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Photo Flash: Monty Python's 'Spamalot' With Aiken, Siberry and Dandridge

MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT, the Tony Award winning musical lovingly ripped-off from the internationally famous comedy team’s most popular motion picture, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, is currently playing at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre (225 West 44th St.).

SPAMALOT won the 2005 Tony Award for Best Musical, the 2005 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical, and the 2005 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Musical.

Michael Siberry and Merle Dandridge play ‘King Arthur’ and ‘Lady of the Lake’ respectively. They are joined by “American Idol” finalist Clay Aiken, Tom Deckman, Rick Holmes, Bradley Dean, Wally Dunn and David Hibbard.

SPAMALOT features a book and lyrics by Eric Idle, music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle, direction by Mike Nichols, choreography by Casey Nicholaw and is based on the screenplay of Monty Python and the Holy Grail by Monty Python creators Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin, with an entirely new score with two songs from the 1975 film and the Python classic “Always Look On The Bright Side of Life” from 1979’s The Life of Brian.

In addition, to the Tony Award for Best Musical, SPAMALOT received the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical (Mike Nichols) and Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Sara Ramirez).

In addition to the myriad legitimate theatrical awards with which SPAMALOT has been honored, it also holds The Guinness World Recordä for “World’s Largest Coconut Orchestra” which was set on April 23, 2007 when 5,567 fans gathered in Trafalgar Square and accompanied original Python members Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam to “Always Look On The Bright Side of Life.”

Telling the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and their quest for the Holy Grail, SPAMALOT features a chorus line of dancing divas and knights, flatulent Frenchmen, a killer rabbit and one legless knight.

Monty Python’s SPAMALOT is produced by Ostar Boyett 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.

The set and costume design for SPAMALOT is by Tony® Award-winner Tim Hatley, with lighting design by Hugh Vanstone and sound design by Acme Sound Partners. The musical director/vocal arranger is Todd Ellison. Others on the creative and production teams include Gregory Meeh (Special Effects Design), Todd Ellison (Musical Director), Larry Hochman (Orchestrations), Glen Kelly (Music Arrangements), Michael Keller (Musical Coordinator), Peter Lawrence (Associate Director), Tara Rubin (Casting), and Gene O’Donovan (Production Manager).

MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT had its world premiere at Chicago’s Shubert Theatre playing five sold out weeks (December 21, 2004 – January 23, 2005). SPAMALOT began previews at New York’s Shubert Theatre on February 14, 2005 and opened on March 17, 2005.

In addition to New York, a national touring production continues to do record business across North America and a West End production is celebrating its third year of box office success at London’s Palace Theatre.

The Grammyâ Award-winning Original Broadway cast recording of MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT is currently available on Decca Broadway.

MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT ticket info: Tickets range from $116.50 - $36.50. Telecharge 212-239- 6200 or www.telecharge.com.

PLAYING SCHEDULE: Tuesday-Saturday at 8 PM, Saturday matinee at 2 PM, and Sunday at 2 PM and 7 PM.

www.MontyPythonsSpamalot.com