press release

A Lot of Medieval Merry Making Set for the Ogunquit Playhouse with Monty Python's Spamalot!

For Immediate Release:
August 5, 2010

Come laugh a lot at the Ogunquit Playhouse with Spamalot, the musical lovingly ripped off from the internationally renowned comedy team’s most popular film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Television, stage and screen star Charles Shaughnessy will headline the delightfully zany Monty Python's Spamalotas King Arthur, joined by one of Broadway’s true divas, Rachel York as the Lady of the Lake, on stage August 18 through September 11. This highly irreverent parody of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table is the recipient of three Tony Awards, including Best Musical and fourteen Tony Award nominations. The Ogunquit Playhouse production features Tim Hatley’s sumptuous Tony nominated sets and costumes, a chorus line of dancing divas and knights, flatulent Frenchmen, a killer rabbit and more madcap mirth than a headless knight! Don’t miss the show that critics claim raises silliness to a new art form!

Charles Shaughnessy hails from England and is best known to American audiences as Mr. Sheffield on the CBS hit show “The Nanny” opposite Fran Drescher, as well as for his work in the role of Shane Donovan on the daytime series “Days of Our Lives.” He recently portrayed Saint John Powers on AMC’s critically acclaimed series “Mad Men.” Mr. Shaughnessy’s many stage appearances include the triple Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Urinetown, Pasadena Playhouse’s acclaimed production of Orson’s Shadow and perennial favorites including Camelot and My Fair Lady.

Rachel York is best known for her critically acclaimed Broadway performances in City of AngelsLes MisérablesVictor/Victoria with Dame Julie Andrews, Sly Fox with Richard Dreyfuss and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels co-starring Jonathan Pryce. Additionally, Ms. York has starred in numerous national tours including Camelot, Putting It Together, the national and London tours of the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of Kiss Me, Kate and The Odd Couple with Jason Alexander and Martin Short. In addition, she holds many film credits to her name including One Fine Day, Happy Feet, Billy Bathgate, as well as appearances in several popular TV series including “Hannah Montana,” “Frasier,” “Reba,” and “Spin City.”

Also starring in the Ogunquit production are Broadway veterans Richard Costa as Sir Bedevere, who recently performed in the Las Vegas production of Spamalot under the direction of Mike Nichols; Matthew Greer as Sir Lancelot, who returns to the role(s) he played in the first National Tour of Spamalot; and Jeffry Denman as Sir Robin. Denman has been in a number of Broadway and off Broadway productions including the original cast of White Christmas. He was last seen in Ogunquit as Bobby Childs in Crazy for You.

Scott Taylor helms the Ogunquit production as Director/Choreographer. He has supervised and performed in 12 original Broadway shows, including A Little Night Music, Broadway Bound, Spamalot, Contact, Thou Shalt Not, Steel Pier, Victor/Victoria, Showboat, Crazy For You, Cats, Wind In The Willows, A Christmas Carol, Sinatra At Radio City, and A Little Night Music at the NYC and LA Opera. Scott has assisted and worked closely with Susan Stroman, Stephen Sondheim, Mike Nichols, Chita Rivera, Hal Prince, Julie Andrews, Liza Minnelli, Kander and Ebb, Rob Marshall, Blake Edwards, Trevor Nunn, Jerry Zachs, Harry Connick Jr., Casey Nicholaw, Dolly Parton, Lynne Page, and many more. He can also be seen dancing in the films of A Chorus LineCenter Stage, PBS Great Performances of Contact and Crazy For You, “The Tony Awards,” and numerous television specials and commercials.

Chicago wraps up the Playhouse season, September 15 through October 24 with Sally Struthers in the roll of Matron “Mama” Morton. The Ogunquit Playhouse is America’s Foremost Summer Theatre producing the finest Broadway musicals each season, with performances Tuesday through Sunday, from June 9 to October 24, 2010. Main  tage tickets prices range from $49-$67 per show. Gift Certificates and Season Subscriptions are also on sale now. For a complete list of show times, pricing and more information about the season, visit our website www.ogunquitplayhouse.org. Tickets on-line or through the box office at 207- 646-5511.