Pit5 Music News Cache

Sarah Hall Tue Oct 16, 12:37 PM ET

Los Angeles (E! Online) - Clay Aiken is the latest Idol alum giving his regards to Broadway.

The singer—and presumed shrubbery aficionado—will join the cast of Monty Python's Spamalot on Jan 18, playing the role of Sir Robin in the Tony Award-winning musical, directed by Mike Nichols.

"I really couldn't have asked for a more wonderful group of people to work with," Aiken said in a statement.

"Let's not lie, the chance to work with legendary creative minds like Mike Nichols and Eric Idle is, on its own, a reason to jump at this opportunity."

Aiken is slated to stay with the production through May 4.

"Clay Aiken is amazing beyond that glorious voice," Nichols said. "Turns out, he is an excellent comic actor and a master of character."

The musical's book is by Idle, a member of the original Python gang, and its score is by Idle and John DuPrez.

Sir Robin (full title: Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-as-Sir-Lancelot) is the most chicken-hearted of the Round Table crew, whose real aspirations is not finding the Holy Grail but singing show tunes.

The Great White Way has become an ever more popular destination for American Idol contestants of seasons past.

Here's a rundown of some of the talent show competitors to take their turn on the Broadway stage:

• Season-six finalist LaKisha Jones in The Color Purple (starting in December) • Season-four finalist Constantine Maroulis in The Wedding Singer • Season-three winner Fantasia in The Color Purple • Season-three finalist Diana DeGarmo in Hairspray • Season-four finalist Anthony Federov in The Fantasticks • Season-two semifinalist Frenchie Davis in Rent • Season-two semifinalist Josh Strickland in Tarzan • Season-one finalist Tamyra Gray in Rent and Bombay Dreams

Of course, not all Idol has-beens meet with success on the stage. Season-one runner-up Justin Guaraini was destined for Broadway in the Beach Boys-themed musical Good Vibrations but was subsequently bumped from the production before it opened in 2004.