Photo Flash: Monty Python's SPAMALOT Plays San Diego

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. This Broadway/San Diego ~ A Nederlander Presentation will clip-clop its way into the San Diego Civic Theatre from September 8 - 13, 2009.

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.

Directed by Mike Nichols, 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. Casey Nicholaw (directed LJPH/B'way The Drowsy Chaperone, Lucky Duck at the Globe) is the choreographer. The original cast recording of Monty Python's Spamalot won the 2006 Grammy Award® for Best Musical Show Album. Monty Python's Spamalot is produced by Boyett Ostar Productions.

The cast for this San Diego engagement will feature Christopher Gurr as King Arthur; Merle Dandridge as The Lady of the Lake; James Beaman as Sir Robin/Guard 1/Brother Maynard; Ben Davis as Sir Dennis Galahad; Jeff Dumas as Mayor/Patsy/Guard 2; Matthew Greer as Sir Lancelot/The French Taunter/Knight of Ni/Tim the Enchanter; Lenny Daniel as Dennis's Mother/Sir Bedevere/Concorde; Christopher Sutton as Historian/Not Dead Fred/French Guard/Minstrel/Prince Herbert; and Matt Allen as Nun/Killer Rabbit. The ensemble includes Graham Bowen, Cara Cooper, Nikki Della Penta, Andrew Fitch, Alexa Glover, David Havasi, Carissa Lopez , Jennifer Mathie, Lyn Philistine, Tera-Lee Pollin, Darryl Semira, Vanessa Sonon, Billy Sprague Jr., Steven Wenslawski and Paula Wise.

Set and costume design for Monty Python's Spamalot is by Tony Award®-winner Tim Hatley, lighting design is by Hugh Vanstone and sound design is by Acme Sound Partners. Others on the creative and production teams include David BrIan Brown (Hair & Wig Design), Gregory Meeh (Special Effects Design), Elaine McCarthy (Projection Design), Joseph A. Campayno (Make-Up Design), Larry Hochman (Orchestrations), Glen Kelly (Music Arrangements), Todd Ellison (Musical Supervision and Vocal Arrangements), Michael Keller (Musical Coordinator), Peter Lawrence (Associate Director), Tara Rubin (Casting), and Gene O'Donovan (Production Manager).

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.

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. www.montypythonsspamalot.com

Please note: For Mature Audiences only due to Immature strong language and gestures. (by the creators of Monty Python - ‘nuff said!)

Performances take place September 8-13. Tuesday and Wednesday at 7PM, Thursday at 7:30PM, Friday at 8PM, Saturday at 2PM & 8PM, and Sunday at 1PM & 6PM. Tickets priced $18--$87. Tickets can be purchased through the Civic Theatre Ticket Office by calling (619) 570-1100 or Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. For group discounts call (619) 564-3001.

For more information visit www.broadwaysd.com

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus

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