Click for More Articles on AMERICAN IDOL...

Photo Coverage: SPAMALOT'S Clay Aiken Makes A Fan's Birthday Extra Special

Clay Aiken returned to the scene of his triumphant Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Monty Python's SPAMALOT on September 19th. Clay's debut on Broadway earlier this year was met with wild enthusiasm from both his legion of fans and the New York press. After the performance on Friday December 5th the Broadway actor and music superstar made one lucky fans birthday something special by stopping by and signing her program and wishing her a very happy birthday. Broadwayworld's camera was there to join in on all the b-day fun!

Monty Python's SPAMALOT, the 2005 Tony Award® winning Broadway smash hit musical lovingly ripped-off from the internationally famous comedy team's most popular motion picture, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, will play its last pair of coconuts on Sunday, January 11, 2009 following the evening performance, after 1,574 performances (and 35 previews) at the Shubert Theatre in New York.

The current cast of Monty Python's SPAMALOT includes Michael Siberry and Merle Dandridge who play ‘King Arthur' and ‘Lady of the Lake' respectively, Tom Deckman, Rick Holmes, Bradley Dean, Wally Dunn and David Hibbard.

Clay Aiken, who finishes his return engagement in the production on January 4, 2009, stars as Sir Robin.

When he made his Broadway debut in SPAMALOT at the beginning of this year, Newsday said "Aiken is a charmer" and the Associated Press said that "Clay Aiken deftly handles supremely silly."

Clay Aiken became a music superstar following his success on the "American Idol" television series, and has sold more than six million albums; co-authored a best-selling book; and, played six sold-out concert tours, said "Since leaving SPAMALOT in May, jokes have just not been funny. Food has lost its taste. The grass is no longer green -- the sky no longer blue. And, babies WON'T stop crying!! I'm so excited about coming back to the funniest show in the world!"

This past spring, Aiken released his fourth album, On My Way Here, his first album of original songs since his 2003 chart topping, double platinum debut Measure of a Man. On My Way Here's debut in Billboard Magazine's Top 5 continued his streak of all four of his albums having debuted in the Top 5.

Directed by Mike Nichols, who won his eighth Tony Award for his direction of the new musical, Monty Python's SPAMALOT has a book by Eric Idle, "lovingly ripped-off" from the screenplay of the Pythons' best- loved film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail byGraham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. The music is by Eric Idle and John Du Prez.

Tickets are available online now at telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200/(800) 432-7250.

Other members of the SPAMALOT creative team include Casey Nicholaw(choreography), multiple Olivier Award-winners Tim Hatley (sets and costumes) and Hugh Vanstone (lighting) and Acme Sound Partners.

Winning more awards than any other show in the 2005 Broadway Season, including the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Cast Recording, SPAMALOT has set box office records since opening on Broadway to critical acclaim in March, 2005 at the flagship Shubert Theatre.

Monty Python's SPAMALOT is currently running in London's West End at the Palace Theatre and is also on National Tour around the US. Monty Python's SPAMALOT is produced by Boyett Ostar Productions, The Shubert Organization, Arielle Tepper,Stephanie McClelland/Lawrence Horowitz, Elan V. McAllister/Allan S. Gordon, Independent Presenters Network, Roy Furman, GRS Associates, Jam Theatricals, TGA Entertainment and Live Nation.

For more information on SPAMALOT, please visit: www.montypythonsspamalot.com

Photos by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

Clay Aiken