Monty Python's SPAMALOT to Open 7/29 at Pittsburgh CLO

Join the quest for the Holy Grail July 29-August 3 with Monty Python's Spamalot. Based on the classic film comedy "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," Spamalot is the award-winning Broadway musical that took the Tony Awards by storm in 2005.

Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical, Monty Python's Spamalot is the outrageous musical comedy lovingly ripped off from the film classic "Monty Python and The Holy Grail." This hilarious retelling of the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on their quest for the Holy Grail features flying cows, killer rabbits, taunting Frenchmen and show-stopping musical numbers including "The Song That Goes Like This" and "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life!"

ABOUT THE CAST

Robert Creighton (Mayor) appeared on Broadway in: The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Durdles), Anything Goes (Purser/Moonface) Chicago (Amos), The Lion King (Timon), The Little Mermaid (Chef Louis), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Laughing Room Only TV: "Elementary," "Law & Order," "Life on Mars." Co-author and star of CAGNEY the award winning new musical about film legend James Cagney. Debut album: AIN'T WE GOT FUN!

Michael Brian Dunn (Sir Bedevere) starred in Pittsburgh CLO's productions of CATS and The Full Monty. Broadway: The Life, CATS, Guys and Dolls, Big River, Baby, Sweeney Todd. National/International Tours: Amadeus, HMS Pinafore, If This Hat Could Talk, Stratford Festival Canada: HMS Pinafore, (Ralph Rackstraw) Nina and the Twelve Months, Tokyo, (performed in Japanese) Off Broadway: Perfect Crime, Ensemble Studio Theater, Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know, Love In Two Countries, Lenny and The Heartbreakers & Death Of Von Richthofen both at New York Shakespeare Festival, Gifts of the Magi, Kenedy's Children. Regional Theaters: All over the country. Television: "Law and Order CI, Trial by Jury, S.V.U." Film: "Julie & Julia" (Ivan Cousins) starring Meryl Streep.

Tyler Hanes (Sir Galahad) preformed on Broadway/NY in: A Chorus Line (Larry), A Bed & A Chair: A New York Love Affair, Hairspray (Link), Juno (Johnny Boyle), Sweet Charity (Charlie), The Frogs, The Boy From Oz, Urban Cowboy, Oklahoma! Other favorites: Mary Poppins (Bert), On The Town (Gabey), All Shook Up (Chad), Cabaret (Cliff), Les Miserables (Enjolras), CLO's 42nd Street (Billy), Footloose (Ren), Fosse (first national tour).

Tom Hewitt (King Arthur) has been seen on Broadway in Jesus Christ Superstar, Chicago, Dracula; The Musical, Frank N Furter in The Rocky Horror Show (Tony, Drama Desk nominations), The Lion King. National tours: Urinetown, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Peter Pan. Off Broadway: Treasure Island, Jeffery, Beau Jest (Outer Critics nomination). Recent Regional Credits: Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (La Jolla Playhouse), Kiss Me, Kate (Muny, Reprise! LA), Travesties (Long Wharf, CT Critics Award). Film and TV: Law and Order, All My Children, Julie Taymors' Fools' Fire.

Adam Pelty (Sir Lancelot) has performed on Broadway in: Cyrano - The Musical, Steel Pier, Joseph..., A Christmas Carol, Titanic, The Scarlet Pimpernel (original choreographer). Regional: The Drowsy Chaperone (Jeff nom); Putting It Together (Jeff nom); Spamalot at Drury Lane, Fulton Theatre and Maine State (Robin and Lance). Current: Professor of Theatre at Coastal Carolina University in Myrtle Beach, Billy Elliot at Ogunquit Playhouse (choreographer).

Brian Shepard (Prince Herbert) appeared in the original Broadway companies of Spamalot, Young Frankenstein and the most recent Broadway revivals of Follies, Guys & Dolls, Annie Get Your Gun and Peter Pan. He just played Bud Frump in H2$ at Walnut Street.

Elizabeth Stanley (The Lady of the Lake) starred in the role of Lucy in Pittsburgh CLO's production of Jekyll and Hyde. Broadway original roles: Dyanne-Million Dollar Quartet; Allison-Cry-Baby, and April-Company (2007 Tony Award). First National Tour: Kira-Xanadu. NY: Gussie- Merrily We Roll Along at New York City Center, Encores! Off-Broadway: The Nurse-Hello, Again (Drama League Nomination). TV: The Black Box, Made in Jersey, Fringe, The Chappelle Show, and PBS Great Performances. Regional: Barrington Stage Company, Goodspeed, Sacramento Music Circus, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Rep. of St. Louis, O'Neill, La Jolla Playhouse, Pioneer Theatre Company, Cincinnati Playhouse.

Jeremy Webb (Sir Robin) has been seen in Pittsburgh CLO productions of Camelot and The Full Monty. His Pittsburgh credits include: The Glorious Ones (premiere) at Pittsburgh Public. The Visit (Broadway, The Actors Fund); Lincoln Center Theater: The Glorious Ones (Original Cast Recording); The Baltimore Waltz; Tabletop (Drama Desk Award); Photograph 51, BFF, Reading Under The Influence. Also Williamstown, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Alley, O'Neill, McCarter, LA Theatre Works, New York Stage and Film; The Old Globe, Long Wharf Theatre; Hangar Theatre, and Sir Robin in Spamalot at TUTS, Theatre Under The Stars and Fulton. His film and television credits include: "Love Walked In," "Law and Order," "Law and Order: SVU," "Law and Order: Criminal Intent."

