Frank M. Young, Founder

www.TUTS.com
Bruce Limpkin, Artistic Director
John C. Breckenridge, President and CEO

Presents

SPAMALOT

May 14 - 26, 2013
Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

TUTS AND SAINT ARNOLD’S TEAM UP TO HOLD SPAM COOKOFF IN CELEBRATION OF SPAMALOT

—    Local Chefs Invite Houstonians To First Ever “Saint Arnold’s Spam Off” —

HOUSTON – Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) and Saint Arnold’s have partnered to host Houston’s first-ever “Saint Arnold’s Spam Off”.  SPAM – the meat, not the email – has sold over 7 billion cans since its launch in 1937.  It has served as the inspiration for comedy shows and earned a place in pop culture with both a museum and a musical bearing its name.  Thus, to celebrate the run of Spamalot from May 14 to 26, 2013 at Hobby Center, Theatre Under the Stars and Saint Arnold’s, along with several other local restaurants, will host a feast, in small bites, centering around the delectable and surprisingly delicious SPAM.

Theatre Under The Star (TUTS) is excited to present Monty Python’s Spamalot, an outrageous musical comedy lovingly ripped off from the classic film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.”  With music and lyrics by the Grammy Award winning team of Eric Idle and John Du Prez and book by Eric Idle, Spamalot makes an irreverent parody of the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table during their quest for the Holy Grail.  This three-time Tony Award winning show, including the Tony Award for Best Musical, also features a chorus line of dancing divas and knights, flatulent Frenchmen, flying cows, killer rabbits, one legless knight and several show-stopping musical numbers.  With songs like “Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life” and “The Song That Goes Like This,” the audience will eat up TUTS’ presentation of Spamalot.

TUTS’ presentation of Spamalot is made possible by the generosity of Apache Corporation and Total.

Theatre Under The Stars’ 2012-2013 “A Lot To Love” season is generously sponsored by St. Luke’s Episcopal Health System. For all of TUTS’ shows, air transportation is provided by United Airlines, the official airline of Theatre Under The Stars. Media sponsors include ABC-13 and Houston Chronicle.  Season support is funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Theater District Association and the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is Houston’s acclaimed nonprofit musical theatre company whose mission is to enrich life through the experience of quality musical theatre and to positively impact lives beyond the stage through innovative education & community engagement programs.  Currently TUTS engages more than 200,000 people annually through productions at Sarofim Hall and Zilkha Hall at the Hobby Center and at Miller Outdoor Theatre.  TUTS was the first theatrical organization in Houston to perform free to the public when it was founded in 1968 at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park and is the only Houston arts organization that has performed there free to the public every year since the theatre opened.  Founded by Frank M. Young and currently under the direction of President and CEO John C. Breckenridge and Artistic Director Bruce Lumpkin, TUTS has produced more than 300 musicals including many local, national and world premieres such as Kopit and Yeston’s Phantom, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Jekyll & Hyde, and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas as well as critically acclaimed re-inventions of classics Cabaret and Les Miserables.  Through its membership in the Independent Presenters Network, TUTS has helped bring Bombay Dreams, 9 to 5, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Spamalot, Legally Blonde, Ragtime, Curtains and The Color Purple to Broadway and ultimately back to Houston audiences.

In support of TUTS’ mission, TUTS’ Education & Community Engagement programs provide instruction and stage experience for more than 48,000 Houstonians annually.  The Humphreys School of Musical Theatre (HSMT) offers technique-driven classes for all ability levels and ages, ranging from four to adult.  Through The River Performing and Visual Arts Center (The River), TUTS provides an accessible and inclusive arts education for individuals of all abilities that will enhance their development into confident, balanced individuals.  TUTS Education & Community Engagement provides extended on-site programming as well as off-site programming for children in schools, hospitals and other community-based sites.  TUTS’ community partnerships include collaborations with the Houston Independent School District and Region IV school districts, the YMCA of Greater Houston, M.D. Anderson Children’s Cancer Center, Texas Children’s Hospital and Shriner’s Hospital – Houston, among several other Houston-area organizations.  TUTS also annually presents the Tommy Tune Awards, honoring the best and brightest in Houston's high school musical theatre programs.

