Wynn Las Vegas Cancels "Spamalot" Run
The unusual collaboration between Wynn Resorts and Monty Python came to an end as it was announced the musical "Spamalot" would end its run at the Wynn Las Vegas this July.
The combination of the slapstick, silly English musical comedy and the elitist Wynn always seemed an odd one. Although the play had won several Tony Awards while on Broadway, the broad style of humor did not feel in synchronization with Wynn's dry, holier-than-thou clientele.
Broadway musicals have had a tough time capturing the attention of Las Vegas tourists. Even with shows such as "Spamalot" trimmed to ninety minutes without intermission, allowing players to rush back to their gambling sooner, audiences have never committed fully to the plays.
"Avenue Q" was the musical preceeding the Python play, and it only lasted a few months. Other musicals have failed to attract steady crowds.
"Spamalot"'s successor at the Wynn, or Encore as Wynn expands, will be Las Vegas mainstay Danny Gans. Gans was stolen from the Mirage where he had performed for years; Wynn took advantage of a negotiating window left open by Mirage's attempt to extend Gan's contract.
Still, many have criticized Wynn's move to Gans as unimaginative and stale. Gans may be a competent impressionist, but his material certainly smacks of safe standard Vegas fare. Wynn had a chance to be creative and try to find an artist that could challenge the typical Strip boundaries on entertainment, but chose to take the sure but dull path.
If Wynn and Encore really wish the full fruition of their possible reputation, surely an artist as ground-breaking, innovative, and stylish as the casino-hotels wish themselves perceived could be signed.
