O'Hurley and Dandridge Lead 'SPAMALOT' for CTG/Ahmanson Bow 7/6 - 9/6

The cast has been announced for the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre engagement of "Monty Python's Spamalot," which will open Center Theatre Group's 2009-2010 season at the Ahmanson Theatre of the Los Angeles Music Center, July 7 through September 6, 2009.

Joining the previously announced John O'Hurley (King Arthur) are Merle Dandridge (The Lady of the Lake), James Beaman (Sir Robin), Ben Davis (Sir Dennis Galahad), Jeff Dumas (Patsy), Rick Holmes (Sir Lancelot until August 2), Matthew Greer (Sir Lancelot after August 2), Christopher Gurr (Sir Bedevere), Christopher Sutton (Not Dead Fred, Prince Herbert), Matt Allen, Graham Bowen, Nigel Columbus, Timothy Connell, Cara Cooper, Lenny Daniel, Alexa Glover, David Havasi, Erik Hayden, Sarah Lin Johnson, Carissa Lopez, Jennifer Mathie, Lyn Philistine, Tera-Lee Pollin, Darryl Semira, Vanessa Sonon and Paula Wise.

Directed by Mike Nichols, "Monty Python's Spamalot" features book and lyrics by Eric Idle, 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. The music for "Spamalot" is music by the Grammy Award-winning team of John Du Prez and Idle. Casey Nicholaw is the choreographer.

"Monty Python's Spamalot" is produced by Boyett Ostar Productions.

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 and wig design), Gregory Meeh (special effects design), Elaine J. 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 (music coordinator), BT McNicholl (associate director), Tara Rubin (casting) and Gene O'Donovan (production manager).

"Monty Python's Spamalot" is the winner of three 2005 Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Director, as well as the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Musical. The original cast recording of "Monty Python's Spamalot" won the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.

In addition to the many legitimate theatrical awards with which "Monty Python's Spamalot" has been honored, it also holds The Guinness World Report^TM 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."

"Monty Python's Spamalot" recounts the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and their quest for the Holy Grail, featuring a chorus line of dancing divas and knights, flatulent Frenchmen, killer rabbits, and an armless and legless knight.

Monty Python is a group of British actors and writers (there is one American) who performed the famous comedy show "Monty Python's Flying Circus" on the BBC from 1969 to 1974, with subsequent international fame and success.

Tickets for "Monty Python's Spamalot" start at $30 and are available by calling (213) 972-4400 or online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Center Theatre Group box office at the Music Center. For the deaf community, call TDD (213) 680-4017 for tickets and information.