The gossip maven purports Curry will play the role of King Arthur in the stage musical based on the British sketch comedy team's film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." Production spokespersons could not confirm any casting.

Mike Nichols ("The Graduate," "Angels in America") directs the work set to have its world premiere at Chicago's Shubert Theatre, Dec. 21, 2004 to Jan. 16, 2005 before heading to Broadway.

The self-proclaimed "officially ripped-off" stagework features a book by Eric Idle, based on the screenplay he co-wrote with Monty Python creators Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. The show will include three songs ("Brave Sir Robin," "He's Going to Tell," and "Knights of the Round Table") from the original 1975 film and a completely new score with music and lyrics by Idle and composer John Du Prez ("A Fish Called Wanda").

Curry is known to film audiences for his reprise turn as Frank N' Furter — a role he originated in London, Los Angeles and then on Broadway in 1975. He has also appeared on stage in Travesties, Amadeus, My Favorite Year and the Madison Square Garden A Christmas Carol. His film credits include "Annie," "Legend," "Clue," "Charlie's Angels" and the upcoming "Kinsey."

"I always had in the back of my mind that 'The Grail' would make a good musical and starting to work on it," Eric Idle previously told Playbill On-Line. "We just took it up and recorded some songs and we sent it to the [other] Pythons and they loved it and said 'Yes, absolutely, go ahead.'" If all goes well, according to creator Idle, the show moves to Broadway in March 2005. Spamalot tells the tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table on their quest for the Holy Grail. The show will boast "a chorus line of legless knights, men in tights (with legs), killer rabbits and dancing divas who create unforgettable musical production numbers." Creator Eric Idle, in the show's announcement, promises it will be "almost as good as anything else opening in Chicago that week."

Spamalot is produced by Ostar Boyett Productions. Scenic designer Tim Hatley (Private Lives) is also onboard the project.

Casting is in the works for actors who will portray more than 30 characters in Spamalot. Idle explained, "We're looking for six major funny people and two major funny women. They play the bulk of everything. One of the essential things about Python theatre is that everybody plays everything."

The original comedy troupe rose to fame with their BBC television show "Monty Python's Flying Circus," then gained international acclaim by turning their sketches and songs into films including "Monty Python's And Now for Something Completely Different," "Monty Python's Life of Brian" and "Monty Python's The Meaning of Life."

The world premiere of Monty Python's Spamalot will play a pre-Broadway run at the Shubert Theatre, located at 22 W. Monroe Street in Chicago, IL. Tickets are currently on sale for subscriptions and groups of 20 or more by calling (312) 977 1710.For more information on the Broadway In Chicago season, visit www.broadwayinchicago.com.