Visited March 2007
There is a part in Monty Python’s Spamalot where King Arthur turns to Guinevere and asks her how long it will be until he gets to Broadway. She replies, “You’'ve been on Broadway two years. This is Vegas!” With that the medieval castle backdrop lights up like a Strip casino. In another musical number earlier in the show the scene contains dice, a Wheel of Fortune and even showgirls. It is this touch of Vegas that will probably ensure a long stay for the Tony Award winning musical of 2005 now occupying the space left vacant by the short-lived Avenue Q at the Wynn Hotel. That and a high energy ensemble of capable performers, sparkling costumes, inventive sets and the non-stop laughter that only the parody of Monty Python can bring audiences. John Cleese is even present as the voice of God. John O’Hurley who played J. Peterman in the Seinfeld series, is featured in the role of King Arthur. I was surprised at how well he could sing. But overall I got the feeling that with the exception of one character the cast was still growing into their roles. (This is to be expected because the show is still in previews.). That one exception is Justin Brill who played Patsy, Arthur’s liege, his Sancho Panza. Mr. Brill’s facial expressions when Arthur ignores him during the loneliness soliloquy were spot-on and his show-stopping number that follows, Always Look On The Bright Side of Life was warm and moving.
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