Photo Coverage: 'Spamalot' Welcomes Clay Aiken & Hannah Waddingham to Broadway

Monty Python's Spamalot welcomed two new stars in their Broadway debut at the Shubert Theatre on Friday, January 18 (225 West 44th Street): Recording-artist and "American Idol" runner-up, Clay Aiken as Sir Robin and Hannah Waddingham as The Lady of the Lake, direct from her starring role in the West End.

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 by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin.

The music is by Eric Idle and John DuPrez.  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.

Clay Aiken has sold more than 6 million albums; co-authored a best-selling book; and, played six sold-out concert tours. He won second-place in the second season of the hit FOX series "American Idol."

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.

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

Photos by Walter McBride / Retna Ltd

After his life as an ingenue in Brooklyn & Queens, Walter spent the next 25 Years in a leading role as a Photographer / Photo Researcher in Manhattan. He is currently headlining in New Jersey with his partner Richard and children Dali & Gala. As a 14 year old youth, Walter was transfixed by his first Broadway Show, the original production of "GREASE". His journey on the path to celebrity photojournalism began that fateful night. Meeting, photographing and getting to know the cast inspired him to spend his professional life doing what he loved. His photography is syndicated worldwide through Retna Ltd. and Corbis.

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