‘Spamalot’ works despite stretching its material

Monty Python’s Spamalot” at Wynn Las Vegas seems to be finding favor with national critics, and it’s easy to see why. It’s 90 minutes of imaginative silliness, led by an actor (John O’Hurley) who seems to have insanity in his soul. What surprises me is how well the show sustains its entertainingly infantile tone. It’s short-sketch material stretched out into a full-length narrative. Yet, it somehow works. There’s a lot riding on this production’s success, given the recent demise of “Hairspray” and “Avenue Q.” Although with “The Producers,” “Phantom — The Las Vegas Spectacular” and “Mamma Mia!” in town, Vegas is already a place where West Coast residents easily can arrange a weekend of Broadway. …

The folks at the Beyond the Neon program at the Charleston Heights Arts Center continue to do a surprisingly expert job of bringing highly regarded stage performers to town for a mere $10 admission price. Mark Nadler and KT Sullivan, well-known New York cabaret artists, recently offered an evening that left you amazed at the scope of Irving Berlin’s talent. On Sunday, “A Chorus Line” and “Hairspray” alumnus Kevin Spirtas will tackle a set of show tunes in a program titled “Night and Days.” Spirtas probably is best known as the nasty Dr. Craig Wesley on “Days of Our Lives.” Beyond the Neon is an often unsung Vegas treasure. …

Acorn Media Group has just released two DVDs of local interest. Vegas resident Mike Merrick co-produced “Camelot” on Broadway in 1981. A version taped for HBO is now available. And those eagerly awaiting Desert Spring Arts’ original “Robin Hood: The Musical” May 25 to June 10 at the Summerlin Performing Arts Center, may enjoy the five-volume collection of the British television series “Robin of Sherwood.” The musical’s script has a whole different take on the legend, but it’s fascinating to compare the two. …

Shakespearean scholar Stephen Greenblatt (“Will in the World”) attracted about 250 people last week at a University of Nevada, Las Vegas lecture. English department chair Chris Hudgins reported that the New York Times best-selling author once made a decision that had a major effect on our cultural history. When Greenblatt was a young camp counselor, one of his colleagues was Art Garfunkel. It seems Garfunkel wanted Greenblatt to join him and a friend in setting up a singing trio. The budding writer declined in favor of grad school. And so, the world was deprived of Simon and Garfunkel and Greenblatt.

Anthony Del Valle can be reached at DelValle@aol.com. You can write him c/o Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125.