Monty Python's Spamalot Returns To Nashville 1/27-28

The Tony Award-winning Best Musical of 2005, Monty Python's Spamalot, will return to Nashville for three performances on January 27 and 28 at TPAC's Andrew Jackson Hall. Performance times are as follows: Friday evening at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Ticket prices range from $28 to $70.

Lovingly "ripped-off" from the internationally famous comedy team's most popular motion picture, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Monty Python's Spamalot is the winner of three 2005 Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Director (Mike Nichols), as well as the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for Best Musical. The original cast recording of Monty Python's Spamalot won the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.

"We jumped like a killer rabbit at the chance to bring Monty Python's Spamalot back for a special, limited engagement this season," said Kathleen O'Brien, TPAC's President and Chief Executive Officer. "I know die-hard fans of Monty Python and musical comedy are excited for another chance to escape into this hilarious and unapologetic parody of the King Arthur legend. And, if this is your first Python experience… not to worry, you won't miss a beat."

Adding a special hometown touch to the performances are cast members Thomas DeMarcus and Joe Beuerlein, who have roots in Tennessee. In keeping with the tradition of the originAl Monty Python comedy group, the musical cast plays multiple roles, but look for DeMarcus as Sir Bedevere, one of King Arthur's knights, and Beuerlein as a taunting French guard and the Historian who opens the show.

DeMarcus, who was born and raised in Nashville and has family here, developed his talent doing local theatre in the area. Beuerlein grew up south of Nashville and attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.

Based on the Tony Award winning direction of Mike Nichols and the riotous choreography of Casey Nicholaw, Monty Python's Spamalot features a book by Eric Idle, 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 music and lyrics by the Grammy Award-winning team of Mr. Idle and John Du Prez.

Telling the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and their quest for the Holy Grail, Monty Python's Spamalot features a chorus line of dancing divas and knights, flatulent Frenchmen, killer rabbits and one legless knight.

Monty Python's Spamalot is produced by Stephen B. Kane, Michael McFadden and Phoenix Entertainment.

Mike Nichols has been acclaimed as one of the great American directors in film, theater and television. He has won the Academy Award and eight Tony Awards. He recently received the Directors' Guild of America Award for Lifetime Achievement as well as a DGA Award for the direction of the HBO adaptation of Angels in America.

Casey Nicholaw's outstanding work on Monty Python's Spamalot earned him nominations for the Tony Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award and the Drama Desk Award. He followed up Monty Python's Spamalot with another smash hit Broadway musical, The Drowsy Chaperone for which he earned numerous nominations as director and choreographer.

Aside from his work with Monty Python in films and on TV, Eric Idle has written a West End play, Pass the Butler; three novels, including The Road to Mars, The Rutles - A Mockumentary; and many songs too rude to mention. He has sung opera, acted in movies, appeared on television and crossed America performing comedy on The Greedy Bastard Tour. His diary of his 15,000 mile journey by bus was recently published by Harper Collins, and his long awaited sequel The Rutles2: Can't Buy Me Lunch was released by Warner Video in March. There's no saying what he might do next...

John Du Prez has composed over 20 feature film scores including A Fish Called Wanda, A Private Function, The Meaning of Life, Personal Services, UHF, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles I, II & III. He has worked with Eric Idle since 1978.

Monty Python isn't a person, but a group of British actors and writers (and one American) that performed their famous comedy show Monty Python's Flying Circus on the BBC from 1969 to 1974, with subsequent international fame and success.

Tickets to Monty Python's Spamalot are on sale now. Ticket prices range from $28 to $70 and will be available at the TPAC box office (505 Deaderick Street), by visiting tpac.org, or by calling 615-782-4040. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling 615-782-4060.

For more information on Monty Python's Spamalot, visit: www.MontyPythonsSpamalot.com

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