Monty Python's "SPAMALOT" - by Eric Idle and John du Prez - Hanover Theatre (Worcester, MA.) - REVIEW
(Cover Photo: The 2026 National Touring CAST of "MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT," now playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. until October 4, 2026. Photo Courtesy tour website and MurphyMade)
By Kevin T. Baldwin
METRMAG Reviewer
# 774-242-6724
"It does seem rather strange. I mean there must be other cups he could use."
- ("Galahad") / Eric Idle and John du Prez
The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts
Presents the Musical
"MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT"
Limited Engagement!
Music, Lyrics and Book by Eric Idle
Music by John Du Prez
Based upon the movie "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" written by: Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and Michael Palin.
Music composed by Eric Idle, Neil Innes and John Du Prez.
Directed and Choreographed by Josh Rhodes
Music Supervision and Additional Arrangements - John Bell
Music Director Jonathan W. Gorst
Cast Includes: Major Attaway as “King Arthur,” Sean Bell as “Sir Robin,” Chris Collins-Pisano as “Sir Lancelot,” Ellis C. Dawson III as “Sir Bedevere,” Leo Roberts as “Sir Galahad,” Amanda Robles as “The Lady of the Lake,” Blake Segal as “Patsy,” Steven Telsey as “The Historian/Prince Herbert,” Emilie Renier as “Swing/Dance Captain.”
Ensemble: Lindsay Lee Alhady, Delaney Benson, Connor Coughlin, Leeds Hill, L’ogan J’ones, Graham Keen, Claire Kennard, Ben Lanham, Nathaniel Mahone, Meridien Terrell.
Swing: Jack Brewer, Jonathan Bryant, Kendall LeShanti, Maddie Mossner, Mark Tran Russ.
Additional Creative Team:
Scenic and Projection Design - Paul Tate dePoo III; Costume Design - Jen Caprio; Lighting Design - Cory Pattak; Sound Design - Kai Harada and Haley Parcher; Hair and Wig Design - Tom Watson; Dialect Coach - Patrick Mulryan; Orchestrator - Larry Hochman; Music Arranger - Glen Kelly; Associate Director - Derek Kolluri; Associate Choreographer - Michael Fatica; Production Stage Manager - Matthew Brooks; Social Media - The Social Team; Tour Booking, Marketing and Publicity - Bond Theatrical; Technical Supervision - Sightline Productions; Company Manager - James Neal; General Management - RCI Theatricals, Joe Christopher, Kevin Greene; Casting - Geoff Josselson Casting, Geoff Josselson, CSA, Felicia Rudolph, CSA.
Performances:
October 2, 2026 through October 4, 2026
(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)
Presented at the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge Street, Worcester, MA.
TICKETS:
For More Information: 877-571-SHOW (7469) info@thehanovertheatre.org
BUY TICKETS
COVID 19 PROTOCOLS
Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.
(Warning: The following review contains spoilers)
As part of its quest to entertain by a dictate of the masses, the Broadway juggernaut "MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT" arrives on tour to Massachusetts, first at the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester and then at the Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston.
The musical, based on the 1975 movie "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," was written by Emeritus "Pythoner" Eric Idle with music co-written by Idle, John Du Prez and Neil Innes.
For those of you who skipped the credits above at the beginning of the article just to get to this review, the original movie was written by Idle along with fellow Pythoners Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and Michael Palin.
To anyone attending who is already familiar with the movie and the extensive "Monty Python" legacy, most of the show's references will reverberate and they might be the ones in the audience smiling and laughing the loudest.
No. Not "might" - they will be.
However, even if you haven't the foggiest idea as to how some "Python named 'Monty' has anything to do with an additive made up of pork and ham meat, salt, water, potato starch, sugar, and sodium nitrite" this musical is still side-splitting fun.
The original Broadway run of "MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT," which completed 1,575 performances, was directed by Mike Nichols and received 14 Tony Award nominations, winning in three categories, including Best Musical.
The original production also contained a veritable treasure trove of talent starring Tim Curry (R.I.P.) as the mythical "King Arthur."
