]<br/>2006 [[West End theatre|West End]]<br/>2008 First North American tour<br/>2009 Second North American tour<br/> 2010 First UK tour<br />2012 West End revival<br />2013 Third North American tour<br />2015 Second UK tour<br />2017 Third UK tour<br />2023 Broadway [[Revival (theatre)|revival]]
|awards= [[Tony Award for Best Musical]] <br/> [[Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album|Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album]]
}}

'''''Spamalot''''' (also known as '''''Monty Python's Spamalot: A Musical (Lovingly) Ripped Off from the Motion Picture ''Monty Python and the Holy Grail''') is a [[musical theatre|stage musical]] with score by [[John Du Prez]] and [[Eric Idle]], with lyrics and book by Idle. Based on the 1975 film ''[[Monty Python and the Holy Grail]]'', the musical offers a highly irreverent parody of [[Arthurian legend]], with the title being a [[portmanteau]] of [[Spam (food)|Spam]] and [[Camelot]].

The original 2005 [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] production directed by [[Mike Nichols]] received 14 [[Tony Award]] nominations, winning in three categories, including [[Tony Award for Best Musical|Best Musical]]. During its initial run of 1,575 performances, the production was seen by more than two million people and grossed over $168 million.<ref name="playbillend" /> [[Tim Curry]] starred as [[King Arthur]] in the original Broadway and [[West End theatre|West End]] productions. It was one of eight UK musicals commemorated on [[Royal Mail]] stamps, issued in February 2011.<ref>{{cite news |title=Royal Mail musicals stamps set to rock you! |url=https://www.royalmailgroup.com/en/press-centre/press-releases/royal-mail/royal-mail-musicals-stamps-set-to-rock-you/ |access-date=27 April 2019 |agency=Royal Mail group}}</ref> 

A [[Paramount Pictures]] film adaptation, directed by [[Casey Nicholaw]] in his directorial debut from a script by Idle, was in pre-production as of 2021.<ref name="Deadline Hollywood">{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/spamalot-paramount-pictures-movie-musical-eric-idle-casey-nicholaw-monty-python-and-the-holy-grail-1234665944/|title = Paramount Acquires Monty Python Musical 'Spamalot'; Casey Nicholaw Directing Eric Idle Script|date = 6 January 2021}}</ref> Idle later stated on [[Twitter]] that the film would not be made due to two other of his former colleagues vetoing the project.<ref name="twitter.com">{{Cite tweet|author=Eric Idle|author link=Eric Idle|user=EricIdle|number=1630577631233212416|title=One of the best things about the Pythons killing the movie is that Spamalot the stage Show is coming back big time. I love it! See todays news! @TRWShows}}</ref>

==Synopsis==

===Before the show===
A recording encourages members of the audience to "let your cell phones and pagers ring willy-nilly," and comments that they should "be aware there are heavily armed knights on stage that may drag you on stage and impale you." This was recorded by [[Eric Idle]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nypost.com/2008/02/01/cellphones-a-big-hang-up/ |title=Cellphones a Big Hang-Up |first=Barbara |last=Hoffman |newspaper=[[New York Post]]|date=1 February 2008}}</ref>

===Act I===
A historian narrates a brief overview of [[medieval]] England. In a miscommunication between the actors and the narrator, the actors sing an introductory song about [[Finland]] ("[[The Fish-Slapping Dance|Fisch Schlapping Song]]"). The Historian returns, irritated, and tells the frolicking Finns that he was talking about England, not Finland.  The scene immediately changes to a dreary, dark village with penitent [[monk]]s in hooded robes chanting [[Latin]] and hitting themselves with books ("Monk's Chant"). [[King Arthur]] travels the land with his servant, Patsy, who follows him around banging two coconut shells together to make the sound of a horse's hooves as Arthur "rides" before him. Arthur aims to recruit [[Knights of the Round Table]] to join him in [[Camelot]] ("King Arthur's Song"). Arthur and Patsy encounter a pair of sentries who begin debating the probability of finding a coconut in a non-tropical climate.

Robin, a collector of [[Plague (disease)|plague]] victims, and [[Sir Lancelot|Lancelot]], a handsome and hot-tempered man, meet as Lancelot attempts to dispose of the sickly Not Dead Fred. Although a plague victim, the man insists that he is not dead yet and he can dance and sing. He begins performing a dance number, but is soon knocked unconscious with a shovel by an impatient Lancelot ("He Is Not Dead Yet"). Lancelot and Robin agree to become Knights together; Lancelot wants to fight in battles, and Robin wants to sing and dance professionally. Not Dead Fred revives, declaring he will serve as Robin's musician, only to be promptly killed by Lancelot. 

While attempting to recruit a peasant named Dennis Galahad, Arthur explains that he became King of England because the [[Lady of the Lake]] gave him [[Excalibur]], the sword given only to the man fit to rule England. However, Dennis and his mother, Mrs. Galahad, are [[Political radicalism|political radicals]] and say that any king who has not been elected by the people has no legitimate right to rule over them. To settle the issue, Arthur asks the Lady of the Lake and her Laker Girls (named after the [[Laker Girls|cheerleading squad]]) to appear before Dennis, which they promptly do ("Come with Me"). Cheered on by the girls ("Laker Girls Cheer"), the Lady of the Lake turns Dennis into [[Sir Galahad]] and together, they sing a generic Broadway love song ("The Song That Goes Like This"). Arthur knights Galahad, and subsequently Robin and Lancelot. Together with [[Bedevere|Sir Bedevere]] and the "aptly named" Sir Not-Appearing-In-This-Show, a knight resembling [[Don Quixote]] who promptly apologises and leaves, they become the Knights of the Round Table ("All for One").

Arthur and the four knights gather in Camelot, a deliberately anachronistic place resembling [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas's]] Camelot-inspired [[Excalibur Hotel|Excalibur resort]], complete with showgirls, oversized dice and the Lady of the Lake as a lounge singer reminiscent of [[Liza Minnelli]] ("Knights of the Round Table"/"The Song That Goes Like This (Reprise)"). In the midst of their revelry, they are contacted by [[Portrayals of God in popular media|God]] (a recording voiced by [[John Cleese]] in the original Broadway production, Eric Idle in the version that toured the UK, and [[Steve Martin]] in the Broadway revival), who tells them to locate the [[Holy Grail]]. 

Urged on by the Lady of the Lake ("Find Your Grail"), the knights set off. They travel throughout the land until they reach a castle, only to be viciously taunted by lewd [[French people|French]] soldiers. Bedevere comes up with the idea to retaliate by sending them a large wooden rabbit in the style of the [[Trojan horse]]; however, the knights realize after the fact that they forgot to hide inside the rabbit before the French soldiers took it.  Defeated, they leave in a hurry when the French soldiers begin taunting them again, sending [[cancan]] dancers after them and throwing barnyard animals at them ("Run Away!"). Arthur and his followers manage to run into the safety of the wings before the French soldiers catapult the Trojan rabbit at them.

===Act II===
The knights are separated after the French soldiers' attack. Arthur and Patsy become lost in a "dark and very expensive forest". Arthur meets the terrifying but silly [[Knights Who Say Ni]], who demand a [[shrubbery]]. Arthur has no idea where to find a shrubbery, but Patsy cheers him up ("[[Always Look on the Bright Side of Life]]") and they find a shrubbery shortly after. Sir Robin wanders the forest with his minstrels ("Brave Sir Robin"), and they encounter the [[Black Knight (Monty Python)|Black Knight]], who scares Robin away. Arthur then encounters the Black Knight and defeats him by cutting off both his arms and legs, impaling his still-alive torso on a door, and leaving to give the shrubbery to the Knights Who Say Ni. 

Arthur and Robin reunite. The Knights Who Say Ni accept the shrubbery, but then demand that Arthur put on a musical and bring it to Broadway "but not an [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]]", with the mere mention of his name causing everyone to cover their ears and scream in pain (in the [[United Kingdom]], this became a [[West End theatre|West End]] musical; on the tour, they must put on a "Broadway musical"). Robin insists that it would be impossible to accomplish this next task, since a successful Broadway (or West End) musical requires the involvement of [[Jew]]s ("You Won't Succeed on Broadway"). Robin proves his point in a wild production number filled with [[Ashkenazi Jewish]] cultural references, a list of Jewish celebrities known for their work on Broadway (including [[Bette Midler]], [[Barbra Streisand]], [[Stephen Sondheim]], and as a joke in the 2023 revival, [[George Santos]]), and a ''[[Fiddler on the Roof]]'' parody involving a bottle dance with Grails instead of bottles. Arthur and Patsy promptly set off in search of Jews. 

(In countries that don't have a tradition of Jews in the theatre, the lyrics of "You Won't Succeed on Broadway" are sometimes changed to instead describe the high production standards and acting talent needed to stage a successful musical in that country.  For example, in the [[South Korea]]n version, Sir Robin sings about recent successful musicals that were staged in [[Seoul]] during the previous decade.  Meanwhile, members of the ensemble appear onstage dressed as various characters from those musicals.  Among these characters are a cat from ''[[Cats (musical)|Cats]]'', Kenickie from ''[[Grease (musical)|Grease]]'', Kim from ''[[Miss Saigon]]'', [[Erik (The Phantom of the Opera)|the Phantom]] from ''[[The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical)|The Phantom of the Opera]]'', and [[Velma Kelly]] from ''[[Chicago (musical)|Chicago]]''.)

