On The Scene: SPAMALOT Is Back On Broadway

There is something so thrilling about sitting down in a Broadway theater and hearing the downbeat of an electrifying orchestra play an overture. That’s my happy place. I’m happy to report that feeling is certainly there eight times a week at the St. James Theatre where Spamalot is now in performances. 

After almost two decades, the hilarious and much beloved musical, inspired by the classic film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” has returned to Broadway to delight audiences both old and new. Written by Eric Idle and John Du Prez, Spamalot reimagines the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table as they embark on a quest to discover the Holy Grail. Filled with the signature wit and charm of Monty Python, the musical has had audiences in stitches for the last twenty years or so. 

Spamalot originally opened on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre on Valentine’s Day, 2005. Starring Tim Curry and Sara Ramirez, the production was directed by Mike Nichols with Casey Nicholaw as choreographer. The show ran for four years with 1,575 performances and 34 previews. With 14 Tony Nominations under their belt, Spamalot took home three wins including Best Direction, Best Performance by a Featured Actress for Ramirez, and Best Musical. 

After a rather successful West End run and a few National Tours, it was Jeffrey Finn, VP and Executive Producer of Theater at the Kennedy Center in DC, who decided to mount a revival down in Washington this past May. Following rave reviews, a swift transfer occurred and now Spamalot is gearing up to officially open tomorrow night. 

Directed and choreographed by Josh Rhodes, this Spamalot features an all-star gaggle of Broadway stars including Christopher Fitzgerald as Patsy, James Monroe Iglehart as King Arthur, Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer as The Lady of the Lake, Ethan Slater as The Historian/Prince Herbert, Jimmy Smagula as Sir Bedevere, Michael Urie as Sir Robin Taran Killam as Lancelot, and Nik Walker as Sir Galahad. Iglehart, Kritzer, Smagula, Urie and Walker are all reprising their roles from the DC production. Alex Brightman, currently starring in The Shark Is Broken one block up will return to the role of Lancelot this January. 

The rest of the company includes David Josefsberg, Graham Stevens, Daniel Beeman, Maria Briggs, Gabriella Enriquez, Michael Fatica, Denis Lambert, Shina Ann Morris, Kaylee Olson, Kristin Piro, Drew Redington, Tyler Roberts, Anju Cloud, Darrell T. Joe, Lily Kaufmann, and Charlie Sutton. 

Out of a company of 24 actors, only two are making their Broadway debuts with Spamalot. Many congratulations to Kaylee Olson and Darrell T. Joe. Welcome to the Great White Way!

Watching these actors who are at the top of their game have the time of their life on that stage is an utter joy, and that electricity permeates into the audience every night. Fans old and new will find something to take away from Spamalot, with slight changes to the book including references to TikTok, Ozempic, and even Lea Michele. However, the original story and music we have come to love is cemented, and for that, I am thrilled. 

‍For tickets and more information, visit here.