Visit www.TUTS.com for more information.

Back by popular demand, Monty Python’s Spamalot is the outrageous musical comedy lovingly ripped off from the film classic “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.”  With music and lyrics by the Grammy Award winning team of Eric Idle and John Du Prez and book by Mr. Idle, Spamalot tells the story of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on their quest for the Holy Grail.  SPAMALOT is presented by Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) at the Hobby Center from May 14 - 26, 2013.  The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts is located at 800 Bagby, Houston Texas 77002.  Photo courtesy of Phoenix Entertainment.
 

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We are excited to announce the cast for the outrageous musical comedy Spamalot, playing May 14 – 26, 2013 at The Hobby Center. Purchase your tickets today!

 

**Theatre Under The Stars Announces Casting For Spamalot*** 

HOUSTON – Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is excited to announce the cast for the outrageous musical comedy Spamalot, running May 14 – 26, 2013 at the Hobby Center for The Performing Arts.  Lovingly ripped off from the classic film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” this three-time Tony Award winning show spoofs the Arthurian legend amidst a chorus line of dancing divas and knights, flatulent Frenchmen, flying cows, killer rabbits and one legless knight.

Taking the stage as King Arthur will be Tom Hewitt. Hewitt has been nominated for both a Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for his work in Broadway’s The Rocky Horror Show.  His other work on Broadway includes Jesus Christ Superstar, Chicago, Dracula: The Musical and The Lion King.  He has toured nationally in Peter Pan, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Urinetown.

True to its inspiration, Spamalot will feature several of the main characters in multiple roles throughout the show.  The first cast member to play several roles is Jonathan Hammond, who will portray Sir Lancelot, The French Taunter, a Knight of Ni and Time the Enchanter.  Hammond previously performed on Broadway in Ragtime and the national tour of Light In The Piazza.  Brian Sears will appear as the Mayor, Patsy and as Guard 2.  Sears counts The Book of Mormon, Lend Me A Tenor, Finian’s Rainbow and Grease among his Broadway credits, and he played in the national tour of All Shook Up.

Two actors have appeared on Broadway in Spamalot – Brian Shepard and Kevin Covert.  Shepard will appear as Prince Herbert as well as the Historian, Not Dead Fred, the French Guard and a Minstrel.  Shepard’s other work on Broadway includes Follies, Guys and Dolls, Young Frankenstein, Peter Pan and Annie Get Your Gun.  He also toured nationally with Seussical.  Covert will play Dennis’ Mother, Sir Bedevere and Concorde.  Covert was also seen in Memphis and How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.  TUTS audiences will remember him from Kiss Me, Kate.  He also has played in the national tours of South Pacific and Cats.

Jeremy Webb will depict the roles of Sir Robin, Guard 1 and Brother Maynar. Webb’s Broadway experience includes The Visit, and he won the prestigious Drama Desk Award for his role in off-Broadway’s Tabletop.  He also has appeared across the country in the regional theatre circuit including The Old Globe, The Kennedy Center, Shakespeare Theatre Company and the Huntington.

Rounding out the principal characters are Adam Monley and Janine DiVita.  Monley will play Sir Dennis Galahad, The Black Knight and Prince Herbert’s Father.  He has appeared on Broadway in Mamma Mia! and he has toured nationally with Big River and The Phantom of the Opera.  DiVita plays The Lady of the Lake.  She counts Grease, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and  Anything Goes among her Broadway credits.  She also appeared in the national tour of Young Frankenstein.

Completing the cast are Lindsay Bracco, Sam Burkett, Caitlin Cannon, Danny Dyer, Kayla Hall, Afra Hines, Laura Henning, Andrew Hodge, Logan Kesler, Sam Kiernan, Julia Krohn, Alissa LaVergne, Robin Masella, Patrick O’Neill, Chuck Ragsdale, Buddy Reeder, Michaeljon Slinger and Borris York.

Marc Robin will captain the creative team as the director and choreographer.  His previous work at TUTS includes Swing and Cats.  He is the recipient of 16 Joseph Jefferson Awards, three Barrymore Nominations, a Carbonell nomination, 13 After Dark Awards, a Broadway World Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Light Opera Works.