While the Lady of the Lake laments her lack of stage time ("Diva's Lament (What Ever Happened to My Part?)"), Sir Lancelot receives a letter of distress from someone who is being forced into an [[arranged marriage]]. He is very surprised to find that the supposed "[[damsel in distress]]" is actually an effeminate young man named Prince Herbert ("Where Are You?"). Herbert asks Lancelot to help him escape. Herbert's music-hating father, the King of Swamp Castle, cuts the rope that Herbert is using to climb out of the window, and Herbert falls to his apparent death. Lancelot is a bit puzzled at the king's actions, but it is revealed that Herbert was saved at the last minute by Lancelot's sidekick, Concorde. When Herbert begins to explain, in song, how he was saved, the king charges at Herbert with a spear, preparing to kill him. Lancelot steps in to save Herbert, then gives a tearful, heartfelt speech to the king about sensitivity on Herbert's behalf. The king correctly guesses that Lancelot is [[homosexual]], and Herbert helps Lancelot accept his sexuality in a disco number ("His Name Is Lancelot"). 

King Arthur begins to give up hope of ever putting on a Broadway musical and laments that he is alone, ignoring Patsy ("I'm All Alone"). The Lady of the Lake appears and tells Arthur that he and the Knights have been in a Broadway musical all along (in some productions she also points out Patsy's presence, to which Arthur claims that he sees Patsy as "family" and thus does not always consider him a separate person). Patsy reveals he is half Jewish, but did not previously inform Arthur because "that's not really the sort of thing you say to a heavily armed [[Christians|Christian]]." The Lady of the Lake tells Arthur that to end the musical, he must find the Grail and marry someone. Arthur proposes to the Lady of the Lake, and she happily accepts. They plan to marry after Arthur finds the Grail ("Twice in Every Show").

The knights reunite and meet Tim the Enchanter, who warns them of the danger of a [[Rabbit of Caerbannog|killer rabbit]]. When the rabbit bites a knight's head off, Arthur uses the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch against it, knocking down a nearby hill and revealing that the "evil rabbit" was actually a puppet controlled by a surprised puppeteer. A large stone block showing a combination of letters and numbers is also revealed. (The letters are based on the seat numbering system used by each theatre. They are changed from performance to performance to discourage audience members from intentionally booking any of the possible seats.  The seat is typically on the aisle in one of the first few rows nearest the orchestra. In the Broadway production and on the tour it is either A101, B101, C101 or D101; i.e., Seat 101 – which is [[blocking (stage)|house right]] of the center aisle – of Rows A, B, C, or D.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130216185534/http://shubertorg.com/images/upload/sc_shubert(2).gif Shubert Theatre (New York) seating chart]</ref> In the West End production a word is revealed – DONE, CONE or BONE, referring to D1, C1 and B1 respectively.) 

After pondering the final clue, Arthur admits that they're "a bit stumped with the clue thing" and asks God to "give them a hand". A large hand points to the audience and Arthur realises that the letters and numbers refer to a seat number in the audience. The grail is "found" (with some [[sleight of hand]]) under the seat, and the person sitting in the seat is rewarded with a small trophy and a [[Instant camera|polaroid]] photo ("The Holy Grail"). Arthur marries the Lady of the Lake (who reveals that her name is Guinevere) and Lancelot marries Herbert, who finally gets a chance to sing. Sir Robin decides to pursue a career in [[musical theatre]]. The King of Swamp Castle attempts to interrupt the finale and stop all of the "bloody singing", but Lancelot knocks him unconscious with a shovel. The company then invites the audience to partake in a sing-along of "[[Always Look on the Bright Side of Life]]". ("Act 2 Finale / Always Look on the Bright Side of Life (Company Bow)").

==Musical numbers==
Eric Idle wrote the musical's [[libretto|book and lyrics]] and collaborated with [[John Du Prez]] on the music, except for "Finland", which was written by [[Michael Palin]] for ''[[Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album]]''; "Knights of the Round Table" and "Brave Sir Robin", which were composed by [[Neil Innes]] for ''[[Monty Python and the Holy Grail]]''; and "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life", which was originally written by Idle for the film ''[[Monty Python's Life of Brian]]''.

{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
; Act I
* Overture – Orchestra
* "[[The Fish-Slapping Dance|Fisch Schlapping Song]]" – Mayor, Ensemble
* "Monk's Chant" – Monks
* "King Arthur’s Song" – King Arthur, Patsy**
* "He Is Not Dead Yet" – Not Dead Fred, Lancelot, Robin, Men
* "Come with Me" – Lady of the Lake
* "Laker Girls Cheer" – King Arthur, Patsy, Laker Girls
* "The Song That Goes Like This" – Galahad, Lady of the Lake, Women
* "All for One" – King Arthur, Patsy, Robin, Lancelot, Galahad, Bedevere
* "Knights of the Round Table/The Song That Goes Like This (Reprise)" – King Arthur, Patsy, Lancelot, Robin, Galahad, Bedevere, Lady of the Lake, Company
* "Find Your Grail" – Lady of the Lake, King Arthur, Company
* "Run Away!" – The French Taunter, French Guards, King Arthur, Patsy, Robin, Lancelot, Galahad, Bedevere, Company

{{col-2}}
; Act II
* "[[Always Look on the Bright Side of Life]]" – Patsy, King Arthur, Men
* "Brave Sir Robin" – Minstrels
* "You Won't Succeed on Broadway" – Robin, Ensemble‡
* "Diva's Lament (What Ever Happened to My Part?)" – Lady of the Lake
* "Where Are You?" – Prince Herbert
* "His Name Is Lancelot" – Lancelot, Prince Herbert, Men
* "I'm All Alone" – King Arthur, Patsy, Men
* "Twice in Every Show" - King Arthur, Lady of The Lake
* "The Holy Grail" – King Arthur, Patsy, Lancelot, Robin, Galahad, Bedevere** 
* "Finale" – Herbert, Lancelot, Robin, King Arthur, Lady of the Lake, Company
* "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life (Company Bow)" – Company
{{col-end}}
<nowiki>**</nowiki>Does not appear on the [[Cast recording|original cast album]].
===Notes===
The song "You Won't Succeed on Broadway" was changed to "You Won't Succeed in Showbiz" for the London production and later replaced with the "Star Song" on the UK tour.

==Characters==

===Court of Camelot===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
* [[King Arthur]] of Britain
* Sir [[Lancelot]] the Homicidally Brave
* Sir Robin, the Not-Quite-So-Brave-as-Sir-Lancelot-Who-Slew-the-Chicken-of-Bristol-and-Who-Had-Personally-Wet-Himself-at-the-Battle-of-Baden-Hill
* Sir [[Galahad|Dennis Galahad]], the Dashingly Handsome
* Sir [[Bedivere|Bedevere]], the Strangely Flatulent
{{col-break}}
* Patsy, King Arthur's trusty servant/steed and constant companion
* Concorde, Lancelot's trusty servant/steed
* Brother Maynard, Camelot's clergyman
* Sir [[Bors]]
* Sir Not-Appearing-In-This-Show, dressed as [[Don Quixote]]
{{col-end}}

===Other characters===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
* The [[Lady of the Lake]]
* Not Dead Fred
* Robin's Lead Minstrel
* The King of Swamp Castle (a.k.a. Herbert's Father)
* Prince Herbert
* French Taunter
* [[Black Knight (Monty Python)|The Black Knight]]
* The [[Knights Who Say Ni|Head Knight Who Says "Ni!"]]
* Tim the Enchanter
* Mrs Galahad
{{col-break}}
* The Killer [[Rabbit of Caerbannog]]
* Swamp Castle Guards
* Two Sentries
* Historian: the Narrator
* The Laker Girls
* Knights of the Round Table
* Robin's Minstrels
* [[Portrayals of God in popular media|God]]
* Holder of the Holy Grail
{{col-end}}
===Doubling of parts===
In tribute to the film, where six actors played the majority of the male parts (and a few female ones), several actors play multiple roles; the only major characters not doubling are Arthur and the Lady of the Lake. In the Broadway production, the following doubling is used:

* Lancelot/2nd Sentry/The French Taunter/Knight of Ni/Tim the Enchanter
* Robin/1st Sentry/Brother Maynard/2nd Guard
* Galahad/King of Swamp Castle/Black Knight
* Patsy/Mayor of [[Finland]]/1st Guard
* Bedevere/Mrs Galahad/Concorde
* The Historian/Prince Herbert/Not Dead Fred/Lead Minstrel/The French Taunter's Best Friend

[[Sara Ramirez]] doubled as a witch and a cow in the Chicago previews, but both parts were cut during the pre-Broadway run.<ref name="critic">{{cite news| url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2005-01-23-0501230273-story.html| title=By trimming the fat, 'Spamalot' adds flavor| first=Michael| last=Phillips| newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]| date=23 January 2005 |language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-13}}</ref> Several pairs of characters originally played by the same Monty Python member were reduced to one: the Dead Collector and Sir Robin (Idle), the Large Man with a Dead Body and Sir Lancelot (Cleese), and Dennis the {{Sic|?|hide=y|Politically|-}}Active Peasant and Sir Galahad (Michael Palin). In the 2023 production, the actor playing the Historian does not portray the French Taunter's best friend, but instead plays a mime, as well as a baby and a nun.

