Review: Hilarious ‘Spamalot’ finds the Holy Grail of humor with Tacoma talent

Monty Python fans, rejoice.

If you missed John Cleese’s recent visit to the Pantages, you’ve got another chance to revel in the absurdity and sheer silliness of that iconic British comedy troupe, but with Tacoma talent. Tacoma Musical Playhouse’s “Spamalot” — the musical version of “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” — walks a perfect line between honoring the original gem and delivering fresh hilarity in song, dance and outrageous accents.

John Cooper is magnificent as the bemused King Arthur, as solemn as Graham Chapman but with a much better operatic baritone. Mauro Bozzo channels Eric Idle as the chicken Sir Robin, but developing the character into the musical-loving version complete with over-the-top Jewish caricature. Derek Hall pays homage to Michael Palin’s Cockney-swaggering socialist peasant Dennis, but evolves into a Sir Galahad with a melodramatic vocal flair. Andrew Fry is just as hysterical as Idle as the pious Brother Maynard (“Five is right out!”). Gary Chambers leads the taunting French knights with all the ridiculousness of the original.

But this is the Broadway version, and Trista Duval brings a delightful mix of vocal diva and down-to-earth gal to the Lady of the Lake, while Bruce Haasl’s Lancelot and Jake Atwood’s Prince Herbert get it on in campy ’70s style. There’s a lovely a cappella moment as the Grail is found and a couple of fun tap dances.

Best of all, no visual gag is left unturned by director Jon Rake and the production crew, from flying cow to dismembered Black Knight to rather suggestive beer mugs. Chorus singing and choreography are well-planned and energetic, the band is on point, and if the sound system is amateurishly unbalanced, it’s a small price to pay for 2  1/2 hours of solid laughs.

This story was originally published March 22, 2017 at 4:22 AM with the headline "Review: Hilarious ‘Spamalot’ finds the Holy Grail of humor with Tacoma talent."