"MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT" STRAIGHT FROM THE "HOLY GRAIL"

“MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT” STRAIGHT FROM THE “HOLY GRAIL”

Ladies there will never be a better time than “Monty Python’s Spamalot” to get your men into a proper theater where they have live actors on stage and everything. Be assured there is absolutely no thinking required to enjoy this resolutely silly musical that opened Tuesday night, Sept. 22, at the downtown Tucson Music Hall, presented by Broadway In Tucson.

There are no hidden philosophies at work here, no dangerous subliminal messages created by clever communists who want to plant insidious left wing values that will eat into your brain late at night during those unguarded moments whilst you are sleeping.

“Monty Python’s Spamalot” is pure entertainment, professionally presented on this tour with terrific choreography, convincing costumes and strong singers performing those inimitable Python lyrics that take delight in making no sense whatsoever. The set designs by Tim Hatley and various special effects moments by Gregory Meeh recall the clever animation of Terry Gilliam that was an important part of the weekly skit comedy TV show.

This is the real deal national tour with an excellent cast (though Christopher Gurr as King Arthur could be more dynamic). Many of the performers have Broadway credits on their resumes.

Making the strongest impression on opening night was tall and strikingly beautiful Merle Dandridge (who played the part on Broadway) as the impatient Lady of the Lake. It is a comedy role that is mostly singing. The jokes are in the way Dandridge overdoes her soulful moans and bluesy growls.

But her voice is so crystalline with such incredible range you’ll be wishing she had at least one chance to sing a serious show-stopping number. The second act could use such a number. There is so much good stuff in Act One, the energy actually dissipates a bit after intermission.

But enough talk about art. We’re talking “Spamalot” here. A show most famous for the line “Not dead yet.”

Or maybe most famous for its feisty Black Knight, who gets both arms and legs slashed off, but is still so angry he still keeps demanding to continue the fight.

Or maybe most famous for the Killer Rabbit whose ferocity decapitates one hapless knight who didn’t take the fluffy white bunny seriously enough.

Personally, my favorite part was the taunting French castle guard (Matthew Greer) whose explosion of insults and rude noises directed at King Arthur kept building intensity until it finally collapsed into a hilarious melt down.

Pick your own favorite, there will be plenty to choose from. Spontaneous applause broke out on several occasions. These were instant expressions of delight at seeing a favorite character from the British comedy company’s film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” – off from which, as the program notes, this musical was lovingly ripped.

Barely based on the legend of King Arthur, those round table knights and the singing community of Camelot, Python member Eric Idle adapted the movie to the stage. No less than Mike Nichols directed the heralded production that ran happily on Broadway for four years and captured three Tony Awards in 2005, including Best Musical.

A shortened 90-minute version, performed without intermission, was mounted in Las Vegas but didn’t fare quite so happily. The show closed after a year’s run, despite a large Vegas tribute number featuring the Lady of the Lake and her Laker Girls. The knights’ round table also became a roulette wheel and audiences were reminded “What happens in Camelot stays in Camelot.”

But the good news is “Spamalot” has come to Tucson a whole lot sooner than any other big hit Broadway spectacle in memory. For that we can all be grateful…and laugh a lot.

“Monty Python’s Spamlot” continues at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday in the Tucson Music Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. Tickets are $30-$70, a variety of discounts are available. For details and tickets, check www.broadwayintucson.com