ESCANABA – The Players de Noc production Monty Python’s Spamalot opens Friday, Feb. 28, at the Bonifas Fine Arts Theater in Escanaba.

Director Jeff Woerpel says he picked the play because of the humor.

“When I first picked it I knew it was going to be funny because you get to do the skits of the Black Knight and things that people are going to recognize if you’ve seen the movies. But also every couple of minutes there’s a big production number coming up and there’s lots of dancing and things going on on stage,” Woerpel said.

Monty Python’s Spamalot tells the tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on their quest for the Holy Grail.

Jordon Jester plays Sir Lancelot. This is his first Players play and he says he was terrified when he tried out but is now enjoying his part.

“My character is described as homicidely brave. He’s a hoot to play, he really is. He’s just crazy,” Lester said.

There are 29 people in the cast. Sam Bender plays several parts in the play including Prince Herbert.

“He’s a rather unfortunate youth who’s kind of trapped by his father in the swamp castle and eventually he’s saved by Sir Lancelot who thinks he is saving a damsel in distress,” Bender said.

The musical runs Feb. 28 and March 1 with a Sunday matinee on March 2. And then it runs again March 5 through the 8. Tickets are sale online at playersdenoc.org or at the Bonifas.

Woerpel says there is a lot of effort going into this year’s Players de Noc production.

“Next year will be my 25th year with Players and I’ve been directing since the 90s but I’ve never seen so many people work so hard on a show,” he said. “There is so much to it with all the costumes, all the sets and all the choreography. Special effects have to go along with it. If you know the movie you know the things that have to happen and so we have to do it right while on stage. We have a lot people working hard on this show.”