Monty Python's Broadway hit Spamalot is leading the race for some of the top awards in theatre.

The over-the-top musical has been nominated for 12 Drama Desk accolades – more than any other show in New York.

Written by Eric Idle and based on the 1975 film Monty Python And The Holy Grail, the musical received muted critical acclaim when it opened, with most reviewers finding fault, but praising its exuberance.

Now it is up for awards including best musical, best actor in a musical (for both Simpsons regular Hank Azaria and Frasier star David Hyde Pierce), best director of a musical, for Hollywood veteran Mike Nichols, and outstanding book for Idle.

The Light in the Piazza, an operatic musical, was second in the nominations with 11, and Dave Gorman was nominated in the solo performance category for his Googlewhack Adventure, alongside Barry Humphries, Billy Crystal and Jackie Mason.

Gorman said: "I'm thrilled with this, my second, nomination. It gets even more ridiculous when I list the other nominees ."

The Drama Desk awards, which will be presented on May 22, are seen as an omen for the Tonys, the biggest accolades on Broadway.

Last week, Spamalot was also shortlisted for eight awards from the Outer Critics Circle, with Piazza attracting 11 nominations.