Along with Curry was a dynamite supporting cast which included Worcester’s own Michael McGrath (also R.I.P.), Hank Azaria, David Hyde Pierce, Christian Borle - and Sara Ramirez, who would go on to win the Tony that season for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.
As mentioned, some of the musical's material came from sources other than the "Holy Grail" movie.
In the movie, Neil Innes wrote the tunes "Knights of the Round Table" and "Brave Sir Robin."
Idle collaborated with John Du Prez on most of the "SPAMALOT" score, except for the song "Finland" which was written by Pythoner Michael Palin for "Monty Python's Contractual Obligation Album"; and the song "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" which was written by Idle for the 1979 Python movie, "Monty Python's Life of Brian."
The Monty Python team has always maintained the option of a single "killer veto" whereby any proposed idea by anyone in the group could be "nixed" by any one member of the team.
A film adaptation of the musical had been underway in planning stages but Idle later confirmed the film was cancelled as two of the Pythoners vetoed the project.
In the latest national tour now playing at the Hanover Theatre, the preposterous premise of the story follows King Arthur (normally played by Major Attaway but at the opening night performance was played by Ellis C. Dawson III) and his band of knights.
Dawson impresses greatly at Arthur, yet one scene in the show's second act during the opening night performance did contain some noticeable line issues, yet these were quickly resolved and forgiven.
Dawson normally plays "Sir Bedevere" but his replacement was actor Graham Keen, who also gave a praiseworthy performance.
Blake Segal, who plays Arthur's stalwart aide "Patsy" has great chemistry with Dawson, especially in the number “I’m All Alone” - a somewhat ironic number that builds itself into a massive "UN-alone" number, but it is also the number where the pair truly shines as King Arthur and Patsy.
(Photo: Blake Segal as “Patsy” with two coconut halves and Major Attaway as “King Arthur” in a scene from the 2026 National Tour of "MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT," now playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. until October 4, 2026. Photo Courtesy tour website and MurphyMade)
Directed and choreographed by Josh Rhodes, the touring production of "SPAMALOT" is not only a comedic but also visceral delight, thanks to many revitalized graphics.
The omission of a certain "large wooden rabbit" may have some crying "foul" in the audience but, honestly, would they want to be the ones in charge of constantly having to arrange transportation and venue access for (and finding six-foot carrots to feed) a twenty-foot timbered bunny?
Plus, I suspect the cat won't leave it alone.
The exceptional choreography by Rhodes is executed flawlessly by the ensemble with the on-brand "silliness factor" required.
The orchestra also joins in the fun, becoming part of the show, which heightens the overall enjoyment of the experience.
Since the show deals with a specific "type" of humor, i.e. the "Monty Python" brand of humor, it requires a firm grasp of the British absurdist colleagues which is so incredibly specific at times.
Some of Idle's interwoven vignettes do occasionally drag on, especially in the show's second act, but this is instantly forgiven by most "Python" fans who would complain they didn't add MORE classic "Python" material.
Other of Idle's more "naughty bits" happen so fast and subtly that they can be missed by the audience or simply fall flat.
A shining star who completely is in sync with the "Pythonesque" humor is Amanda Robles, a tidal wave of talent as the "Lady of the Lake."
Robles' is a vocal livewire, masterfully rendering featured songs such as "Find Your Grail" and "Whatever Happened to My Part?"
(Photo: The 2026 National Touring CAST of "MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT," now playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. until October 4, 2026. Photo Courtesy tour website and MurphyMade)
Steven Telsey appears as "Not Dead Fred" in the song "I Am Not Dead Yet" with prospective knights "Robin" (Sean Bell) and "Lancelot" (Chris Collins-Pisano) and the ensemble.
It cannot be overstated just how integral the ensemble is to the successful execution of the entire show.
In addition to "Fred," Telsey appears as our guide the "Historian," as well as "Herbert" who sings "Where Are You?" - standing out in many of the musical numbers, including the, um, exuberant "His Name Is Lancelot."
A virtuoso performance comes from phenomenal vocalist Leo Roberts as "Galahad" who duets with Robles on "The Song That Goes Like This."
Roberts, as with all those portraying kindred "knights" exists in that select group which completely embraces and conveys that much-required rhythm and execution of the Pythonesque brand of humor.
Of all the numbers in the Hanover show, “You Won’t Succeed on Broadway” is perfectly animated via Sean Bell, as "Sir Robin," leading this number with an abundance of energy while supported by the versatile ensemble.
(Photo: Amanda Robles as “The Lady of the Lake” in a moment from the 2026 National Tour of "MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT," now playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. until October 4, 2026. Photo Courtesy tour website and MurphyMade)
Costumes are spectacular and firmly in keeping with the original Broadway production.
Technically, the show is quite more advanced than when it first debuted on Broadway, and certain lines and/or pop cultural references have been updated accordingly (bye-bye-bye Britney, hello Mrs. Kelce), but "SPAMALOT" still retains much of its original charm.
The bulk of scene transitions occur expeditiously if not seamlessly.
Not so expeditiously uttered seems to be the dialogue which, if one listens carefully, seems to be paced a little slower than the original show (possibly in response to those claiming some of the jokes went by so quickly they were lost as a result).
(Photo: The 2026 National Touring CAST of "MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT," now playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. until October 4, 2026. Photo Courtesy tour website and MurphyMade)
Eric Idle once pointed out that (paraphrasing) "Python recognizes the form that it is in and calls attention to it" (be it television show, movie, book, record or, in the case of "SPAMALOT" a Broadway musical).
It also does so successfully in a humorous manner rather than try forcing the material into attempting something it cannot achieve.
This explains, in part, why the bulk of early Python sketches from their television show never had an "ending" and would simply, absurdly, transition to the next vignette.
Under the direction of Rhodes, the touring production honors this legacy by taking this same approach resulting in seamless transitions from start to finish, even if the finish doesn't necessarily feel "finished."
Whatever the destination, the touring production wisely and wittily calls attention to the town/city where it plays (Worcester/Boston/Finland) and its respective venue (Hanover Theatre/Emerson Colonial Theatre/Finland).
(Photo: The 2026 National Touring CAST of "MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT" now playing at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester, MA. until October 4, 2026. Photo Courtesy tour website and MurphyMade)
Before these valiant (and silly) knights once more depart to far-off (and sillier) lands, you must make it your quest to see this fabulously (silly) show while still in Massachusetts.
"MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT" continues at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester until October 4th, 2026 then, much like the European or African swallow, it migrates over to the Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston from October 6th through October 11th, 2026.
Bring your own coconuts.
"To horse!"
Note: This review is dedicated to the memory of Michael McGrath (1957-2023) of Worcester - a Tony Award-winner and Tony-nominee earned for setting such a high bar as the role of "Patsy" in the original Broadway cast.
Coming up next in the 2026-2027 season of the Hanover Theatre Broadway Series will be Alexander Dinelaris' jukebox musical adaptation of the Whitney Houston film "THE BODYGUARD" featuring a multitude of the singers hits, beginning November 6th, and running through November 8th, 2026.
For More Information call the Hanover Theatre in Worcester at # 877-571-SHOW (7469) or email info@thehanovertheatre.org.
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Approximately two hours, 30 minutes with one intermission.
Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)
@MetrmagReviews
@Theatre_Critics
ABOUT THE SHOW
The Tony Award-Winning Best Musical Comedy is BACK!
Hot off a critically acclaimed Broadway revival in 2023, "MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT" the Tony Award®-winning Best Musical, comes to Worcester.
Lovingly ripped off from the film classic "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," "SPAMALOT" features a book & lyrics by Eric Idle and music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle.
"MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT" has everything you need for a great knight at the theatre – from flying cows to killer rabbits, British royalty to French taunters, dancing girls, rubbery shrubbery, and of course, the Lady of the Lake.
"SPAMALOT" features songs that will leave you humming including “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” “The Song That Goes Like This,” “Find Your Grail” and more that have become beloved classics in musical theatre.
For More Information: 877-571-SHOW (7469) info@thehanovertheatre.org
BUY TICKETS
ABOUT HANOVER THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Worcester Center for Performing Arts is a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which owns and operates HANOVER THEATRE AND CONSERVATORY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
HANOVER THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
2 Southbridge Street
Worcester, MA. 01608
# 877-571-SHOW (7469)
