'Spamalot,' 'Men' top Touring Awards

Road plays honored at Broadway event

By GORDON COX

'Spamalot'

Road versions of "Monty Python's Spamalot" and the Roundabout's revival of "Twelve Angry Men" nabbed honors for musical and play, respectively, at the Touring Broadway Awards Monday evening.

"Spamalot" took the tuner title for the second year in a row.

Touring incarnation of "Wicked" conjured three trophies, including kudos for score (Stephen Schwartz), director (Joe Mantello) and audience choice. "The Lion King" pounced on the trophy for longrunner (for musical productions out on the road more than three years).

Begun in 2001 by the Broadway League, tour awards are handed out annually out by a panel of legit presenters repping nearly 250 markets. Actor-writer Chazz Palminteri ("A Bronx Tale"), choreographer Sergio Trujillo ("Jersey Boys") and thesps from Rialto play "August: Osage County" presented the honors in Gotham in a ceremony that kicked off the League's spring road conference.

Design laurel went to "My Fair Lady," the tour based on Cameron Mackintosh and the National Theater's U.K. production, with sets and costumes by Anthony Ward and lights by David Hersey. Casey Nicholaw won the choreography award for "The Drowsy Chaperone."

Thesp Brad Little, who has played the title role in "The Phantom of the Opera" more than 2000 times around the world, won the touring Broadway achievement award.

Best New Touring Musical
"Monty Python’s Spamalot" - producers: Boyett Ostar Productions, The Shubert Organization, Arielle Tepper, Stephanie McClelland/Lawrence Horowitz, Elan V. McAllister/Allan S. Gordon, Independent Presenters Network, Roy Furman, GRS Associates, Jam Theatricals, Concert Productions International, Live Nation

Best Touring Play
"Twelve Angry Men" - author: Reginald Rose; producer: Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director; Harold Wolpert, Managing Director; Julia C. Levy, Executive Director)

Best Design of a Touring Production
"My Fair Lady" - scenic and costume design: Anthony Ward; lighting Design: David Hersey

Best Musical Score of a Touring Production
"Wicked" - music and lyrics: Stephen Schwartz

Best Direction of a Touring Production
Joe Mantello - "Wicked"

Best Choreography of a Touring Production
Casey Nicholaw - "The Drowsy Chaperone"

Best Long-Running Touring Musical
"The Lion King" - producer: Disney Theatrical Productions

Touring Broadway Achievement Award
Brad Little

Touring Broadway Audience Choice Award
"Wicked"