The historian tries to start the story by saying it's set in England, only for the ensuing Setting Introduction Song to be the classic Monty Python "Finnish fish slap dance" turned into a full musical number celebrating Finland. The historian returns and irritably says "I said England!"
"The Song That Goes Like This." Each time the Lady of the Lake and Galahad try to bring the song to a close, the key just modulates again. By the final chorus, they're screaming "Oh, GODDAMMIT!" at the orchestra.
Arthur: We have a Quest: To find the Grail! Robin: The quail? Arthur: ...no, the Grail. The vessel used at the Last Supper. Robin: They had a boat at the last supper? Was it a sort of dinner cruise? Arthur: The Grail is a cup! Robin: ...God the Almighty and All-Knowing has misplaced a cup? Galahad: Apparently? Robin: Doesn't seem very plausible, does it? If God is all-knowing, he must know where it is! Galahad: It does seem rather strange... and there must be other cups he could use. Robin: Yes! Couldn't we just buy him a new one? Arthur: Look, it's not just about a missing mug! It's — a metaphor! We must all look for the Grail... within us! Robin:SOMEBODY SWALLOWED IT?!
The battle between King Arthur and the Black Knight is 100% pure hilarity.
"It's only a flesh wound!"
"You stupid bastard, you've got no arms!"
In the touring production, at least, they distract the audience from setting up the "legless" special effect by having a monk come on asking for "a'msnote Meant to be "alms," like donations, but pronouncing it like "arms," which Patsy gladly throws into the basket for the poor"
In "You Won't Succeed on Broadway", Sir Robin, his Minstrels and the Knight Chorus re-enact the Bottle Dance scene from Fiddler on the Roof... with grails on their heads. Robin's first mention of "if we don't have any Jews" is usually met with a full minute of laughter as well.
Robin: You may have dancing mana-mano, You may bring on a piano, But they will not give a damn-o If you don't have any Jews!
Once the song is over, Arthur often has to leave a considerable amount of time for the audience to stop laughing before he can say "Gosh."
"Run Away". "Fetchez les can-can dancers" is one of the funniest lines in the show, and much squeeing ensues from the girls.
Meta-funny: "Diva's Lament" ("Whatever Happened to My Part?") is great fun on its own, but then Sara Ramirez won a Tony Award for singing it — their line of "I've no Tony Awards" had to change because now they had one. ("My Tony Awards won't keep me out of Betty Ford's".)
Strangely, in the 2023 revival, Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer sings the updated lyric, which is odd because not only does she not have any Tony Awards, she hasn't even been nominated.
Patsy: Well, sir... I'm a Jew. Arthur: ...Well, why on earth didn't you say so, Patsy? Patsy: I'm sorry, sir, but... it's just not the sort of thing you tell a heavily-armed Christian.
"I'm All Alone". Arthur singing about how alone he is? Sad. Patsy standing right there? Really sad. A bunch of other knights joining in Arthur's lament of how alone he is? Priceless.
The Reveal of the Lady of the Lake's true identity.
Arthur: I can't just call you 'Lady.' Do you have a name? Lady: Everyone has a name, Arthur. Arthur: What is yours? Lady: My name is...Guinevere. Lancelot: ...Holy shit.
His name is Lance-a-lot, and in tight pants-a-lot!
Arthur: I thought you were a fairy. Lady of the Lake: No, that's Lancelot.
