Spamalot still more fun than Camelot

​Monty Python’s Spamalot is the story of .. come on, does it rmatter? If you want to get technical about it (and why would you?), it’s a new musical lovingly ripped off from the motion picture “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” I’m quoting from the playbill here. Its book and lyrics were written by Python troupe member Eric Idle, with music by Idle and John Du Prez. A couple of years after swinging through town at the Civic Theatre under the auspices of Broadway San Diego, Spamalot is making its regional debut at Welk Resort Theatre. It’s a Premiere Productions staging co-produced by Randall Hickman and Douglas Davis. It’s also zany, ridiculous and a guilty pleasure.
            Sure, some of the gags are as subtle as a grenade, and others are strictly for Python-heads. But even novices who never watched the TV shows or saw the movies should enjoy Spamalot’s musical spoofing of Broadway itself, as well as its cartoonish characters. This production is anchored by Bob Himlin as King Arthur and, among the ensemble, a Python-worthy Jason Palmer as Sir Robin. The sound in the Welk Theater on opening night was iffy and the sets are middling, but the costumes and choreography (the latter by Shirley Johnston) contribute mightily to the fun.