==Notable casts==<!-- ONLY PLACE CASTING HERE ONCE THE PRODUCTION HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN PERFORMANCES!!! -->
{|class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
|-
! rowspan="2" | Role
! Broadway
! West End 
! West End Revival
! Broadway Revival
|-
! <small>2005</small>
! <small>2006</small>
! <small>2012</small>
! <small>2023</small>
|-
! [[King Arthur]]
| colspan="2" align="center" | [[Tim Curry]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Marcus Brigstocke]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[James Monroe Iglehart]]
|-
! [[Lady of the Lake|The Lady of the Lake]]
| colspan="1" align="center" | [[Sara Ramirez]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Hannah Waddingham]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Bonnie Langford]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Leslie Kritzer|Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer]]
|-
! [[Sir Lancelot]]
| colspan="1" align="center" | [[Hank Azaria]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Tom Goodman-Hill]]
| style="text-align:center;" | Kit Orton
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Taran Killam]]
|-
! Patsy
| colspan="1" align="center" | [[Michael McGrath (actor)|Michael McGrath]]
| style="text-align:center;" | David Birrell
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Todd Carty]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Christopher Fitzgerald (actor)|Christopher Fitzgerald]]
|-
! Sir Robin
| colspan="1" align="center" | [[David Hyde Pierce]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Robert Hands]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Rob Delaney]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Michael Urie]]
|-
! [[Sir Galahad]]
| colspan="2" align="center" | [[Christopher Sieber]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Jon Robyns]]
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Nik Walker]]
|-
! [[Sir Bedevere]]
| colspan="1" align="center" | Steve Rosen
| style="text-align:center;" | Tony Timberlake
| style="text-align:center;" | Robin Armstrong
| style="text-align:center;" | [[Jimmy Smagula]]
|-
! Prince Herbert
| rowspan="2" align="center" | [[Christian Borle]]
| rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;" | Darren Southworth
| rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;" | Adam Ellis
| rowspan=2 style="text-align:center;"  | [[Ethan Slater]]
|-
! The Historian
|}

===Notable cast replacements===

==== Broadway (2005-2009) ====
*'''King Arthur:''' [[Simon Russell Beale]], [[John Bolton (actor)|John Bolton]], [[Harry Groener]], [[Jonathan Hadary]], [[Stephen Collins (actor)|Stephen Collins]], [[Michael Siberry]], [[John O'Hurley]]
*'''Sir Lancelot:''' [[Steve Kazee]], [[Alan Tudyk]], [[Richard Holmes (actor)|Rick Holmes]]
*'''Sir Robin:''' [[Martin Moran (actor)|Martin Moran]], [[Clay Aiken]], [[Robert Petkoff]]
*'''The Lady of the Lake:''' [[Lauren Kennedy]], [[Marin Mazzie]], [[Hannah Waddingham]], [[Merle Dandridge]]
*'''Patsy:''' [[David Hibbard (stage actor)|David Hibbard]], [[Drew Lachey]]
*'''Sir Galahad:''' [[Lewis Cleale]], [[Bradley Dean]]
*'''Sir Bedevere:''' [[Brad Oscar]]
*'''Prince Herbert:''' [[Tom Deckman (actor)|Tom Deckman]]

==== West End (2006-2009) ====
*'''King Arthur:''' [[Simon Russell Beale]], [[Peter Davison]], [[Sanjeev Bhaskar]]
*'''Sir Lancelot:''' [[Bill Ward (actor)|Bill Ward]]
*'''The Lady of the Lake:''' [[Marin Mazzie]], [[Nina Söderquist]]<ref>[http://london.broadway.com/story/id/3009389 Nina Söderquist Wins Swedish Reality TV Contest to Star in Spamalot], Broadway.com in London, 3 February 2008</ref>
*'''Sir Galahad:''' [[Michael Xavier]]

==== West End Revival (2012-2014) ====
*'''King Arthur:''' [[Stephen Tompkinson]], [[Joe Pasquale]], [[Les Dennis]], [[Richard McCourt]]
*'''The Lady of the Lake:''' [[Anna-Jane Casey]], [[Carley Stenson]]
*'''Sir Lancelot:''' [[Daniel Boys]]
*'''Patsy:''' [[Warwick Davis]], [[Dominic Wood]]

==== Broadway Revival (2023-2024) ====
*'''Sir Lancelot:''' [[Alex Brightman]]
*'''Sir Robin:''' [[Jonathan Bennett (actor)|Jonathan Bennett]]<ref name=JonathanBennett>[https://playbill.com/article/mean-girls-star-jonathan-bennett-to-make-broadway-debut-in-spamalot Jonathan Bennett Announcement]</ref>

==Production history==
===Chicago (2005)===
[[File:SpamALotTicket.png|thumb|right|A ticket from the first preview show]]
Previews of the show began in [[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]]'s Shubert Theatre (now the [[CIBC Theatre]]) on 21 December 2004; the show officially opened there on 9 January 2005.

Two musical numbers were dropped from Act One while the production was still in Chicago.<ref name="critic"/> During the scene set in the "Witch Village", the [[torch song]] "Burn Her!" was originally performed by [[Bedivere|Sir Bedevere]], The Witch, Sir Robin, [[Lancelot]] and Villagers. At the French Castle, "The Cow Song", in a parody of a stereotypical [[film noir]]/[[cabaret]] style, was performed by The Cow and French Citizens. Before the two songs were cut in Chicago, the lead vocals in both songs were sung by [[Sara Ramirez]]. This gave the Lady of the Lake six songs in Act One, but no further appearances until scene five in Act Two, for "The Diva's Lament".

===Broadway (2005-09)===
[[File:Azariaspamalot.jpg|200px|thumb|[[Hank Azaria]] in the Broadway production of ''Spamalot''.]]
The musical previewed on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]], at [[New York City|New York]]'s [[Shubert Theatre (Broadway)|Shubert Theatre]], beginning 14 February 2005, ahead of an official opening on 17 March. [[Mike Nichols]] directed, and [[Casey Nicholaw]] choreographed.  The production won the [[Tony Award for Best Musical]] and was nominated for 14 Tony Awards at the [[59th Tony Awards]]. The show played its final performance on 11 January 2009 after 35 previews and 1,575 performances; it was seen by more than two million people and grossed over $168 million, recouping its initial production costs in under six months.<ref name="playbillend">{{cite web | last=Gans | first=Andrew | url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/123622.html | title=Spamalot Will Now Close Jan.&nbsp;11, 2009 | work=[[Playbill]] | date=21 November 2008 | access-date=25 October 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227134801/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/123622.html | archive-date=27 December 2008}}</ref>

The original Broadway cast included [[Tim Curry]] as [[King Arthur]], [[Michael McGrath (actor)|Michael McGrath]] as Patsy and other roles (e.g., the lazy Castle Guard and the Mayor of Finland), [[David Hyde Pierce]] as Sir Robin and other roles (e.g., Brother Maynard and the daft Castle Guard), [[Hank Azaria]] as Sir Lancelot and other roles (e.g., the French Taunter, [[Knights who say Ni|Knight of Ni]], and Tim the Enchanter), [[Christopher Sieber]] as [[Sir Galahad]] and other roles (e.g., the Black Knight and Prince Herbert's Father), and Sara Ramirez as the [[Lady of the Lake]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Look Back at Tim Curry, Hank Azaria, Sara Ramirez, and More in Spamalot on Broadway |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/look-back-at-tim-curry-hank-azaria-sara-ramirez-and-more-in-spamalot-on-broadway |access-date=20 August 2019 |work=Playbill}}</ref> It also included [[Christian Borle]] as Prince Herbert and other roles (e.g., the Historian and Not Dead Fred), Steve Rosen as Sir Bedevere and other roles (e.g., Concorde and Dennis's Mother) and [[John Cleese]] as the (recorded) Voice of [[God]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Monty Python's John Cleese and Eric Idle Have a Message for You |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/monty-pythons-john-cleese-and-eric-idle-have-a-message-for-you |access-date=20 August 2019 |work=Playbill}}</ref>

===West End (2006-09)===
[[File:Palace theatre spamalot.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Spamalot showing at the Palace Theatre in October 2008]]
A [[London]] production opened at the [[Palace Theatre, London|Palace Theatre]] on [[Shaftesbury Avenue]] in the [[West End theatre|West End]], commencing 30 September 2006 (London premiere 16 October). Tim Curry and Christopher Sieber reprised their roles from the Broadway production. They were joined by [[Hannah Waddingham]] as the Lady of the Lake, [[Tom Goodman-Hill]] as Sir Lancelot, [[Robert Hands]] as Sir Robin, David Birrell as Patsy, Tony Timberlake as Sir Bedevere and Darren Southworth as Prince Herbert. The London production closed on 3 January 2009.

