On this day, in 2005 at the Shubert Theatre, Spamalot officially opened on Broadway. Starring the likes of Tim Curry, David Hyde Pierce and Hank Azaria, it received 14 Tony Award nominations, winning three, including Best Musical.
Directed by film legend Mike Nichols, the initial run of the show was a crushing success, having been seen by over 2 million people and grossing over $175 million.
The show is a musical adaptation of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Written by Eric Idle and John Du Prez, it features Knights Who Say Ni, killer rabbits, accused witches and other Monty Python touches. The show takes swipes at Broadway conventions.
The show was performed in 2014 at the 5th Avenue Theatre. You can read that Encore Arts Program, here.
From the Tony Awards broadcast:
From the show:
And a piece by Charlie Rose: