COEUR d'ALENE - Sharp swords, even sharper wit.

Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre, in its 45th year, dug deep in the cult movie world for inspiration on its next production, the wacky and outrageous musical spoof, "Monty Python's Spamalot," which opens Thursday.

"Spamalot," the saying goes, is "lovingly ripped-off" from the cult classic "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," the cult movie from England that has attracted a devoted audience spread across countries and age groups.

Don't worry if you haven't seen the movie. The spoof parodies a number of topics, so it's not a running inside joke for the select few.

That said, rabid cultists will howl at their favorite parts, such as the Knights Who Say "Ni," the taunting Frenchmen and the homicidal rabbit.

As for funny, take it from Artistic Director Roger Welch, whose cast has had a hard time making it through a dry run without breaking character.

"We can hardly get through rehearsals," he said. "We've just been laughing non-stop."

Cracking up, is how the director for the last 18 years put it.

And comic actors from across the country make up the staff of 19. While comedy is harder to produce than drama when it comes to plays, the all-star cast has made the director's job a breeze.

"They all know what they're doing so they make it easy," said Welch, director of 100-plus plays but calling this English spoof production "absolutely the funniest show I've ever directed."

The show retells the legend of King Arthur, who travels across England in search of knights for his round table to go on a quest for the Holy Grail. It features zany duels, tap-dancing knights, the Black Death and a coconut-clopping "horse" named Patsy. The show affectionately but mercilessly pokes fun at everything from chivalry to history, politics, religion and musical theater itself.

Again, you do not have to be a "Monty Python" fan to love this play.

It's racked up awards since hitting Broadway, winning three Tony Awards, including Best Musical for 2004-2005, with 14 nominations. During its initial run of 1,500 performances, it was seen by more than two million people, and grossed more than $175 million.

"Spamalot" will run for two weeks, July 26 to Aug. 5 in North Idaho College's Boswell Hall Schuler Performing Arts Center, 880 W. Garden Ave.

Performances are held Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.cdasummertheatre.com, or by calling the box office at (208) 769-7780. Tickets are $39.95 for adults, $35.95 for seniors and $31.95 each for groups of 10 or more.

CST finishes its regular season lineup with "Ragtime," the sweeping, musical epic set in turn-of-the century America, playing Aug. 16-26.

Meet the Cast

King Arthur - Eric Polani Jensen

Sir Robin - Christian Duhamel

Sir Lancelot - Dane Stokinger

Patsy - Brian Demar Jones

Sir Dennis Galahad - Kurt Raimer

Sir Bedevere - Patrick Treadway

The Lady of the Lake - Darcy Wright

Historian - Andrew Ware Lewis

Ensemble: Jeremy Adams, Meagan Becker, Joann Coleman, Ashley D'lyn Cooper, Max Demers, Zachary Karon, Mallory King, Heidi Kok, Gabriel Lawson, Joy Martin, Nate McVicker, Christopher Moll

Director -Roger Welch

Musical Director - Jim Ryan

Choreographer - Christopher Moll

Set Design - Cameron Anderson

Costume Design - Jessica Ray

King Arthur - Eric Polani Jensen

Sir Robin - Christian Duhamel

Sir Lancelot - Dane Stockinger

Patsy - Brian Demar Jones

Sir Dennis Galahad - Kurt Raimer

Sir Bedevere - Patrick Treadway

The Lady of the Lake - Darcy Wright

Historian - Andrew Ware Lewis

Ensemble: Jeremy Adams, Meagan Becker, Joann Coleman, Ashley D'lyn Cooper, Max Demers, Zachary Karon, Mallory King, Heidi Kok, Gabriel Lawson, Joy Martin, Nate McVicker, Christopher Moll

Director -Roger Welch

Musical Director - Jim Ryan

Choreographer - Christopher Moll

Set Design - Cameron Anderson

Costume Design - Jessica Ray