The old saying goes that ‘dying is easy, comedy is hard,’ but Spamalot at the 5th Avenue Theatre begs to differ. This tour-de-force of silliness makes high-stakes comedy look like a walk in the park, or perhaps a gallop through a forest. It brings a much-needed sense of levity to the Seattle stage.

Landing in Seattle at what feels like the perfect moment, this “lovingly ripped off” adaptation of Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a spectacle, a high-octane antidote to… well, everything. It is silly, irreverent, and unapologetically bananas in all the best ways.

A Royal Welcome

A show this big needs a room to match and the 5th Avenue Theatre delivers a fittingly epic backdrop for this revitalized 2005 Tony winning production.  Playing to a nearly sold-out house at last night’s preview, the energy inside the theater was infectious, with a crowd that remained hooked from the first “Finland” mishap to the final chorus of “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.”

The Quest for Comedy

This production thrives on its breakneck pacing and a cast that nails the shorthand of Python-esque humor, delivering a mix of high-brow intellect and low-brow slapstick.

Leading the Spamalot charge, Major Attaway is a delight as a regally confused King Arthur. Amanda Robles delivers a powerhouse turn as the Lady of the Lake with spot-on comedic timing and a belt that reaches the back of the balcony and beyond.

The ensemble doesn’t miss a beat whether it’s the flatulent Frenchmen or the Knights who say “Ni,” delivering Josh Rhodes’ direction and choreography with a sharp, satirical bite.

The Verdict: A Must-See

For all its killer rabbits and tongue-in-cheek tropes, this Spamalot succeeds because it never lets up and it never loses sight of its heart. If you’re a Monty Python fan (or even if your not), there is much to love and laugh at during this raucous night out. 

But much like a fleeting vision of the Grail, this production won’t be in town for long. Spamalot officially opens Friday and runs only through February 15. If you’re looking for a night of pure, unadulterated escapism, grab your coconuts and head to the 5th Avenue Theatre before the quest ends.