Tickets go on sale today for King Arthur's new reign on the Strip when 'Spamalot' opens March 31 with a gala, star-studded premiere. Previews will start March 8! Can you believe it was back in 1969 that Monty Python first aired on British-TV, the same year coincidentally when Elvis Presley became a Vegas resident and my friend Buzz Aldrin joined Neil Armstrong for that first walk on the Moon? Now almost 40-years later the inspired lunacy of the madcap British comics is back at the brand new specially constructed Grail Theater at the Wynn with 'Spamalot,' a deliriously hilarious send-up spoof of the Knights of the Round Table and their quest for the Holy Grail.
Python comic Eric Idle's show features lusty maidens, dancing divas, a killer rabbit and the only legless knight appearing on the Las Vegas Strip. My fine-wine drinking friend John O'Hurley, (right) best known as J. Peterman on 'Seinfeld' will star as King Arthur. John, often seen in Vegas was the ultimate champion on Season 1 of 'Dancing with The Stars' and is also the new host of Family Feud. John has often worked on stage throughout his career and recently starred on Broadway in the hit Chicago musical. John is also known for his God-like role in the heavenly Xerox commercials! Tongue in chic Eric (seen below) commented about opening at the Wynn: "I love Las Vegas. It will be wonderful when it's finished." Steve Wynn added: "I'm pleased to announce that the search for The Holy Grail has finally ended at Wynn Las Vegas. This achievement is in no small part due to the relentless energies and psychotic obsession of Eric Idle and Mike Nichols. The world owes these two a great debt of gratitude and prompt payment of their Medicare checks!"
I saw the show exactly a year ago on Broadway, and have nothing but raves for it. I hadn't laughed that much in 25 years. It took two hours before my sides stopped hurting. It is brilliant in every respect; the songs, the stupidity, the music, the jokes, and deserves to be the wildest hit of its kind in Vegas. Monty Python's 'Spamalot; is written by Eric Idle and is a laugh-a-minute loving rip-off from the original Python Holy Grail movie by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. The show is directed by Oscar and Tony Award-winning legend Mike Nichols of 'The Graduate,' 'Silkwood,' 'Carnal Knowledge' and 'Primary Colors' fame.
TV STARS SELL THEIR SHOWS
It's another all-star celebrity invasion as the TV broadcasters convention known as NATPE (National Association of Television Program Executives) gets underway at Mandalay Bay. I'll be there tonight with all the VH1 executives celebrating the ratings success of our new 'Fame Games' series. My Executive Producer pal, Cris Abrego, who also produces 'Flavor of Love' is set to be a panelist this afternoon examining the merits of today's primetime programming vs. reality programming. About 8,000 programmers, producers and stars including good friends, Vanna White, Pat Sajak, Alex Trebek and Mary Hart from my old Entertainment Tonight show will be on hand for the four day event, which kicked off last night with the Brandon Tartikoff awards. Luxe Life will have the full report next week.
PARTY PEOPLE
The Palms has been celebrity central the past few days -- even without Britney Spears in surprise residence! In the resort's N9NE Steakhouse at separate tables wereAcademy Award winning actor Philip Seymour-Hoffman, local hero and world tennis champion Andre Agassi, free agent quarterback Jay Fiedler and "The Big Hurt" Frank Thomas MLB player for the Toronto Blue Jays, 'Rob and Big' of MTV reality TV fame -- professional skateboarder Rob Dyrdek and his 34 year-old best friend and bodyguard Christopher Big Black -- were in a group of 12. Rob and Big kept the party going after dinner celebrating "Big Black's" birthday with a crew that grew to 40 people. When the N9NE staff presented the birthday cake Rob and Big invited all the other diners in the restaurant over for slices and photos with large groups of girls that bombarded them. Upstairs at MOON and the Playboy Club were 'Dreamgirls' superstar Eddie Murphy with best pals Barry Bonds and Johnny Gill. Eddie rolled into the room with an entourage about 12 deep (donning a hoodie and sunglasses) and plowing through bottles of Ketel One vodka and Dom Perignon Rose champagne.
At TAO in the Venetian legendary Hustler porn king Larry Flynt turned up with his Hustler Honeys and sons Dustin and Jimmy. Baseball star Jason Giambi took a VIP table in the club arriving shortly after midnight. Nicky Hilton (above) arrived at 2AM in a knee length sleek black floral print dress with new beaufriend David Katzenberg and Jon Alegem celebrating his birthday. Also there was Dave Navarro dressed in jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt, in a party of 6 friends.
STRIP SCRIBBLES
Actress Michelle Pfeifer and her husband David Kelly flew in for the night just to attend the early 7:00 pm performance of the Beatles 'LOVE,' by Cirque du Soleil with their 7 person group family and kids. ... Following the weekend jam-packed official AVN Awards after-party at the raucous rumjungle in Mandalay Bay comes word that it will open its first out-of-town location early this summer on The Pier at Caesars Atlantic City.
TONIGHT'S TIP
PURE nightclub celebrates its 2nd anniversary in Caesars Palace so don't be surprised if Britney Spears shows up there yet again with famed DJ AM while back for a 2nd smash guitar set at ghostbar in the Palms is Chris Clouse, who will play along in tandem as DJ Solomon spins.
TOMORROW'S TEASE
Where did Heidi Fleiss vanish to? Her ambitious plans for a shocking male/female brothel within an hour of the Strip have apparently stalled and she can't be found! Fergie sings my name out loud on her new record and Venetian owner Sheldon Adelson sets the opening date of his new Palazzo Tower. Don't forget on Thursday we have the exclusive Bette Midler interview as the Divine Miss M joins Christina Aguilera and Robin Williams at the most expensive birthday bash I've been to in more than a decade.
Somewhat Related Pop-ular Stories:
- LUXE LIFE: Spamalot Part I: Eric Idle, John O'Hurley and Steve Wynn Answer 'Why Vegas?'
- LUXE LIFE: Spamalot Part II: Eric 'American' Idle On Why Monty Python is Popular in the U.S.
- LUXE LIFE: Spamalot Part III: Steve Wynn On the State of Vegas
- LUXE LIFE: Spamalot Part IV: John O'Hurley Goes From the Grim Reaper to King Arthur
Technorati Tags: vegas celebrity spamalot las vegas shows
Add Luxe Life to your main page via RSS feed by clicking on an appropriate button below or add the URL manually to your favorite RSS reader.
ADD URL Manually: http://www.vegaspopular.com/category/luxe-life/rss.xml