=== First national tour (2006–09) ===
[[File:Natl Theatre Washington.JPG|thumb|right|200px|''Spamalot'''s North American tour took it to Washington, D.C.'s [[National Theatre (Washington, D.C.)|National Theatre]] in May 2006.]]
A [[North America]]n tour commenced in spring 2006, and the cast included [[Michael Siberry]] as King Arthur (replaced by [[Gary Beach]] in 2008), Jeff Dumas as Patsy, [[Richard Holmes (actor)|Richard Holmes]] as Lancelot, [[Bradley Dean]] as Galahad and [[Tom Deckman]] as The Historian.<ref name="Popejoy1">Colón, Brian S. (ed.), "Popejoy Presents Broadway in New Mexico: The 2007–2008 Season", Popejoy Hall, [[University of New Mexico]], 2007; [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]]</ref> [[Richard Chamberlain]] later joined the tour as King Arthur.<ref>Gans, Andrew. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/123476.html "Chamberlain Will Be King in Spamalot Tour in 2009"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130011555/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/123476.html |date=30 January 2009 }}, ''Playbill'', 18 November 2008</ref><ref>[http://www.montypythonsspamalot.com/spamalot_tickets_info.php tour information] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120910165624/http://www.montypythonsspamalot.com/spamalot_tickets_info.php |date=10 September 2012 }} montypythonsspamalot.com. Retrieved 26 February 2009</ref> The tour continued through the summer 2009, and played its final performances at the Segerstrom Hall in [[Costa Mesa]] where it closed on 18 October 2009.<ref>[http://www.montypythonsspamalot.com/spamalot_tickets_info.php Tour info] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120910165624/http://www.montypythonsspamalot.com/spamalot_tickets_info.php |date=10 September 2012 }}</ref>

===Las Vegas (2007-08)===
A production of the musical began in [[Las Vegas, Nevada]], previewed on 8 March 2007 and opened on 31 March 2007 at the [[Wynn Las Vegas]] in the newly renamed Grail Theater. As with other Las Vegas transfers of Broadway musicals, including ''[[The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical)|The Phantom of the Opera]]'', ''Spamalot'' was condensed to run in ninety minutes without an intermission. Among the cuts were the song "All For One", most of the song "Run Away", the [[Knights Who Say "Ni!"|Knights of Ni]] receiving their shrubbery, and the "Make sure he doesn't leave" scene with Prince Herbert's guards.<ref>{{cite web |date=31 March 2007 |title='Spamalot' brings Python double talk to the Strip |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2007/Mar-31-Sat-2007/news/13502948.html |work=[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]]}}</ref>

Actor [[John O'Hurley]] starred as King Arthur, with [[J Anthony Crane]] playing Lancelot<!--Not to be confused with porno "actor" [[Anthony Crane]]!-->.<ref>{{cite web |date=23 January 2007 |title=Spamalot betting on shelf life |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2007/Jan-23-Tue-2007/news/12136144.html |work=[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]]}}</ref> Due to the Las Vegas production, the North American touring company would not perform in [[California]], [[Arizona]], or [[Nevada]].<ref name="wynnwoos">{{cite news |date=25 July 2005 |title=Wynn Woos 'Spamalot' West |publisher=[[CBS]] |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wynn-woos-spamalot-west/}}</ref> Although initially contracted to run for up to ten years<ref name="wynnwoos" /> its final performance was on 18 July 2008.

=== UK tour (2010-12) ===
A UK tour scheduled for later in 2009 was initially postponed, the producers commenting "Due to unforeseen circumstances the UK Tour of Spamalot will not be taking place as scheduled in 2009",<ref>{{cite web |title=mayflower.org.uk |url=http://www.mayflower.org.uk/news.asp?news=107 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100318023357/http://www.mayflower.org.uk/news.asp?news=107 |archive-date=18 March 2010 |access-date=21 November 2014}}</ref> but eventually started at the [[New Wimbledon Theatre]] on 29 May – 5 June 2010.<ref>Shenton, Mark. [http://www.playbill.com/news/article/137874-Monty-Pythons-Spamalot-to-Tour-UK-Starting-in-May-Jodie-Prenger-Stars "Monty Python's Spamalot to Tour U.K. Starting in May; Jodie Prenger Stars"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605125740/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/137874-Monty-Pythons-Spamalot-to-Tour-UK-Starting-in-May-Jodie-Prenger-Stars|date=5 June 2011}} ''Playbill'', 15 March 2010</ref> [[Phill Jupitus]]<ref>{{cite web |title=spamalotontour.co.uk |url=http://www.spamalotontour.co.uk/cast_creatives/phill_jupitus |access-date=21 November 2014 |archive-date=29 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129155829/http://www.spamalotontour.co.uk/cast_creatives/phill_jupitus |url-status=dead }}</ref> played King Arthur in the UK tour.
[[Todd Carty]] played Patsy, assistant to King Arthur for the duration of the tour.<ref>{{cite web |title=spamalotontour.co.uk |url=http://www.spamalotontour.co.uk/cast_creatives/todd_carty |access-date=21 November 2014 |archive-date=29 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129155827/http://www.spamalotontour.co.uk/cast_creatives/todd_carty |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Marcus Brigstocke]] made his musical theatre debut as King Arthur following Jupitus' departure. [[Jodie Prenger]], [[Hayley Tamaddon]], [[Amy Nuttall]] and [[Jessica Martin]] shared the role of The Lady of the Lake.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paddock |first=Terri |date=16 March 2010 |title=Jodie Prenger Joins Spamalot, Rhydian Has War |url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831268748681/Jodie+Prenger+Joins+Spamalot%2C+Rhydian+Has+War.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100322190556/http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831268748681/Jodie+Prenger+Joins+Spamalot,+Rhydian+Has+War.html |archive-date=22 March 2010 |access-date=21 March 2010 |publisher=What's on Stage.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Paddock |first=Terri |date=29 March 2010 |title=Spamalot Crowns Brigstocke, Nicholas' Pirate King |url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831269862115/Spamalot+Crowns+Brigstocke%2C+Nicholas%92+Pirate+King.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209113205/http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/theatre/london/E8831269862115/Spamalot+Crowns+Brigstocke,+Nicholas%92+Pirate+King.html |archive-date=9 February 2013 |access-date=30 March 2010 |publisher=What's on Stage.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Spamalot UK Tour Cast |url=http://www.spamalotontour.co.uk/cast_creatives |access-date=21 November 2014 |archive-date=11 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311172612/http://spamalotontour.co.uk/cast_creatives |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The UK tour also featured for the first time a re-working of the song "You Won't Succeed on Broadway" which has been renamed "You Won't Succeed in Showbiz". The theme of the song has been changed from poking fun at the need for [[Jewish]] input into Broadway productions and instead mocks the cross over of celebrities in musicals and reality television competitions such as ''[[The X Factor (UK)|The X Factor]]''. It notably pokes fun at reality TV celebrities including [[Simon Cowell]], [[Cheryl Cole]] and [[Susan Boyle]] (who is shot by Sir Robin when she begins to sing).<ref>{{cite web |author=The Public Reviews |title=thepublicreviews.com |url=http://www.thepublicreviews.com/spamalot-mayflower-theatre-southampton/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202112946/http://www.thepublicreviews.com/spamalot-mayflower-theatre-southampton/ |archive-date=2 December 2014 |access-date=21 November 2014 |work=The Public Reviews}}</ref>

After the West End revival (2012-14), the production toured again from April 2015 starring [[Joe Pasquale]], [[Todd Carty]] and [[Sarah Earnshaw]].

=== Second/Third national tour (2010–13) ===
A second North American tour launched on 24 September 2010 from [[Waterbury, Connecticut]], and ended 26 June 2011 in [[Dallas, Texas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.phoenix-ent.com/shows-spamalot.htm|title=phoenix-ent.com|access-date=21 November 2014}}</ref> This tour featured a non-[[Actors' Equity Association|Equity]] cast that included [[Caroline Bowman]] as the Lady of the Lake.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ericidle.com/spamalot/|title=Spamalot: The Complete and Utter History|work=ericidle.com|access-date=24 July 2019}}</ref> Another non-Equity North American tour was undertaken in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.montypythonsspamalot.com/spamalot_tickets_info.php |title=Monty Python's Spamalot - A Musical Now Playing on Tour |access-date=2009-06-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120910165624/http://www.montypythonsspamalot.com/spamalot_tickets_info.php |archive-date=10 September 2012}}</ref>

=== West End revival (2012-14) ===
The touring production played a limited seven-week run in the West End during the summer of 2012 at the [[Harold Pinter Theatre]].<ref>{{cite web |date=18 May 2012 |title=Spamalot Tour to Move into Harold Pinter Theatre in July |url=http://blog.musicaltheatrenews.com/2012/05/spamalot-tour-to-move-into-harold.html |access-date=16 January 2014 |work=musicaltheatrenews.com |publisher=Musical Theatre News}}</ref> [[Marcus Brigstocke]] shared the role of King Arthur with [[Jon Culshaw]] for those seven weeks, with [[Bonnie Langford]] playing Lady of the Lake. The production moved to the [[Playhouse Theatre]] on 14 November 2012, and ran until 12 April 2014.<ref>{{cite web |date=1 August 2013 |title=Spamalot cast update at Playhouse Theatre |url=http://www.londontheatre.co.uk/londontheatre/news/au13/spamalot11747.htm |access-date=12 January 2014 |work=londontheatre.co.uk |publisher=London Theatre |archive-date=12 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112162953/http://www.londontheatre.co.uk/londontheatre/news/au13/spamalot11747.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Bannister |first=Rosie |date=7 March 2014 |title=Headlong's 1984 takes over from Spamalot at Playhouse Theatre from April |url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/london-theatre/news/03-2014/headlongs-1984-takes-over-from-spamalot-at-playhou_33768.html |access-date=25 March 2014 |publisher=What's on Stage}}</ref> During 2013 a number of celebrities each played the part of God for a week in aid of charity, including [[Brian Cox (physicist)|Professor Brian Cox]], [[Gary Lineker]], [[Barbara Windsor]], [[Brian May]] and [[Michael Palin]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Spamalot Latest News Monty Python Spamalot in London 2013 |url=http://www.spamalotwestend.co.uk/news |access-date=20 November 2013}}</ref>

Other notable cast members during the run of the West End revival included [[Stephen Tompkinson]], [[Joe Pasquale]], [[Les Dennis]] and [[Richard McCourt]] as King Arthur, [[Anna-Jane Casey]] and [[Carley Stenson]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Carley Stenson as Lady of The Lake |url=http://www.spamalotwestend.co.uk/cast_creatives/carley_stenson |access-date=21 November 2014}}</ref> as Lady of the Lake, [[Warwick Davis]] and [[Dominic Wood]] as Patsy, [[Daniel Boys]] as Sir Lancelot, [[Jon Robyns]] as Sir Galahad and [[Rob Delaney]] as Sir Robin.<ref>{{cite web |title=kenwright.com |url=http://kenwright.com/index.php?id=1113 |access-date=21 November 2014}}</ref>

=== Hollywood Bowl (2015) ===
A three evening performance at the [[Hollywood Bowl]] was undertaken in 2015, with Eric Idle appearing in the role of The Historian, and other cast members including [[Christian Slater]], [[Jesse Tyler Ferguson]], [[Craig Robinson (actor)|Craig Robinson]], [[Merle Dandridge]], [[Warwick Davis]], [[Kevin Chamberlin]] and Rick Holmes. The script was updated and included many [[Los Angeles]] specific jokes.