Jeff Rizzo will serve as the musical director and conductor.  Rizzo last worked at TUTS in Yankee Doodle Dandy, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, and The Sound of Music. Rizzo has toured nationally with Annie, The Wizard of Oz and 42nd Street.  Also joining the creative team are sound designer Kit Bond and lighting designer Richard Winkler.

Spamalot features music and lyrics by the Grammy Award winning team of Eric Idle and John Du Prez and book by Eric Idle.

Tickets (starting at only $24) are available on-line at TUTS.com, by phone at (713) 558-TUTS (8887), outside the Houston area at (888) 558-3882, or in person at the Theatre Under The Stars Box Office, located at 800 Bagby at Walker, Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Saturday - Sunday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.  An audio described performance is available Sunday, May 26 at 2 p.m.; open captioning is available Sunday, May 26 at 7:30 p.m. The Hobby Center is wheelchair accessible.  Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more.  Group tickets may be purchased by calling (713) 558-8888 or via email at groupsales@tuts.com.

TUTS’ presentation of Spamalot is made possible by the generosity of Apache Corporation and Total.

Theatre Under The Stars’ 2012-2013 “A Lot To Love” season is generously sponsored by St. Luke’s Episcopal Health System. For all of TUTS’ shows, air transportation is provided by United Airlines, the official airline of Theatre Under The Stars. Media sponsors include ABC-13 and Houston Chronicle.  Season support is funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through the Theater District Association and the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is Houston’s acclaimed nonprofit musical theatre company whose mission is to enrich life through the experience of quality musical theatre and to positively impact lives beyond the stage through innovative education & community engagement programs.  Currently TUTS engages more than 200,000 people annually through productions at Sarofim Hall and Zilkha Hall at the Hobby Center and at Miller Outdoor Theatre.  TUTS was the first theatrical organization in Houston to perform free to the public when it was founded in 1968 at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park and is the only Houston arts organization that has performed there free to the public every year since the theatre opened.  Founded by Frank M. Young and currently under the direction of President and CEO John C. Breckenridge and Artistic Director Bruce Lumpkin, TUTS has produced more than 300 musicals including many local, national and world premieres such as Kopit and Yeston’s Phantom, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Jekyll & Hyde, and Irving Berlin’s White Christmas as well as critically acclaimed re-inventions of classics Cabaret and Les Miserables.  Through its membership in the Independent Presenters Network, TUTS has helped bring Bombay Dreams, 9 to 5, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Spamalot, Legally Blonde, Ragtime, Curtains and The Color Purple to Broadway and ultimately back to Houston audiences.

In support of TUTS’ mission, TUTS’ Education & Community Engagement programs provide instruction and stage experience for more than 48,000 Houstonians annually.  The Humphreys School of Musical Theatre (HSMT) offers technique-driven classes for all ability levels and ages, ranging from four to adult.  Through The River Performing and Visual Arts Center (The River), TUTS provides an accessible and inclusive arts education for individuals of all abilities that will enhance their development into confident, balanced individuals.  TUTS Education & Community Engagement provides extended on-site programming as well as off-site programming for children in schools, hospitals and other community-based sites.  TUTS’ community partnerships include collaborations with the Houston Independent School District and Region IV school districts, the YMCA of Greater Houston, M.D. Anderson Children’s Cancer Center, Texas Children’s Hospital and Shriner’s Hospital – Houston, among several other Houston-area organizations.  TUTS also annually presents the Tommy Tune Awards, honoring the best and brightest in Houston's high school musical theatre programs.

SPAMALOT is a three-time Tony Award winning show, including the 2005 Tony for Best Musical, also features a chorus line of dancing divas and knights, flatulent Frenchmen, flying cows, killer rabbits, one legless knight and several show-stopping musical numbers.  With songs like “Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life” and “The Song That Goes Like This,” the audience will eat up TUTS’ presentation of Spamalot from May 14 – 26, 2013.  The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts is located at 800 Bagby, Houston Texas 77002.