'Spamalot' Looks on the Bright Side of Life Tonight

Monty Python's Spamalot will resume performances on Broadway tonight Thursday November 29. The Tony Award winning new musical lovingly ripped-off from the internationally famous comedy team's most popular motion picture, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, plays at Broadway's Shubert Theatre (225 West 44th St.).   

Monty Python's 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.

Jonathan Hadary and Marin Mazzie play King Arthur and The Lady of the Lake respectively. They are joined by David Hibbard, Martin Moran, Lewis Cleale, Tom Deckman, Rick Holmes, and Jeffrey Kuhn.

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).

"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," explain press notes.

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).

In addition to New York, a national touring production continues to do record business across North America, the West End production just celebrated its first anniversary at London's Palace Theatre, a Las Vegas production opened at Wynn Las Vegas this spring, and a Melbourne, Australia production will open at Her Majesty's Theatre on December 1 2007.

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

Monty Python's Spamalot ticket info: Tickets are $111.25, $86.25, $76.25, $36.25 Telecharge 212 239 6200 or www.telecharge.com.

Performances schedule: is Tuesday-Saturday at 8 PM, Saturday matinee at 2 PM, and Sunday at 2 PM and 7 PM. www.MontyPythonsSpamalot.com