Wednesday night's opening performance of "Monty Python's Spamalot" at the Ahmanson ended with creator Eric Idle taking the stage (to a standing ovation, though his name was never used) and describing how the Tony-winning musical comedy was conceived and written in L.A. with an eye toward some day playing at the Ahmanson. "This is a Los Angeles play," said Idle, who brought composer John Du Prez on stage as well and paid tribute to the other members of Monty Python. Spamalot begins as a retelling of the 1975 film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" but morphs into a send-up of Broadway musicals that the audience seemed to love. The opening night crowd also roared at new lyrics poking fun at Sarah Palin; yes, Russia is mentioned. John O’Hurley plays the lead role of King Arthur, as he did for two years in Las Vegas.

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