Spamalot
| Spamalot | |
|---|---|
Broadway promotional poster | |
| Music | |
| Lyrics | Eric Idle |
| Book | Eric Idle |
| Basis | Monty Python and the Holy Grail by Monty Python |
| Premiere | 21 December 2004: Shubert Theatre, Chicago |
| Productions | 2004 Chicago 2005 Broadway 2006 West End 2008 1st North American tour 2009 2nd North American tour 2010 1st UK tour 2012 West End revival 2013 3rd North American tour 2015 2nd UK tour 2017 Third UK tour 2023 Broadway revival |
| Awards | Tony Award for Best Musical 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 with music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle, and lyrics and a 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 and Camelot.
The original 2005 Broadway production directed by Mike Nichols received 14 Tony Award nominations, winning in three categories, including 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. Tim Curry starred as King Arthur in the original Broadway and West End productions. It was one of eight UK musicals commemorated on Royal Mail stamps, issued in February 2011.
A film adaptation, directed by Casey Nicholaw from a script by Idle, was announced. Idle later stated on Twitter that the film would not be made due to his former Monty Python colleagues vetoing the project.