Spamalot: Michael Siberry assumes the role of 'King Arthur' and David Hibbard the role of 'Patsi'

Michael Siberry assumes the role of 'King Arthur' in the cast of the Broadway musical Spamalot this evening (16 Sep 2008). He assumes the role from Stephen Collins who played his final performance on 14 Sep 2008.

Siberry comes to the Broadway company after originating the role of 'King Arthur' in the national tour and performing it for two years.

Siberry was scheduled to play 'Duke of Norfolk' in the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of A Man For All Seasons. The role of the 'Duke of Norfolk' has now been recast and will be played by Michel Gill.

Australian native Siberry is an alumnus of England�s Royal Shakespeare Company and made his Broadway debut in the RSC�s revival of 'Nicholas Nickleby.' (1986 revival) He returned to Broadway as Gratiano in the Dustin Hoffman and Sir Peter Hall production of 'The Merchant of Venice' (1989 revival). His other Broadway credits include playing 'Captain Georg von Trapp' in 'The Sound of Music' (1998 revival) and 'William Shakespeare' in 'The Frogs' (2004).

Also on 16 Sep 2008 David Hibbard returns to the role of 'Patsy,' assuming the role from Drew Lachey who played his final performance on 14 Sep 2008.

Hibbard's Broadway credits include 'Anything Goes' (2002 revival), 'A Class Act' (2001), 'Once Upon a Mattress' (1996 revival) and 'Cats' (1982).

Spamalot�s Tony Award winning director Mike Nichols said, �Michael Siberry has burned up the road as a brilliant King Arthur for a long time. So good was he in major cities all over the country that it became our hope that he could bring his funny, charming and, in the end, powerful Arthur to Broadway. That will now happen and we, the creators of the show, are very happy.�

Spamalot now features Michael Siberry and Merle Dandridge, who play 'King Arthur' and 'The Lady of the Lake 'respectively.

They are joined by Bradley Dean (Sir Dennis), Rick Holmes (Sir Lancelot), David Hibbard (Patsy), *Robert Petkoff (Sir Robin/Guard/Brother Maynard), Tom Deckman (Historian/Prince Herbert) and Wally Dunn (Sir Bedevere).
*Clay Aiken assumes the role of 'Sir Robin' on 19 Sep.

Spamalot opened at Shubert Theatre on the 17 Mar 2005 following previews from the 14 Feb 2005. The show is currently booking through to 1 Feb 2009.

Spamalot tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and their quest for the Holy Grail. The musical features a chorus line of dancing divas and knights, flatulent Frenchmen, killer rabbits and one legless knight.

The musical opened to excellent notices. The New York Post wrote "Bloody fantastic. Gorgeously silly. Superlative and better.� The USA Today said "Somewhere on the mythical Isle of Avalon, King Arthur is rolling over in his grave � and laughing till his armor rattles." and NewsDay printed "Eric Idle and Mike Nichols have indeed fashioned a Holy Grail of a big, crowd-pleasing Broadway musical comedy. The show slays 'em like Excalibur."

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, with an entirely new score with two songs from the 1975 film and the Python classic �Always Look On The Bright Side of Life� from 1979�s The Life of Brian.

Spamalot, is produced on Broadway by Ostar Boyett Productions. The production is directed by Mike Nichols; choreographed by Casey Nicholaw; sets and costumes by Tim Hatley; lighting by Hugh Vanstone ; and musical direction by Todd Ellison.