Spamalot opened at the Sam S. Shubert Theatre March 17, 2005. The production, directed by Mike Nichols with choreography by Casey Nicholaw, played 34 previews and 1,575 performances before closing January 11, 2009. The musical earned 14 Tony Award nominations, winning three including Best Musical.
Inspired by the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot tells the tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table on their quest from God for the Holy Grail—with a short stop in the dazzling Spam-filled land of Camelot. The musical features music by Eric Idle (one of the film’s original writers) and John Du Prez with lyrics and book by Idle.
The self-proclaimed "lovingly ripped-off" show features a book by Eric Idle, based on the screenplay he co-wrote with Monty Python creators Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and Michael Palin.
In addition to Ramirez, Spamalot starred Tim Curry as King ArthurDavid Hyde Pierce as Sir Robin/Brother Maynard/Guard 1, Hank Azaria as Sir Lancelot/The French Taunter/Knight of Ni/Tim The Enchanter, Christopher Sieber as Sir Dennis Galahad/TheBlack Knight/Prince Herbert’s Father, Michael McGrath as Patsy/Mayor/Guard 2, Steven Rosen as Sir Bedevere/Dennis’ Mother/Concorde, Christian Borle as Prince Herbert and others, and John Cleese as the recorded voice of God. Rounding out the cast were Brad Bradley, Thomas Cannizzaro, Kevin Covert, Jennifer Frankel, Lisa Gajda, Jenny Hill, Emily Hsu, Abbey O’Brien, Ariel Reid, Greg Reuter, Brian Shepard, and Scott Taylor with John Bolton, James Ludwig, and Darlene Wilson as standbys and Pamela Remler and Rick Spaans as swings.
The production featured scenic and costume design by Tim Hatley, lighting design by Hugh Vanstone, sound design by Acme Sound Partners, and projection design by Elaine J. McCarthy with stage management by Mahlon Kruse, Jim Woolley, and Rachel Wolff. Visit the Playbill Vault for the complete cast and creative team.
