SPAMALOT Sings Final 'Ni', Run Ends Today 1/11

Monty Python's SPAMALOT, the funniest musical in the universe, ends its reign on Broadway Sunday, January 11 following the evening performance, after 1,574 performances (and 35 previews).

For the week ending Sunday, January 4, SPAMALOT achieved its highest gross in over a year with $1,068,657.64 at the box office.

When Monty Python's SPAMALOT closes on Broadway it will have grossed over $175,000,000 and will have been seen by more than 2 million people. The musical recouped its entire investment in under six months, and the production holds the record for weekly gross sales in any Shubert theater ($1,407,586 for the week ending January 1, 2006).

A national touring production continues to do record business across North America after more than 30 months on the road. The musical recently opened in Barcelona, Spain (performed in Spanish) and will open soon in Germany. Productions have also played in Las Vegas and Melbourne, Australia and the London production recently ended its extended run.

Monty Python's SPAMALOT opened on Broadway on March 17, 2005 to rave reviews and went to win the 2005 Tony Award® for Best Musical, the 2005 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical, and the 2005 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Musical.

Cathleen McGuigan in Newsweek called Monty Python's SPAMALOT "hilarious," and went on to say "SPAMALOT'S infectious, irrepressible energy is contagious."

In the New Yorker, John Lahr proclaimed the show "An exhilarating, no-holds-barred smash hit!"

Monty Python's SPAMALOT features a book and lyrics by Eric Idle, music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle, direction by Mike Nichols, choreography by Casey Nicholaw and is 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 an entirely new score with two songs from the 1975 film and the Python classic "Always Look On The Bright Side of Life" from 1979's The Life of Brian.

In addition, to the Tony Award® for Best Musical, Monty Python's SPAMALOT received the Tony Award® for Best Direction of a Musical (Mike Nichols) and Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Sara Ramirez).

Monty Python's SPAMALOT also received:
· Three Drama Desk Awards:
§ Outstanding Musical
§ Outstanding Lyrics (Eric Idle)
§ Outstanding Costume Design (Tim Hatley)
· Four Outer Critics Circle Award
§ Outstanding Musical
§ Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Mike Nichols)
§ Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Sara Ramirez)
§ Outstanding Costume Design (Tim Hatley)
· Theatre World Award for Hank Azaria for outstanding Broadway debut
· Drama League Citation for Sara Ramirez
· The Clarence Derwent Award for Christian Borle for most promising male performer on the New York metropolitan scene.
· The 2006 Grammyâ Award for Best Musical Show Album.

In addition to the myriad legitimate theatrical awards with which Monty Python's SPAMALOT has been honored, it also holds The Guinness World Recordä for "World's Largest Coconut Orchestra" which was set on April 23, 2007 when 5,567 fans gathered in Trafalgar Square and accompanied original Python members Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam to "Always Look On The Bright Side of Life."

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, a killer rabbit and one legless knight.

Monty Python's SPAMALOT is produced by Ostar Boyett Productions, The Shubert Organization, Arielle Tepper, Stephanie McClelland/Lawrence Horowitz, Elan V. McAllister/Allan S. Gordon, Independent Presenters Network, Roy Furman, GRS Associates, Jam Theatricals, TGA Entertainment, and Live Nation.

The set and costume design for Monty Python's SPAMALOT is by Tony® Award-winner Tim Hatley, with lighting design by Hugh Vanstone and sound design by Acme Sound Partners. The musical director/vocal arranger is Todd Ellison. Others on the creative and production teams include Gregory Meeh (Special Effects Design), Todd Ellison (Musical Director), Larry Hochman (Orchestrations), Glen Kelly (Music Arrangements), Michael Keller (Musical Coordinator), Peter Lawrence (Associate Director), Tara Rubin (Casting), and Gene O'Donovan (Production Manager). 101 Productions is the General Manager of the production.

Monty Python's SPAMALOT had its world premiere at Chicago's Shubert Theatre playing five sold out weeks (December 21, 2004 - January 23, 2005). The musical began previews at New York's Shubert Theatre on February 14, 2005 and opened on March 17, 2005.

The Grammy Award-winning Original Broadway cast recording of Monty Python's SPAMALOT is available on Decca Broadway.

Monty Python's SPAMALOT ticket info: Telecharge 212 239 6200 or www.telecharge.com.

Photo by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.