The souvenir pedlars are back with their coconuts, killer rabbits and Spam, which can only mean it's time to look on the bright side of life with "Monty Python's Spamalot."

When better than Thanksgiving week for a musical that raises clever British silliness to the zenith? In fact, whenever would that not be welcome? Granted, Monty Python is a taste that escapes some, but "Spamalot" -- based on their first feature film, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" -- could just as well be called The Pythons Do Vegas, so cheerfully has the mother country sold out to American brashness and leggy showgirls.

In other words, you don't need to be a Python addict to have fun. The comedy runs from fart jokes and puns to parodies of Masterpiece Theater and Broadway classics (see how many you can spot), and from unrepentant political incorrectness (gays, Jews, Christians, Finns, Brits, the French) to silliness rebutted with straight-faced comic logic.

There are even Pittsburgh references and current political jokes I won't spoil by anticipating. So who wouldn't enjoy it? (I'm sure you'll let me know.)

Python wordsmith Eric Idle wrote the book and he and John DuPrez the music, originally composed for "Holy Grail" and "The Life of Brian." The original schtick-full direction is by Mike Nichols, and the choreography (often slapdash, since King Arthur and his knights point out that musical comedy is 1,000 years in the future) by Casey Nicholaw.

Previously here for three weeks two years ago, the tour has held up well. The musicians have been cut back to nine, at some cost, but the company has held at 20. As I said then, be warned that the seat for the audience participation bit changes at each performance, so don't pay extra for what you think is the "winning" ticket. In fact at Wednesday's performance, the winning seat wasn't ecen the one announced on stage.

That performance was a treat because curvaceous Pittsburgher Lyn Philistine was in as understudy for the female lead, the diva-licious Lady of the Lake. Jonathan Hadary is a winning King Arthur, the joke being that he doesn't have a clue. And the girls really are as gorgeous as they are funny, which is a lot.

"Spamalot" continues at the Benedum Center, Thurs. 7:30 p.m., Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2 and 8 p.m., Sun. 1 and 7 p.m.; $29.50-$70; 412-456-6666.