=== Kennedy Center and Broadway revival (2023) ===
The [[Kennedy Center for Performing Arts]] staged Spamalot in the Eisenhower Theater as part of their Broadway Center Stage series from May 12-23, 2023. Directed and choreographed by Josh Rhodes, the production starred [[James Monroe Iglehart]] as King Arthur, [[Alex Brightman]] as Sir Lancelot, [[Leslie Kritzer|Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer]] as the Lady of the Lake, [[Rob McClure]] as The Historian/Prince Herbert, [[Michael Urie]] as Sir Robin, [[Nik Walker]] as Sir Galahad, Matthew Saldivar as Patsy, and [[Jimmy Smagula]] as Sir Bedevere. The production featured the original script with new jokes, such as a reference to then-Congressman [[George Santos]] in "You Won't Succeed on Broadway," a ''[[Fiddler on the Roof]]'' reference replacing Robin's piano playing in the same song, and [[Washington, D.C.|DC]]-related ad libs.

It was announced on August 2, 2023, that the Kennedy Center production would transfer to Broadway at the [[St. James Theatre]], with previews scheduled to begin October 31 before a November 16 opening. Iglehart, Kritzer, Urie, Smagula, and Walker reprised their roles from the Kennedy Center, joined by [[Christopher Fitzgerald (actor)|Christopher Fitzgerald]] as Patsy and [[Ethan Slater]] as The Historian/Prince Herbert. The production opened with [[Taran Killam]] playing Lancelot; Brightman reprised his role after Killam left the production in January 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Paulson |first1=Michael |title='Spamalot' Revival to Open on Broadway This Fall |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/02/theater/spamalot-revival-broadway.html |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=The New York Times|date=2 August 2023 }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=White |first=Abbey |date=2023-08-09 |title=Michael Urie, Ethan Slater Among Cast of Broadway's 'Spamalot' Revival |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/spamalot-broadway-revival-cast-michael-urie-ethan-slater-1235559747/ |access-date=2023-08-09 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>[https://www.playbill.com/article/taran-killam-will-be-lancelot-in-broadways-spamalot Taran Killam Will Be Lancelot in Broadway's Spamalot]</ref> Urie played his final performance as Sir Robin on January 21, 2024. On January 23, [[Jonathan Bennett (actor)|Jonathan Bennett]] made his Broadway debut as Sir Robin.<ref name=JonathanBennett/> The production closed on April 7, 2024. A national tour is planned to begin performances in the autumn of 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cristi |first=A. A. |title=SPAMALOT To Close On Broadway This April |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/SPAMALOT-To-Close-On-Broadway-This-April-20240305 |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== International productions ===
A new [[Australia]]n production started in [[Melbourne, Australia|Melbourne]] in November 2007 at [[Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne|Her Majesty's Theatre]], with the official premiere on 1 December. The cast featured [[Bille Brown]] as King Arthur, [[Ben Lewis (Australian actor)|Ben Lewis]] as Sir Galahad, [[Stephen Hall (actor)|Stephen Hall]] as Sir Lancelot and Mark Conaghan as Prince Herbert<ref>{{cite news |title=Casting Announced for Australian Production of Spamalot |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/printcolumn.cfm?id=20370 |publisher=BroadwayWorld.com |access-date=13 October 2007}}</ref> The Australian production closed on 5 April 2008, due to lack of ticket sales and no tour followed. In October 2014, [[Harvest Rain Theatre Company]] under the direction of producer [[Tim O'Connor (actor/director)|Tim O'Connor]] staged a production of ''Spamalot'' with a cast list including [[Jon English]] as King Arthur, [[Simon Gallaher]] as Patsy, [[Julie Anthony (singer)|Julie Anthony]] as the Lady of the Lake, [[Frank Woodley]] as Sir Robin, Chris Kellett as Sir Lancelot, Stephen Hirst as Galahad and Shaun McCallum as Sir Bedevere. The production was presented at the [[Queensland Performing Arts Centre]] in [[Brisbane]].

The first translated production, in [[Spanish language|Spanish]], ran at [[Teatre Victòria]], [[Barcelona]] from 9 September 2008 to 10 May 2009. Directed by Catalan Comedy Group [[Tricicle]] and choreographed by Francesc Abós, the cast included [[Jordi Bosch]] as King Arthur and [[Marta Ribera]] as the Lady of the Lake. The production moved to [[Madrid]] in September 2009<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.todomusicales.com/content/content/1467/el-rey-arturo-y-su-corte-conquistan-madrid-en-el-estreno-de-spamalot/ |title=El Rey Arturo y su corte conquistan Madrid en el estreno de SPAMALOT – September&nbsp;11, 2009 |date=11 September 2009 |publisher=todomusicales.com}}</ref> A [[Germany|German]] production premiered in January 2009 at the [[Musical Dome]] in [[Cologne]].<ref name="ksta-1217541660953">{{cite news |title=Spamalot im Musical Dome |url=http://www.ksta.de/html/artikel/1217541660953.shtml |work=Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger |date=1 August 2008 |access-date=1 August 2008 |language=de |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080805080747/http://www.ksta.de/html/artikel/1217541660953.shtml |archive-date=5 August 2008}}</ref> The Hungarian production in Madach Theatre, [[Budapest]] premiered on 29 September 2009 with three casts, each actor taking up multiple roles. The Swedish production opened at the Malmö Nöjesteater in [[Malmö]] on 24 September 2010, with a cast including [[Johan Wester]] as King Arthur and [[Johan Glans]] as Sir Robin. The production moved to [[Oscarsteatern]] in [[Stockholm]] on 15 September 2011 where it played through 29 April 2012. [[Nina Söderquist]], who starred as Lady of the Lake in the West End production was intended to reprise her role, but became pregnant. She joined the show when it moved to Stockholm, along with [[Henrik Hjelt]] as Sir Belvedere. In May 2011, the original UK touring production played at [[Politeama Rossetti]] in [[Trieste]]. Eric Idle attended the opening night on 24 May.

The Mexican premiere of the show was in July 2011 in [[Mexico City]]. The show ran for over 500 performances across the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/867285.html|title=El Universal - - Mascabrothers festeja 500 representaciones de Spamalot|date=22 June 2013|access-date=21 November 2014|archive-date=29 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129051345/http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/867285.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Japanese production ran from 9 to 22 January 2012 at the [[Akasaka Blitz]] theater in [[Tokyo]] before playing Morinomiya Piloti Hall in [[Osaka]] from 2 February to February to 6 February. The production featured [[Yūsuke Santamaria]] as King Arthur, [[Aya Hirano]] as the Lady of the Lake, [[Magy (actor)|Magy]] as Patsy, [[Yuya Matsushita]] as Sir Galahad and [[Tsuyoshi Muro]] as Prince Herbert.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.spamalot.jp/cast.html|date=5 February 2012|title=ミュージカル『モンティ・パイソンのスパマロット』 オフィシャルサイト}}</ref> The South Korean production was presented by OD Musical Company, and CJ Entertainment's Performing Arts division (now a part of [[CJ E&M]]);<ref>{{cite news |author1={{Lang|ko|강종훈}} |script-title=ko:브로드웨이 뮤지컬 '스팸어랏' 9월 초연 |trans-title=Broadway musical Spamalot to be premiered this September |url=https://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=103&oid=001&aid=0003085453 |access-date=9 March 2020 |agency=[[Yonhap News Agency]] |date=22 January 2010 |language=ko-KR|via=[[Naver]]}}</ref> incidentally, [[CJ CheilJedang]], the sister company of [[CJ Group]]'s entertainment business, manufactures [[Spam (food)|Spam]] products under license since 1987.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cho |first1=Hyee-su |title=Spam hits sales record in Korea |url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20190122000585 |access-date=9 March 2020 |work=[[The Korea Herald]] |publisher=Herald Corporation |date=22 January 2019 |language=en}}</ref> It played from 1 October to 28 December 2010, with [[Yesung]] of [[Super Junior]] and Park In-bae rotating as Sir Galahad.<ref>[http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2010081918504437127 "Super Junior's Yesung to star in third musical 'Spamalot'"] ''10Asia''. 19 August 2010. Retrieved 30 March 2012</ref> A [[Norway|Norwegian]] production ran from September to December 2012, with a cast featuring [[Atle Antonsen]] as King Arthur, [[Trond Espen Seim]] as Sir Lancelot, [[Anders Baasmo Christiansen]] as Sir Robin, [[Espen Beranek Holm]] as Sir Belvedere and [[Trond Fausa Aurvåg]] as Prince Herbert. A [[Serbia]]n production at [[Sava Centar]] in [[Belgrade]] had a cast including [[Nikola Kojo]] as King Arthur, [[Nikola Đuričko]] as Sir Lancelot and [[Gordan Kičić]] as Sir Robin.

