Chamberlain Will Be King in Spamalot Tour in 2009

By Andrew Gans
November 18, 2008

Stage and screen star Richard Chamberlain will join the national tour of the Tony-winning musical Monty Python's Spamalot in 2009.

Chamberlain, according to a press release, will assume the role of King Arthur when the musical begins performances in Chicago Jan. 20, 2009. Spamalot is scheduled to play the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University through Feb. 1, 2009.

Chamberlain, well known to TV audiences through his work in the mini-series "Shogun" and "The Thorn Birds," has graced Broadway in such shows as My Fair Lady and The Sound of Music.

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.

The musical tells the tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table on their quest from God for the Holy Grail — with a short stop in the dazzling Spam-filled land of Camelot.

Spamalot earned the 2005 Tony Award for Best Musical and took home honors for direction (Mike Nichols) and one of its stars (Sara Ramirez).

Monty Python's Spamalot, the 2005 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, will end its reign at Broadway's Shubert Theatre Jan. 18, 2009.

For more information visit www.montypythonsspamalot.com.