King Arthur’s Court has come to Las Vegas, and no I’m not talking about the Excalibur. The smash-hit musical, Monty Python’s Spamalot, is now performing at the Wynn.
From its New York origins this 2005 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, whose original cast included Tim Curry, David Hyde Pierce and Hank Azaria as among the questing knights, has moved on to the Las Vegas Strip where it now boasts John O’Hurley as King Arthur. O’Hurley is no stranger to the stage having starred on Broadway in Chicago as Billy Flynn. He is perhaps most recognizable as J. Peterman from Seinfield and the champion from season one of the hit TV show, Dancing with the Stars. This star is also the new face of Family Feud.
The plot of Spamalot, having been “lovingly ‘ripped-off’” from the internationally famous comedy team Monty Python’s most popular motion picture, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and the quest for the Holy Grail. Complete with irresistible silliness in true, quirky Monty Python fashion, their search is packed with laughter and unusual company including “a chorus line of legless knights, men in tights (with legs), killer rabbits and sexy dancing divas.”
Long-time Monty Python fans will cheer to know that many of the classic comedic scenes from the original 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail are featured in its theatrical revival; including taunting French guards, Knights who say NI!, coconut-carrying swallows and rabid bunnies to name a few. But the show also offers genuinely hilarious new material including 18 songs that narrate the knights on their quest. Highlights include “The Song That Goes Like This”, “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”, “You Won’t Succeed on Broadway” and many more. The show has also been specially formatted for its new locale with Vegas-appropriate jokes and innuendo.
John O’Hurley excels as King Arthur with his commanding voice and straight-faced humor. He is joined on his quest for the grail by Sir Galahad the political idealist, Sir Lancelot the ‘homicidally brave’, Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-as-Sir Lancelot, and the quiet yet surprisingly flatulent Sir Bedevere. Four knights who generally seem to prefer song and dance to sword fighting and whose comedic timing never disappoints. The Lady of the Lake is played by Nikki Crawford whose powerful singing voice alone is enough to win audiences over.
The opening of Spamalot marks casino mogul Steve Wynn’s success in snapping up the Best Musical Tony Winner for the second year in a row for his impressive hotel and casino, following Avenue Q’s run. Spamalot also boasts its own custom built theater at Wynn Las Vegas entitled “Spamalot Experience and Grail Theatre” designed by show creator Eric Idle and set and costume designer Tim Hatley.
Since 1969, when Monty Python’s Flying Circus first aired on BBC, the comedy team has become internationally famous with a TV series, two films and now an award-winning Broadway musical under their belt. The Monty Python team is a multi-talented group of British actors and writers (as well as one American) including Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin, whose accolades are not exclusive to their Monty Python success.
Eric Idle is the show’s creator and, along with John Du Prez, also wrote the score for the musical, which won the Grammy Award for Best Original Cast Recording. The show is directed by Oscar and Tony Award-winning legend Mike Nichols and also features choreography by Casey Nicholaw, sets and costumes by Tony Award-winner Tim Hatley, as well as lighting design by Hugh Canstone and sound design by ACME Sound Partners.
So go ahead, see the show that has been called “Colorful, full of surprises and totally entertaining! Spamalot is the funniest show I have ever seen!”. You won’t regret it. Joel Siegel of Good Morning America ushers only one word of warning: “They’re going to have to reupholster the seats at the theatre once a week, that’s how hard you’ll be laughing!” Tickets range from $50 – $100 and are available at 888 320 7110 or 702 770 WYNN or online: www.montypythonsspamalot.com or www.wynnlasvegas.com