A production of the show was included in the 2023 season of the [[Stratford Festival]] in [[Stratford, Ontario]], Canada with a cast featuring Jonathan Goad as King Arthur, [[Edward Glen|Eddie Glen]] as Patsy, Aaron Krohn as Sir Lancelot, Trevor Patt as Sir Robin, Liam Tobin as Sir Galahad and Jennifer Rider-Shaw as the Lady of the Lake.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stratfordbeaconherald.com/entertainment/local-arts/bizarre-absurd-musical-comedy-spamalot-nearly-ready-for-stratford-after-three-year-wait/|title=Bizarre, absurd musical comedy Spamalot nearly ready for Stratford after three-year wait |date=2 March 2023|access-date=2 March 2023}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/WhatsOn/PlaysAndEvents/Production/Spamalot|title=Monty Python's Spamalot |date=19 July 2023|access-date=19 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://playbill.com/production/monty-pythons-spamalotstratford-festival-avon-theatre-2019-2020|title=Monty Python's Spamalot |date=19 July 2023|access-date=19 July 2023}}</ref> This production was directed by Lezlie Wade.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/WhatsOn/PlaysAndEvents/Production/Spamalot|title=Monty Python's Spamalot |date=19 July 2023|access-date=19 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.intermissionmagazine.ca/reviews/spamalot-stratford/|title=REVIEW: Monty Python's Spamalot at the Stratford Festival |date=3 June 2023|access-date=3 June 2023}}</ref>

== Title ==
Book-writer and lyricist Eric Idle explained the title in a February 2004 press release:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyllama.com/news/2004/llama232.html|title=Monty Python's Spamalot Musical to Premiere in December 2004 in Chicago|date=26 February 2004|access-date=23 January 2014}}</ref>{{blockquote|I like the title ''Spamalot'' a lot. We tested it with audiences on my recent US tour and they liked it as much as I did, which is gratifying. After all, they are the ones who will be paying Broadway prices to see the show. It comes from a line in the movie which goes: "we eat ham, and jam, and [[Spam (Monty Python)|Spam]] a lot."}}

==Reactions by Monty Python members==
{{rquote|right|"I'm making them money, and the ungrateful bastards never thank me. Who gave them a million dollars each for 'Spamalot'?"|Eric Idle<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/TV/10/24/monty.python.40/index.html | title=Monty Python's 40 years of silliness | publisher=[[CNN]] | date=24 October 2009|access-date=23 May 2010}}</ref>}}
The show has had mixed reactions from Idle's former colleagues in Monty Python.

[[Terry Gilliam]], in an audio interview,<ref name="tgint">{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20061115072225/http://www.quickstopentertainment.com/?p=1095 Quickcast Interview with Terry Gilliam]}} by Ken Plume</ref> describes it as "Python-lite". He later told the [[BBC News]], "It helps with the pension fund, and it helps keep Python alive. As much as we'd like to pull the plug on the whole thing it carries on – it's got a life of its own."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4732374.stm |title=Battle-scarred Gilliam looks to future – Feb.&nbsp;22, 2006 |date=22 February 2006 |work=Time Out | first=Neil | last=Smith}}</ref>

[[Terry Jones]] – who co-directed the original film with Gilliam – expressed his opinions forthrightly in May 2005:  "''Spamalot'' is utterly pointless. It's full of air … Regurgitating Python is not high on my list of priorities."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.absolutenow.com/news/20050506.html |title=Entertainment News – May&nbsp;06, 2005 |date=6 May 2005 |publisher=AbsoluteNow.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630051729/http://www.absolutenow.com/news/20050506.html |archive-date=30 June 2012}}</ref> However, when asked whether he liked ''Spamalot'' during an interview with [[Dennis Daniel]] on 98.5 [[WBZO (FM)|WBON]]-FM ''The Bone'' shortly after the musical's opening on Broadway, Jones said, "Well, I thought it was terrific good fun.  It's great to see the audience loving it. I suppose I had reservations as far as … well … the idea of doing scenes from a film on stage. I just don’t get the point of it. They do them terribly well … I mean, they really are good … but I just quite don’t understand what that's about.  It isn’t really 'Python.' It is very much Eric." Jones went on to say, "I think the best parts of the musical are the new things. For instance, when they do the Andrew Lloyd Webber take-off and this girl comes in and sings 'Whatever Happened to My Part' since she hasn’t appeared since the opening number and she's really furious! That is one of the great moments where the show really comes alive for me."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.herecomethewilddogs.com/jones.htm |title=Lethally Funny Python |publisher=herecomethewilddogs.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514045958/http://www.herecomethewilddogs.com/jones.htm |archive-date=14 May 2008 }}</ref>

In an October 2006 interview, [[Michael Palin]] said, "We’re all hugely delighted that ''Spamalot'' is doing so well. Because we’re all beneficiaries! It's a great show. It's not 'Python' as we would have written it. But then, none of us would get together and write a 'Python' stage show. Eric eventually ran out of patience and said, 'Well, I’ll do it myself then.' He sent us bits and songs and all that and we said, 'Yeah, that's all right, have a go.' But its success is so enormous that it took us all by surprise, including Eric, and now we’re just proud to be associated with it, rather pathetically."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timeout.com/london/books/features/2202/3.html |title=Michael Palin: Interview – Oct.&nbsp;31, 2006 |date=31 October 2006 |work=Time Out |access-date=18 February 2020 |archive-date=18 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121218051347/http://www.timeout.com/london/books/features/2202/3.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

When asked by a ''[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]]'' reporter in 2008 if he had to be persuaded to provide the recorded voice of God in the musical, [[John Cleese]] said, "Yeah, that's right. And in the end I think ''Spamalot'' turned out splendidly. It's had a tremendous run. I defy anyone to go and not have a really fun evening. It's the silliest thing I’ve ever seen and I think Eric did a great job."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lvrj.com/blogs/elfman/John_Cleese_Loves_Spamalot_Doesnt_Know_Its_Closing_Also_He_Declares_Its_Not_a_Fortune_to_be_God.html |title=John Cleese Loves Spamalot... – May&nbsp;5, 2008 |date=5 May 2008 |work=Time Out}}</ref>

The last verse of the "Finland"/"Fisch Slapping Dance" was incorporated into Spam sketch for the 2014 reunion show ''[[Monty Python Live (Mostly)]]''.

==Critical reception and box-office==
The original production was a financial success. ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' reported advance ticket sales of $18 million, with ticket prices ranging from $36 to $179.{{Citation needed|date=August 2008}}

The show proved to be an early success when moving to London's West End. After high advance ticket sales the show's run was extended by four weeks, four months before the run commenced.<ref>{{cite news |title=We love Spam a lot: Python musical extends run |url=http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2006/06/24/4276/we_love_spam_a_lot |work=Chortle: The UK Comedy Guide |date=24 June 2006 |access-date=13 October 2007}}</ref>
The play makes many references to the film and other material in the Python [[Canon (fiction)|canon]], including a line from "[[The Lumberjack Song]]", nods to "[[The Ministry of Silly Walks|Ministry of Silly Walks]]", the "Election Night Special" and "[[Dead Parrot sketch]]" routines, a [[Bar (music)|bar]] from "Spam" worked into "Knights of the Round Table", a rendition of the song "[[Always Look on the Bright Side of Life]]" from the film ''[[Monty Python's Life of Brian]]'' (1979), and the "Fisch Schlapping Song" which is a reference to both "[[The Fish-Slapping Dance]]" and the song "[[Finland (song)|Finland]]".  Another reference is actually part of the ''[[Playbill]]'' of the show; there are several gag pages about a musical entitled "Dik Od Triaanenen Fol (Finns Ain't What They Used To Be)". This gag programme was written by Palin, and echoes the ''faux''-Swedish subtitles in the credits of the original ''Grail'' Python film.

''Spamalot'' makes various references to other musicals and musical theatre in general, such as: "The Song That Goes Like This" (a spoof of [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]] productions and many other Broadway [[power ballad]]s); "Whatever Happened To My Part" reminiscent of "[[And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going]]" from ''[[Dreamgirls]]'', the knights doing a dance reminiscent of ''[[Fiddler on the Roof]]'', and another reminiscent of ''[[West Side Story (musical)|West Side Story]]'' (including the music); Sir Lancelot's mimicking of [[Peter Allen (musician)|Peter Allen]] in "His Name Is Lancelot"; the character of Sir Not-Appearing-In-This-Show being ''[[Man of La Mancha]]'''s [[Don Quixote]]; a member of the French "army" dressed as [[Éponine]] from ''[[Les Misérables (musical)|Les Misérables]]''; and a line pulled from "Another Hundred People" from [[Stephen Sondheim]]'s ''[[Company (musical)|Company]]'' by the "damsel" Herbert.{{Citation needed|date=October 2009}}

The show has not escaped criticism. In ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]'', [[Sam Anderson (writer)|Sam Anderson]] wrote,
"Python was formed in reaction to exactly the kind of lazy comedy represented by ''Spamalot'' — what Michael Palin once described as the 'easy, catch-phrase reaction' the members had all been forced to pander in their previous writing jobs... ''Spamalot'' is the gaudy climax of a long, unfunny tradition of post-Python exploitation – books, actions figures, video games – that treats the old material as a series of slogans to be referenced without doing any of the work that made the lines so original in the first place."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.slate.com/id/2121214/ |title=And Now For Something Completely Deficient |first=Sam |last=Anderson |date=21 June 2006 |publisher=Slate.com}}</ref>

