Tom Hewitt, Jonathan Hammond and More Set for TUTS' SPAMALOT

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is excited to announce the cast for the outrageous musical comedy Spamalot, running May 14 - 26 at the Hobby Center for The Performing Arts. Lovingly ripped off from the classic film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," this three-time Tony Award winning show spoofs the Arthurian legend amidst a chorus line of dancing divas and knights, flatulent Frenchmen, flying cows, killer rabbits and one legless knight. The show will be a co-production between TUTS and Kansas City Starlight Theatre.

Taking the stage as King Arthur will be Tom Hewitt. Hewitt has been nominated for both a Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for his work in Broadway's The Rocky Horror Show. His other work on Broadway includes Jesus Christ Superstar, Chicago, Dracula: The Musical and The Lion King. He has toured nationally in Peter Pan, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Urinetown.

True to its inspiration, Spamalot will feature several of the main characters in multiple roles throughout the show. The first cast member to play several roles is Jonathan Hammond, who will portray Sir Lancelot, The French Taunter, a Knight of Ni and Time the Enchanter. Hammond previously performed on Broadway in Ragtime and the national tour of Light In The Piazza. Brian Sears will appear as the Mayor, Patsy and as Guard 2. Sears counts The Book of Mormon, Lend Me A Tenor, Finian's Rainbow and Grease among his Broadway credits, and he played in the national tour of All Shook Up.

Two actors have appeared on Broadway in Spamalot - Brian Shepard and Kevin Covert. Shepard will appear as Prince Herbert as well as the Historian, Not Dead Fred, the French Guard and a Minstrel. Shepard's other work on Broadway includes Follies, Guys and Dolls, Young Frankenstein, Peter Pan and Annie Get Your Gun. He also toured nationally with Seussical. Covert will play Dennis' Mother, Sir Bedevere and Concorde. Covert was also seen on Broadway in Memphis and How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. TUTS audiences will remember him from Kiss Me, Kate. He also has played in the national tours of South Pacific and Cats.

Jeremy Webb will depict the roles of Sir Robin, Guard 1 and Brother Maynar. Webb's Broadway experience includes The Visit, and he won the prestigious Drama Desk Award for his role in off-Broadway's Tabletop. He also has appeared across the country in the regional theatre circuit including The Old Globe, The Kennedy Center, Shakespeare Theatre Company and the Huntington.

Rounding out the principal characters are Adam Monley and Janine DiVita. Monley will play Sir Dennis Galahad, The Black Knight and Prince Herbert's Father. He has appeared on Broadway in Mamma Mia! and he has toured nationally with Big River and The Phantom of the Opera. DiVita plays The Lady of the Lake. She counts Grease, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Anything Goes among her Broadway credits. She also appeared in the national tour of Young Frankenstein.

Completing the cast are Lindsay Bracco, Sam Burkett, Caitlin Cannon, Danny Dyer, Kayla Hall, Afra Hines, Laura Henning, Andrew Hodge, Logan Kesler, Sam Kiernan, Julia Krohn, Alissa LaVergne, Robin Masella, Patrick O'Neill, Chuck Ragsdale, Buddy Reeder, Michaeljon Slinger and Borris York.

Marc Robin will captain the creative team as the director and choreographer. His previous work at TUTS includes Swing and Cats. He is the recipient of 16 Joseph Jefferson Awards, three Barrymore Nominations, a Carbonell nomination, 13 After Dark Awards, a Broadway World Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Light Opera Works.

Jeff Rizzo will serve as the musical director and conductor. Rizzo last worked at TUTS in Yankee Doodle Dandy, Irving Berlin's White Christmas, and The Sound of Music. Rizzo has toured nationally with Annie, The Wizard of Oz and 42nd Street. Also joining the creative team are sound designer Kit Bond and lighting designer Richard Winkler.

Spamalot features music and lyrics by the Grammy Award winning team of Eric Idle and John Du Prez and book by Eric Idle.

Tickets (starting at only $24) are available on-line at TUTS.com, by phone at (713) 558-TUTS (8887), outside the Houston area at (888) 558-3882, or in person at the Theatre Under The Stars Box Office, located at 800 Bagby at Walker, Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Saturday - Sunday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. An audio described performance is available Sunday, May 26 at 2 p.m.; open captioning is available Sunday, May 26 at 7:30 p.m. The Hobby Center is wheelchair accessible. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. Group tickets may be purchased by calling (713) 558-8888 or via email at groupsales@tuts.com.

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