As most of you know, Clay Aiken made his first starring role on Broadway, playing Sir Robin in the quirky musical, Spamalot. Clay’s first run in the show was from January 18 to May 4, 2008. After taking the summer off, Clay returned to the show and played the show from September 19, 2008 to January 4, 2009.
Spamalot is the hilarious musical adaptation of the classic 1975 film ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’. Eric Idle who was an original Monty Python cast member created the Broadway musical comedy, Spamalot. Spamalot premiered on Broadway in 2005. The show won a Tony Award for best musical in 2005. Spamalot played more than 1400 shows during its run on Broadway before it finally closed its doors to go on tour in January 2009.
The following is a list of some of the interesting facts about the show.
- “Spamalot” uses 40 wireless microphones, consumes more than 2,500 AAA batteries per month, runs more than 1 mile of cable and uses custom-built lasers to aim the speakers in each house.
- Among the props is a cow that weighs 45 pounds and it takes two stagehands to catapult it over the castle.
- Spamalot uses approximately 40 coconuts per month, supplied by the Coconut King in Florida.
- The “Feet of God” weighs 1,700 pounds.
- It takes more than 80 people on stage and off to run each performance.
- The Electrics Department uses six tanks of liquid carbon dioxide per week to create the low-ground fog effect and uses eight fire extinguishers per week for the Feet of God “blast off” effect.
- Six pounds of confetti are used at each performance.
- The orchestra uses a Spama-horn, an instrument specially developed for and used only in “Spamalot.”
- There are more than 100 wigs (including facial hair) in the show, all hand-tied and made of human hair, yak hair and synthetics supplied from New York, California and London.
- The mud make-up is a formula specially designed for “Spamalot.”
- The poorest peasants’ costumes in the show are actually made of raw silk.
- Three feet of “blood” has to be ironed prior to each performance.
- There are more than 100 undergarments in the show, including 30 pairs of men’s fishnets and 56 codpieces.
- The Lady of the Lake’s costumes are all comprised of hand-strung glass beads.
- The costumes are not only made of a wide variety of fabrics, but many are made of molded ABS plastics, and even nuts and bolts. You are as likely to see a costumer with power tools as you are a sewing machine.
After seeing Clay in his starring role in The Drowsy Chaperone, it reminded me of how wonderful he was in Spamalot.
I hope we see Clay on Broadway again…”soon“.
Is this Post a Clue into Clay's Next Project?? I Hope So, I would Love to see Clay again on BROADWAY!!! Love New York !!! 🙂 🙂
Who could forget Clay's performance in Spamalot? I once saw statistics somewhere which showed that Spamalot brought in more money than any other play during one particular week. If Spamalot were to come back to Broadway starring Clay Aiken again, I am confident it would once again, break records! Watching these clips brings back wonderful memories. Thanks musicfan for bringing these videos here for us to enjoy!
What a great post. You never really think about all the behind the scenes stuff and how much work goes into shows.
Those videos and pictures are wonderful. I hope to see Clay on Broadway soon too or maybe even a national touring company of a show so more people can see him.
Awww,that's an Excellent Idea!!!! Clay should have his own touring company, I wonder if Clay realizes how much we miss seeing him, ANYWHERE!!!
On one of his Chat's on OFC, Clay mentioned that most of the questions he was receiving was when he was going to tour again. Clay's comment was I toured last year, if I saw Clay more often I wouldn't feel like I was Starving To Death!! 🙂
I'm glad you mentioned the facts about the show because more goes into a production than I realized. The one thing that sticks in my mind was the Cow Tossing, to me the Cow flew as though it was light as air, and in reality the Cow weighed 45 pounds, WOW!!!!
I Have a Great Appreciation of The Show, and after ready more facts I have a Geater Understanding of what a Production consists of!! Thank You, musicinmyheartisclay
That was great, Clay is surely a great actor and should be on Broadway again soon I hope, it was fun watching these videos again, wish I could've been there. Thanks musicfan xox.
While I wasn't able to see Spamalot on stage in NYC, I sure did get to see video's of his performance thanks to all those clack gatherers. Thank God for those wonderful people! Same with The Drowsy Chaperone cos I couldn't make it to Raleigh to be there in person. I am amazed at his performances! I want more broadway for him, but I also want more concert Clay too! Flying to NYC is never going to be easy for me! Gosh I love that guy!
Thanks so much for those video's of Spamalot. I enjoyed seeing him in this again. I was another one who couldn't make it to see him in person. But, I enjoyed all the video's the fans made for us not so fortunate fans. Always appreciate that. I would love to see Clay in a broadway play again…but, I honestly would love for him to sing for us again. If he is in my area, I will be there.
Clay was brilliant in both performances and I was lucky enough to see both of them. I would like to see him on Broadway again but don't want to have to give up concert Clay. I guess we'll just have to wait to see what he has up his sleeve next. My addiction needs the right Rx soon. Yes, I am totally addicted to Clay. 🙂
same with spamalot i wasnt eather able to see that and the same with spamalot thank god for clack gathers who gather the clack so that i can see clays performances he was amazing in both performances i wold love for clay ta sing again if hes is in my area i hope to see him and yess im addicted to clay
Those Spamalot facts were very interesting. Now Clay has mastered 2 totally different roles. I can't wait too see what role he tackles next.
Spamalot always makes me happy.