About the West End version, [[Charles Spencer (journalist)|Charles Spencer]] wrote in the ''[[Daily Telegraph]]'' that "It's a wonderful night, and I fart in the general direction of anyone who says otherwise" (echoing a joke from the show).<ref name="telegraph1">{{cite news |first=Charles |last=Spencer |author-link=Charles Spencer (journalist) |title=Truly, a knight to remember |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2006/10/17/btspam17.xml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061028060604/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2006/10/17/btspam17.xml |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 October 2006 |format=review |work=The Daily Telegraph |date= 17 October 2006| location=London | access-date=23 May 2010}}</ref> According to Paul Taylor in the ''[[Independent (newspaper)|Independent]]'', "it leaves you that high and weak with laughter, thanks not just to the Python provenance of the basic material but to the phenomenal speed, wit, cheek and showbiz knowingness of the direction, which is by the great veteran, Mike Nichols".<ref name="independent1">{{cite news |first=Paul |last=Taylor |title=First Night |url=http://arts.independent.co.uk/theatre/reviews/article1879460.ece |format=review |work=The Independent |date=17 October 2006 |location=London |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015164453/http://arts.independent.co.uk/theatre/reviews/article1879460.ece |archive-date=15 October 2007}}</ref> [[Michael Billington (critic)|Michael Billington]] in the ''[[Guardian (newspaper)|Guardian]]'' was less enthusiastic, though, stating "while I'm happy to see musicals spoofed, the show's New York origins are clearly exposed in a would-be outre number which announces "we won't succeed in show business if we don't have any Jews": a Broadway in-joke that has little purchase this side of the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]]." Billington adds, "With hand on heart, I'd much rather watch [[Lerner and Loewe]]'s ''[[Camelot (musical)|Camelot]]'' than Eric Idle's smart-arsed ''Spamalot''."<ref name="guardian1">{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Billington |author-link=Michael Billington (critic) |title=Spamalot |url=http://arts.guardian.co.uk/reviews/story/0,,1924220,00.html |format=review |work=The Guardian |date=17 October 2006 | location=London}}</ref>

===Coconut orchestra world record===
On 22 March 2006, to mark the first anniversary of the official Broadway opening, the "World's Largest Coconut Orchestra", 1,789 people clapping together half coconut shells, performed in [[Shubert Alley]], outside the theatre. The claim was officially recognised by the ''[[Guinness Book of World Records]]''.  This record was broken by 5,877 people in [[Trafalgar Square]] at 7&nbsp;pm on 23 April 2007,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-coconut-ensemble|title=Largest coconut ensemble {{!}} Guinness World Records|website=Guinness World Records|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070423010101/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world%2Drecords/largest%2Dcoconut%2Densemble|archive-date=23 April 2007|url-status=dead|access-date=10 June 2018}}</ref> led by the cast from the London production, along with Jones and Gilliam, with the coconuts used in place of the whistles in "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life".  This formed part of London's [[St George's Day]] celebrations that year and was followed by a screening of ''Monty Python and the Holy Grail''.<ref name="BBC658187">{{cite news |title=Spamalot cast sets coconut record |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6586187.stm |publisher=BBC News |date=23 April 2007}}</ref>

===Other===
[[File:SPAMALOT bright sign.jpg|thumb|right|175px|A sign at the Shubert Theatre advertising the show's [[Tony Award for Best Musical|Best Musical]] award]]
In 2006, the London cast of ''Spamalot'' performed excerpts at the ''[[Royal Variety Performance]]''.

On 10 March 2007, ''Spamalot'' partnered with [[HP Sauce]] (the classic British [[brown sauce]], now made in the [[Netherlands]] following a contentious decision to close its factory in [[Birmingham]], England) to produce 1,075 limited edition bottles featuring a unique ''Spamalot'' take on the classic HP design.  The bottles were available exclusively via [[Selfridges]], London and came in a presentation box with a numbered [[Certificate of authenticity|certificate]].  1,075 was chosen to celebrate, absurdly, "1,075 years of the show running in London".

In July 2007 it was announced that the London production would solve the problem of replacing Hannah Waddingham as the Lady of the Lake through a TV talent show in Sweden. The programme, called ''West End Star'', which began airing on [[TV3 (Sweden)|TV3]] on 8 December 2007, announced [[Nina Söderquist]] as the winner on 2 February 2008. Söderquist took up the role of the Lady of the Lake, with a standing ovation, on 11 February 2008.<ref>[http://www.expressen.se/noje/1.1043317/nina-lysande-i-spamalotsucce Nina lysande i Spamalotsuccé, Expressen.se] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214071302/http://www.expressen.se/noje/1.1043317/nina-lysande-i-spamalotsucce |date=14 February 2008 }}, 12 February 2008</ref>

===DVD===
Portions of the ''Spamalot'' [[Cast recording|original cast recording]] were featured (with accompanying [[Adobe Flash|Flash animation]]) as a special feature in the 2006 "Extraordinarily Deluxe Two-Disc Edition" DVD re-release of ''[[Monty Python and the Holy Grail]]''.

==Awards and nominations==
In the original Broadway production, Sara Ramirez sang the line, "I've no [[Grammy Awards|Grammy]], no reward/I've no Tony Award." Ironically, the show's original cast album won the [[Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album]] at the [[48th Annual Grammy Awards]] in 2006 and Ramirez won the [[Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical|Tony for Best Featured Actress]] at the [[59th Tony Awards]] in 2005. The two awards led to a minor change to the song "The Diva's Lament".  Initially, the line became "My Tony Award/won't keep me out of [[Betty Ford Center|Betty Ford's]]". When [[Lauren Kennedy]] took over for [[Sara Ramirez]], it became "My predecessor won awards/and now she's in Betty Ford's" but was later changed to, "'''All our''' Tony Awards/won't keep me out of Betty Ford's."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/article/97709-DIVA-TALK-Chatting-with-Spamalots-Lauren-Kennedy-Plus-a-Powerful-Public-Sings|title=playbill.com|work=Playbill|access-date=21 November 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022005757/http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/article/97709-DIVA-TALK-Chatting-with-Spamalots-Lauren-Kennedy-Plus-a-Powerful-Public-Sings|archive-date=22 October 2012}}</ref> In the touring production, Pia Glenn sings "All our ''goddamn'' awards/won't keep me out of Betty Ford's." For a change, [[Hannah Waddingham]] in the London production sings "I'm as depressed as I can be/ I've got constant [[Premenstrual syndrome|PMT]]".

The touring production has garnered Boston's [[Elliot Norton Awards|Elliot Norton Award]] for Outstanding Visiting Production.

===Original Broadway production===
{| class="wikitable" width="95%"
|-
! width="5%"| Year
! width="20%"| Award
! width="40%"| Category
! width="25%"| Nominee
! width="10%"| Result
|-
| rowspan="28" align="center"| 2005
| rowspan="14"| [[Tony Award]]
| colspan="2"| [[Tony Award for Best Musical|Best Musical]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical|Best Book of a Musical]]
| [[Eric Idle]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score]]
| [[John Du Prez]] and [[Eric Idle]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical|Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Hank Azaria]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tim Curry]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical|Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Michael McGrath (actor)|Michael McGrath]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Christopher Sieber]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical|Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical]]
| [[Sara Ramirez]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical|Best Direction of a Musical]]
| [[Mike Nichols]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Choreography|Best Choreography]]
| [[Casey Nicholaw]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Orchestrations|Best Orchestrations]]
| [[Larry Hochman]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Scenic Design|Best Scenic Design]]
| rowspan="2"| [[Tim Hatley]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Costume Design|Best Costume Design]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Tony Award for Best Lighting Design|Best Lighting Design]]
| [[Hugh Vanstone]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="12"| [[Drama Desk Award]]
| colspan="2"| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical|Outstanding Musical]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical|Outstanding Book of a Musical]]
| [[Eric Idle]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical|Outstanding Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Hank Azaria]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[David Hyde Pierce]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical|Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Christian Borle]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Michael McGrath (actor)|Michael McGrath]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Musical|Outstanding Director of a Musical]]
| [[Mike Nichols]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Choreography|Outstanding Choreography]]
| [[Casey Nicholaw]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Orchestrations|Outstanding Orchestrations]]
| [[Larry Hochman]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics|Outstanding Lyrics]]
| [[Eric Idle]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Set Design|Outstanding Set Design]]
| rowspan="2"| [[Tim Hatley]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Costume Design|Outstanding Costume Design]]
| {{won}}
|-
| colspan=1| [[Drama League Award]] 
| [[Drama League Distinguished Performance Award|Distinguished Performance]]
| [[Sara Ramirez]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| colspan=2| [[Theatre World Award]]
| [[Hank Azaria]]
| {{won}}

|-
| align="center"| 2006
| [[Grammy Award]]
| colspan="2"| [[Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album|Best Musical Show Album]]
| {{won}}
|}

===Original London production===
{| class="wikitable" width="95%"
|-
! width="5%"| Year
! width="20%"| Award
! width="45%"| Category
! width="20%"| Nominee
! width="10%"| Result
|-
| rowspan="7" align="center"| 2007
| rowspan="7"| [[Laurence Olivier Award]]
| colspan="2"| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical|Best New Musical]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical|Best Actor in a Musical]]
| [[Tim Curry]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical|Best Actress in a Musical]]
| [[Hannah Waddingham]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical|Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical]]
| [[Tom Goodman-Hill]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Set Design|Best Set Design]]
| rowspan="2"| [[Tim Hatley]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Costume Design|Best Costume Design]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Lighting Design|Best Lighting Design]]
| [[Hugh Vanstone]]
| {{nom}}
|}

