Merle Dandridge Joins 'Spamalot' as New 'Lady of the Lake' Tonight 9/2

Monty Python's SPAMALOT welcomes Merle Dandridge to the Shubert Theatre (225 West 44th Street) tonight, Tuesday, September 2nd. Dandridge joins the cast in the role of 'The Lady of The Lake'.

Dandridge joins the Broadway company of SPAMALOT after wrapping up a run as 'Joanne' in the long-running hit musical Rent. Prior to that, Dandridge originated the role of 'Kala' in Disney's production of Tarzan. Dandridge joins a cast that is headed by Emmy Award nominee Stephen Collins and Grammy Award nominee Drew Lachey as 'King Arthur' and 'Patsy' respectively. Also featured are Tom Deckman, Rick Holmes, Bradley Dean, Robert Petkoff, and Wally Dunn. SPAMALOT won 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. The musical was honored this year with three 2008 Broadway.com Audience Awards including Favorite Long Running Musical. 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, SPAMALOT received the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical (Mike Nichols) and Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Sara Ramirez). BIOGRAPHYMerle Dandridge (The Lady of the Lake). Broadway: Kala in Tarzan, Aida in Aida, Joanne in Rent, Jesus Christ Superstar. Tours: Aida (1st national), Smokey Joe's Café (U.S.), Ain't Misbehavin'(Europe).  Regional/Chicago credits: Most Wanted (LaJolla), Atlanta (Geffen), Kentucky Cycle (Jeff Award), Balm in Gilead, As You Like It. TV/Film: "I'm Paige Wilson" (ABC Pilot), "NCIS," "Third Watch," "Angel," "Pros and Cons" (ABC Pilot), "The Line" (Pilot), Nothing But the Truth (dir. Rod Lurie).  www.MerleDandridge.comwww.MontyPythonsSpamalot.com

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