Eric Idle adds an orchestra to Monty Python comedy

The Monty Python star and "Spamalot" writer is bringing his silliness back to the stage with "Not the Messiah," a musical comedy hodgepodge that features a full orchestra and the occasional leaf blower.

"Musically we've put it in," Idle said.

After putting on the production in Toronto and Sydney, Australia, (and a one-off performance in upstate New York), Idle and composer-conductor John Du Prez are bringing the show stateside for a limited run.

"Not the Messiah" gives a musical stage treatment to "Life of Brian" the way "Spamalot" did for "Monty Python and the Holy Grail."

"In many ways, 'Spamalot' made it possible for us to do this sort of thing," Idle said. "People take us seriously that we'll put it on, but also it means that we're not so obsessed, we don't have to make a fortune out of it, we can just make it work for its own cost."

Backed by a 104-piece orchestra, Idle and his comedic crew will perform "Not the Messiah" at Wolf Trap National Park in Vienna, Va.; the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles; and the Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia.

The Los Angeles show will also feature fireworks and a 32-member bagpipe band, Idle said.

The 65-year-old actor, writer and composer, who has crafted more than 300 comedic songs over the past 30 years, said he's always been moved to set his comedy to music.

"Orchestras and choirs love it," he said. "They don't often get to wear miners helmets and do doo-wop."