=== 2023 Kennedy Center production===
{| class="wikitable" width="95%"
|-
! width="5%"| Year
! width="20%"| Award
! width="45%"| Category
! width="20%"| Nominee
! width="10%"| Result
|-
| rowspan="8" align="center"| 2024
| rowspan="8"| [[Helen Hayes Award]]<ref>{{cite web | title=2024 Helen Hayes Awards Nominations |url= https://theatrewashington.org/sites/default/files/2024-01/2024%20Helen%20Hayes%20Awards%20Nominations%20By%20Category.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Helen Hayes Awards 2024 Recipients| url= https://theatrewashington.org/sites/default/files/2024-05/2024%20HHA%20Recipient%20Spreadsheet%20-%20Recipients%20by%20Recipient%20%28Alpha%29.pdf}}</ref>
| colspan="2"| Outstanding Production - Musical
| {{nom}}
|-
| colspan="1"| Outstanding Choreography in a Musical
| John Rhodes
| {{nom}}
|-
| colspan="1"| Outstanding Musical Direction
| John Bell
| {{nom}}
|-
| colspan="1"| Outstanding Director of a Musical
| Josh Rhodes
| {{nom}}
|-
| colspan="2"| Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=3| Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical
| [[Michael Urie]]
| {{nom}}
|- 
| [[Rob McClure]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Leslie Kritzer|Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer]]
| {{nom}}
|}

===2023 Broadway revival===
{| class="wikitable" width="95%"
|-
! width="5%"| Year
! width="20%"| Award
! width="40%"| Category
! width="25%"| Nominee
! width="10%"| Result
|-
| rowspan=6|2024
| [[Tony Award]]
| [[Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical|Best Featured Actress in a Musical]]
| [[Leslie Kritzer|Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama Desk Award]]
|[[Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical|Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical]]
| [[Leslie Kritzer|Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=2|[[Drama League Award]]
| colspan="2"| Outstanding Revival of a Musical
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Drama League Distinguished Performance Award|Distinguished Performance]]
| [[Leslie Kritzer|Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=2|[[Outer Critics Circle Awards]]
| colspan="2"|Outstanding Revival of a Musical
| {{nom}}
|-
| Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Musical
| [[Leslie Kritzer|Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer]]
| {{nom}}
|}

==Television==
A special edition of ''[[The South Bank Show]]'' was a [[television documentary]] on the history of ''Spamalot''. It features numerous segments with Eric Idle and John Du Prez explaining the process of writing the songs, plus interviews with UK and US cast members. It included scenes from the rehearsal of the West End show, and was first broadcast on 15 October 2006.

==Cancelled film adaptation==
In May 2018, [[20th Century Fox]] announced a film adaptation was in the works with Idle writing the script and [[Casey Nicholaw]] attached to direct. The film was reportedly fast-tracked with casting announced soon with shooting to begin in early 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/spamalot-movie-monty-python-fox-mean-girls-casey-nicholaw-eric-idle-1202382256/|title=Fox Sets Broadway 'Mean Girls' Helmer Casey Nicholaw For 'Spamalot' Monty Python Movie: Eric Idle Scripting|website=Deadline|last1=Busch|first1=Anita|last2=Fleming|first2=Mike Jr.|date=3 May 2018|access-date=3 May 2018}}</ref> The next month it was reported that the studio was looking to cast [[Benedict Cumberbatch]] as King Arthur, [[Peter Dinklage]] as his servant Patsy and [[Tiffany Haddish]] as the Lady of the Lake.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/spamalot-movie-cast-cumberbatch-dinklage-haddish/|title=Spamalot Movie Eyes Benedict Cumberbatch, Peter Dinklage & More|website=Screen Rant|last=Schaefer|first=Sandy|date=15 June 2018|access-date=15 June 2018}}</ref> Cumberbatch was taken out of consideration due to his involvement in ''[[Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://canoe.com/entertainment/celebrity/marvel-movie-kept-cumberbatch-from-king-arthur-role-in-pythons-spamalot|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117045213/https://canoe.com/entertainment/celebrity/marvel-movie-kept-cumberbatch-from-king-arthur-role-in-pythons-spamalot|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 January 2019|title=Marvel kept Cumberbatch from King Arthur role in Python's Spamalot |work=Montreal Gazette|date=2019-01-17|language=en|access-date=2019-01-22}}</ref>

At the time of the release of his memoir ''Always Look on the Bright Side of Life: A Sortabiography'' in December 2019, Idle said in an interview with the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' that "(the movie is) all ready to go" and that it "is not very expensive".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2019-12-25/patt-morrison-eric-idle-comedy|title=Column: 'Monty Python' comedian Eric Idle's anarchic humor heads for the Huntington archives|date=2019-12-25|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-02}}</ref> He cited the [[acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney]] as a factor to the film's delay, saying it caused "everything (to come) to a grinding halt". He also stated in an interview around the same time with [[WBUR-FM]] that Haddish is still being offered the role of the Lady of the Lake, and that the script has "mostly been solved".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2019/12/25/in-his-sortabiography-monty-pythons-eric-idle-reflects-on-the-meaning-of-life|title=In His 'Sortabiography,' Monty Python's Eric Idle Reflects on the Meaning of Life|website=www.wbur.org|date=25 December 2019 |language=en|access-date=2020-01-02}}</ref>

On 6 January 2021, it was announced that the project would move to [[Paramount Pictures]] and that it was set to begin pre-production, with Nicholaw officially confirmed to direct from Idle's script and [[Dan Jinks]] joining as a producer.<ref name="Deadline Hollywood"/> Two years later, Idle said that the film would not be happening.<ref name="twitter.com" />

==Lawsuit==
In 2013, the Pythons lost a legal case to [[Mark Forstater]], the producer of ''Monty Python and the Holy Grail'', over royalties for ''Spamalot''. He was paid 1/14 of the portion of the profits paid to the Pythons. The court ruled that he was a full Python partner and was to be paid 1/7 of the portion paid to the Pythons. They owed a combined £800,000 in legal fees and back royalties to Forstater, prompting them to produce ''Monty Python Live (Mostly)''.<ref>{{cite news |title=John Cleese: Monty Python reunion is happening because of my £800,000 legal bill |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/john-cleese-monty-python-reunion-3591253 |quote=Last July, the Pythons lost a royalties case to Mark Forstater, who produced 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. ... |newspaper=[[Daily Mirror]] |date=23 May 2014 |access-date=2014-12-28 }}</ref><ref name=royal>{{cite web
 | title        = Monty Python sued over Spamalot royalties
 | url          = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-20556684
 | publisher    = [[BBC News Online]]
| quote= Mr Forstater claimed he was entitled to one-seventh of this figure, the same share enjoyed by each of the other Pythons - but was told he was only entitled to one-fourteenth, and has been paid accordingly since 2005. ...
 | date         = 30 November 2012
 | access-date   = 2012-11-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title = Monty Python lose Spamalot court battle| url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-23195478|quote=Mark Forstater, who produced the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, claimed he was underpaid royalties since the musical's launch in 2005. ... | publisher = [[BBC News]] | date = 4 July 2013| access-date = 5 July 2013}}</ref>

==References==

===Notes===
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin}}
*[http://theater2.nytimes.com/mem/theater/treview.html?res=9C00E5DC103CF93BA25750C0A9639C8B63 A Quest Beyond The Grail], a review of ''Spamalot'' from the ''[[New York Times]]'' (registration required)
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070410025807/http://www.theatre.com/show/id/3000660/Spamalot Photos, Videos, Cast Interviews and Information on the West End Production on ''Theatre.com'']
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050220120509/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6999424/site/newsweek/ MSNBC/Newsweek interview with Idle and Nichols] explaining elimination of some pre-Broadway scenes
*[https://soundcloud.com/american-theatre-wing/episode-53 Tim Curry interview] from May 2005 from [[American Theatre Wing]] Downstage Center, [https://web.archive.org/web/20060228190627/http://www.americantheatrewing.org/downstage/mp3/Episode53.mp3 recorded in MP3 format]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20061028060604/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2006/10/17/btspam17.xml Daily Telegraph review of West End version]
*[http://www.richard-chamberlain.info/2009/spamalot.html Tribute to Richard Chamberlain website Spamalot]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*[http://www.spotlighttheatre.com.au/ Spot Light Theatre Australia – Spamalot starting 24 July 2009]
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Commons category}}
* {{official website|https://spamalotthemusical.com/}}
* {{IBDB show}}
* {{Playbill production}}
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060610153718/http://montypythonsspamalot.com/ |title=Official website |date=dmy}}
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412042921/http://www.spamalotelmusical.com/ |title=Spanish production |date=dmy}}
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727102920/http://www.muzyczny.org/spektakle/lista,szczegoly:spamalot.html |title=Polish production official website |date=dmy}}
* [http://www.spamalot.de/ German production official website]
* [http://www.spamalotdemusical.nl/ Dutch production official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523141600/http://www.spamalotdemusical.nl/ |date=23 May 2010 }}
* [http://www.spamalot.se/ Swedish production official website]
* [https://www.teatroenmexico.com/obra/spamalot/ ''Spamalot in Mexico City''] February 14  2024 at the [https://www.teatroenmexico.com/teatro/centro-cultural-teatro-1/ Centro Cultural Teatro 1]

{{Monty Python}}
{{Monty Python and the Holy Grail}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards for ''Spamalot''
| list = 
{{DramaDesk Musical 2001–2025}}
{{Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album}}
{{TonyAwardBestMusical 2001-2025}}
}}

[[Category:2005 musicals]]
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[[Category:Musical comedy plays]]
[[Category:Monty Python and the Holy Grail]]
[[Category:Musicals based on films]]
[[Category:Musicals by Eric Idle]]
[[Category:Musicals by John Du Prez]]
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[[Category:Self-reflexive plays]]
[[Category:Tony Award for Best Musical]]
[[Category:Musicals set in the Middle Ages]]
[[Category:Tony Award–winning musicals]]
[[Category:LGBTQ-related musicals]]
[[Category:Adaptations of works by Terry Gilliam]]