MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT Opens At Ahmanson Theater 7/7

"Monty Python's Spamalot," the popular musical lovingly ripped-off from the internationally famous comedy team's most popular motion picture, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," will open Center Theatre Group's 2009-2010 at the Ahmanson Theatre of the Los Angeles Music Center, July 7 through September 6, 2009, it was announced today by CTG Artistic Director Michael Ritchie.

The Ahmanson production marks the first time the international hit comedy will be presented in Los Angeles.

John O'Hurley will star as King Arthur.

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 Idle and John Du Prez. Casey Nicholaw is the choreographer.

"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.

"A little summer madness is a great way to open the Ahmanson's new season," said Ritchie. "I mean, how can you resist a musical comedy that has catapulting cows, the voice of God and a weaponized herring? I'm glad Los Angeles audiences will finally get to partake in all the fun."

Group tickets can be purchased now by calling (213) 972-7231. The 2009-2010 Ahmanson Theatre season tickets will be available by mid-February. Single tickets will be available in early April. For more information about "Monty Python's Spamalot" at the Ahmanson Theatre, please visit CTG's Web site at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org or call (213) 628-2772.

"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 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.

John O'Hurley, named by People Magazine as one of its "Sexiest Men Alive," starred on Broadway as Billy Flynn in "Chicago," and just wrapped up a two-year run as King Arthur in "Monty Python's Spamalot" in Las Vegas. He is one of television's busiest and most versatile actors and show hosts, and he is a feature film star. The award-winning actor is best known as J. Peterman on "Seinfeld," and he also danced his way into the hearts of America as the champion of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars," along with over 50 guest-starring TV appearances. He has been the host of the popular syndicated show "Family Feud" and also of Dick Clark's "TV's Funniest Bloopers." O'Hurley's films include "Race to Space" opposite James Woods and "Billy the Kid" with Val Kilmer. He is currently producing "The Richard Petty Story" along with Dan Halsted ("Any Given Sunday") about the legendary race car driver, and, in production development, he is also working on the film version of The New York Times bestseller "Ahab's Wife."

"Monty Python's Spamalot" will join the previously announced "Mary Poppins" in the Ahmanson's 2009-2010 season (CTG's 43rd season). An announcement in mid-February will detail the plans for the Ahmanson's entire season.

Now. Run away.