All the absurdity, plus musical numbers: ‘Spamalot’ comes to Anchorage

From medieval times to modern day, philosophy and art have long shared a close relationship, with great works attempting to answer some of humankind’s most pressing questions - what is the meaning of life? Do we have free will? And what, indeed, is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?

Audiences will be delighted to find answers to at least one of these questions next week as the Anchorage Concert Association, in their final production of the year, presents “Monty Python’s Spamalot.”

A musical adaptation of the 1975 comedy classic “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” “Spamalot” been a popular touring production since 2004, winning 14 Tony Award nominations and the 2006 Grammy Award for best musical show album.

“Spamalot” follows King Arthur, his dutiful coconut-clacking companion Patsy, and his Knights of the Round Table in their gallant quest for the holy grail. On their journey, and accompanied by aggressively fake accents, Arthur debates with peasants over the morality of a monarchy, the knights fight off a killer rabbit, and there’s even time for a brief cameo by Don Quixote, the original bumbling fool of a knight. Arthur and his merry men battle and sing their way through all sorts of hijinks and through it all poke fun at some of Broadway’s most beloved works like “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Chicago.”

Harkening back to “Monty Python’s” roots, each musical number and scene presents almost like its own separate sketch, each of which contributes to the crafting of the larger story. Supremely quotable, “Spamalot’s” absurdity reflects the genius of Monty Python and celebrates their enduring comedic legacy.

King Arthur’s quest will leave the audience confused, laughing and perhaps with more questions than answers, but the only important one will be - African or European?

Monty Python’s “Spamalot”

When: May 7-12

Where: Atwood Concert Hall

Tickets: Available at CenterTix.com and starting at $49.25