Review: MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT Presented by Broadway In Chicago

Monty Python’s Spamalot is a jubilant and genuinely hilarious touring rendition of the 2023 Broadway revival. If you’re looking for hearty laughs and a winning combo of slapstick humor,witty pop culture, and musical theater references, Spamalot’s got it in spades. 

Spamalot was one of the first Broadway musicals I saw nearly 20 (!) years ago. I’m thrilled to see it back in Chicago still strongly sporting Monty Python’s particular brand of humor. This musical provides fun with a capital “f,” and the winsome touring cast directed and choreographed by Josh Rhodes maximize said fun. Book writer and lyricist Eric Idle (who co-composed with John Du Prez) has also refreshed the book and lyrics with some new pop culture references.

While the production itself isn’t the flashiest, Jen Caprio’s costumes provide lots of color and flare (and glitter — for the Lady of the Lake) and Paul Tate DePoo III’s set and projections provide that specific Spamalot sense of place.

I much appreciate Spamalot’s mix of both dumb jokes and snappy pop culture references. It still works incredibly well, and it’s a delight. This show also remains both a great entry point to musical theater AND a show for the “real ones.”

“You Won’t Succeed On Broadway” is perhaps one of my favorite musical numbers ever. In his quest to find the Holy Grail, King Arthur (Major Attaway), his assistant Patsy (Blake Segal) and the other Kings of the Round Table are tasked with putting on a musical. The cowardly Sir Robin is tasked with reminding King Arthur that he won’t succeed in that task...without a Jew. Sean Bell is absolutely fantastic as raving Broadway fan Sir Robin. The number remains as lively and crisp as ever. 

Attaway is simultaneously commanding and daffy as Arthur. Segal is immensely charming as Patsy, particularly in the Monty Python classic “Always Look On The Bright Side of Life.”

Chris Collins-Pisano is also delectably clueless as Sir Lancelot (and has a stellar turn as the leading Knight of Ni). Collins-Pisano has great line deliveries.

Overall, this whole ensemble works to bring the magic and hilarity of Spamalot to vivid life. I laughed genuinely so hard during this show. It provides a much needed jolt of joy.
 

Perhaps the show’s greatest asset is Amanda Robles as the Lady of the Lake. Robles is an absolute superstar. She has great comedic timing and a lively, commanding Stage Presence. Her vocal range and impressions are also wildly delicious. She has a gorgeous crystalline soprano but she also imitates other female powerhouse singers deftly. I was happy to see that her second act solo “Diva’s Lament” also now has her being replaced by Taylor Swift instead of the original Britney Spears.

Overall, Spamalot is a gloriously fun time — with lots of fresh pop culture references for more casual theatergoers and musical theater in-jokes for those in the know. Spamalot is escapist, joyful musical theater hijinks — and it was exactly the kind of show I wanted to see right now. 

The Broadway In Chicago engagement of Monty Python’s Spamalot runs through May 31, 2026 at the CIBC Theatre, 18 West Monroe Street. Tickets are $35.00 - $135.00 with a select number of premium tickets available.
 

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