O'Hurley Talks Vegas 'Spamalot;' Previews Start Tonight

With previews beginning tonight at Wynn Las Vegas, John O'Hurley, "Spamalot's" King Arthur, says he's happy to be where he is. 

A long-time visitor to Las Vegas who really enjoys the city, O'Hurley has settled in. He decided he wanted to do "Spamalot" while he was on Broadway doing "Chicago." 

"I saw all the other shows while I was in New York," he says.  "I developed a wish list of things I'd like to do that consisted of 'Dirty Rotten Scoundrels' and 'Spamalot.' Well, 'Scoundrels' closed and, honestly, I hadn't laughed as hard in the theater when I saw 'Spamalot' since I first saw 'Noises Off.' That was a sign to me." 

The Las Vegas 'Spamalot' will last 90 minutes and, even with the elimination of the intermission, that means that the show will have to be, in O"Hurley's word, "trimmed. That mean you don't just cut to save time. Trimming is taking a verse out of a song and," he says, "you can do that as long as it makes sense. If you've established your point with three verses, you don't necessarily need a fourth verse." 

O'Hurley is in the show until September 1. "After that," he says, "I'd be happy to come back to visit occasionally, like I did when Huey Lewis had a take some time off from 'Chicago.' 

As for his theater life after "Spamalot," O'Hurley has two shows in mind. "I'd love to do a revival of "La Mancha" and I would also love to revive "Equus" and play Martin Dysart. I love singing and I love speaking and Peter Shaffer's words are just magnificent." 

"Spamalot" will play in the Holy Grail Theater at the Wynn. The house underwent a $10 million renovation for this production after the original tenant, "Avenue Q" closed last year. There are no cupholders in it. 

"Spamalot" is at the Grail Theater at Wynn Las Vegas. It is dark on Thursday, plays at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday; at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.

Tickets range from $49 to $99 (previews through March 29 are lower priced)

To order tickets call 770-WYNN or go online to www.wynnlasvegas.com 

Photo of John O'Hurley - Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

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