Shubert Alley Goes Coconuts March 22 as Spamalot Sets Guinness World Record

By Ernio Hernandez
March 21, 2006

Monty Python's Spamalot original Tony Award-nominated cast member Michael McGrath will lead the musical's March 22 matinee audience and fans as they set the Guinness World Record for the world's largest coconut orchestra.

Following the matinee performance on March 22 (around 4:30 PM), the audience and anyone wishing to join are invited to gather in Shubert Alley (adjacent to the theatre between 44th and 45th Streets). Event registration begins at 3:45 PM — where participants will receive free commemorative coconuts (while supplies last). Official Guinness World Records representatives will be on hand to witness the crowd in the rendition of "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life."

For more details, visit montypythonsspamalot.com.

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Mike Nichols ("The Graduate," "Angels in America") directed the show inspired by the 1975 feature film comedy "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" which landed at Broadway's Shubert Theatre for a St. Valentine's Day (Feb. 14, 2005) start and a St. Patrick's Day (March 17) opening.

Spamalot tells the tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table on their quest from God (voiced by a familiar actor) for the Holy Grail - with a short stop in the dazzling Spam-filled land of Camelot.

The musical 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 new score — with music and lyrics by Idle and composer John Du Prez ("A Fish Called Wanda") — includes songs ("Brave Sir Robin" and "Knights of the Round Table") from the original film as well as Python signature "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life."

The musical earned 14 nominations for the 2005 Tony Awards, winning prizes for Best Musical, Best Direction (Nichols) and Featured Actress (Sara Ramirez). The original Decca Broadway cast album earned the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. The national tour launch March 7 from Boston's Colonial Theatre and performs as venues across the country through Aug. 2007. A London West End staging (starts Oct. 2 at the Palace Theatre with original Broadway star Tim Curry) and a Las Vegas run (at the Wynn Las Vegas resort's forthcoming Grail Theatre) are in the works.

The design team for Spamalot features Tim Hatley (set, costume), Hugh Vanstone (lighting), Gregory Meeh (special effects) and ACME Sound Partners (sound).

The show website can be found at www.montypythonsspamalot.com.