Spamalot is complete with a talented ensemble, including Sal Bucci, Jesse Carrey, Lucas Fedele, Tsilala Graham-Haynes, Stephanie Maloney, Connor McRory, Mara Newbery, Will Porter, Ethan Saviet, Liz Schmitz, Jenna Nicole Schoen and Katie Terza.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM

Marc Robin (Director/Choreographer) has staged over 300 shows throughout the country, including theatres such as Walnut Street, Chicago Shakespeare, Steppenwolf, Marriott, Skylight, Maine State, TUTS and The Fulton theatre where he has served as Artistic Director for the past 5 seasons. He has received many awards and honors. (54 Jeff nominations, 16 Jeff Awards, 13 After Dark Awards, 4 Barrymore nominations, 6 Broadway World Nominations and one Broadway World award, 3 Arizoni Awards, A lifetime Achievement Award and others.).

Tom Helm (Music Director) returns for his 19th season with Pittsburgh CLO. His theater credits include the Broadway productions of Souvenir, LES MISERABLES, Me and My Girl, Cats and Brigadoon. He has also contributed his talents to television programs such as "Crazy For You" and the "Today Show." Mr. Helm has conducted at Radio City Music Hall, Paper Mill Playhouse and many other regional and national theaters.

Andrew David Ostrowski (Lighting Designer) recently completed work on Pittsburgh CLO's Ring of Fire at the CLO Cabaret, as well as Hope and Gravity at City Theatre. He has designed for every local company in Pittsburgh. National credits include: The Asolo, Virginia Stage Company, North Shore Music Theatre, Merrimack Reparatory Company, The Arden Theatre Company, Spoleto Festival USA, Dallas Summer Musicals, Theater of the Stars, Madison Opera, as well as others. International credits include productions in Ireland, Scotland, Sweden, France, and touring all of Western Europe.

HISTORY OF THE SHOW

Monty Python's Spamalot is a musical comedy adapted from the 1975 film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." According to Eric Idle, one of Spamalot's original creators, the title of the show comes from a line in the movie: "We eat ham, and jam and Spam a lot."

Previews of the show began in Chicago's Shubert Theatre February 14, 2005 and the show officially opened March 17, 2005. The original Broadway production in 2005, directed by Mike Nichols, won three Tony Awards, including the Tony Award for Best Musical and received 14 Tony Award nominations. During its initial run of more than 1,500 performances, it was seen by more than two million people and grossed over $175 million.

A London production of Spamalot opened at the Palace Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue in the West End on September 30, 2006, with tickets on sale booking to November 2008. The show has continued to tour in more than 15 different countries around the world.

ABOUT THE ORIGINAL CREATIVE TEAM

John Du Prez (Music) is a musician and composer best known as a past member of 1980's multi-hit New Wave Salsa group Modern Romance (1981-83). After his time with the band, Du Prez concentrated on composing music scores for films like the Rob Lowe vehicle, Oxford Blues (1984), A Fish Called Wanda (1988), and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990). He has since collaborated with ex- Modern Romance frontman David Jaymes a number of times, most notably on the feature film Fascination (2004), and their single 'Best Years of Our Lives' featured in Shrek (2001). John is friend to Eric Idle and has worked with him on numerous Monty Python projects including Life of Brian (1979) and The Meaning of Life (1983). He and Eric wrote and performed the song 'Really Nice Day' in the animated movie The Wild (2006).

Eric Idle (Book & Lyrics) was one of the core members of the comedy troupe who starred in the hit TV show Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969-74) and one of "The Rutles," a satirical rock band based on The Beatles. The success of Monty Python's television show led to several feature films that Idle appeared in and co-scripted, including Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) and Life of Brian (1979). Apart from Monty Python, Idle created the mockumentary TV feature The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash (1978) and has appeared in several television and movie roles, including voice work in features such as 102 Dalmations (2000, with Glenn Close) and Ella Enchanted (2004, with Anne Hathaway). In 2005 Idle's stage adaptation of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, titled Spamalot (starring Tim Curry), earned him the Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical and for Best Original Score.

Tickets are available online at pittsburghCLO.org, by calling 412-456-6666 or at the Box Office at Theater Square. Groups of 10 or more enjoy exclusive discounts and specialty packages. Call our Group Sales Hotline at 412-325-1582 for more information. Visit pittsburghCLO.org for further information.

Since 1946, the Pittsburgh CLO has been the driving force behind live musical theater in Pittsburgh and the entire Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Under the direction of Van Kaplan since 1997, this not-for-profit arts organization appreciates the support of nearly 200,000 patrons each year and produces a subscription series, educational programs, national tours and develops and invests in new works, including 19 Broadway shows (25 Tony Awards) featuring the current productions of Cinderella, Kinky Boots and Matilda. Its dedication to the musical theater art form extends to include such programs as the CLO Academy, the CLO Mini Stars, the Gene Kelly Awards, the Richard Rodgers Award the National High School Musical Theater Awards, the Construction Center for the Arts and the CLO Cabaret.

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