At last, a visual feast of a show and a really fine evening of entertainment that doesn't attempt to out hype Las Vegas' mamouth productions of special, special effects that all too often add up to little more than a dull evening of thin-witted spectacle. "Carnival of Wonders" is not a huge show. That's part of its charm. The cast of no more than 15 fills the stage, does what needs to be done and never overwhelms - they just entertain, entertain, entertain.

The show starts intimately, just a stage hand and one of those artfully garrish carnival posters that transfixes kids young and old. Then the poster comes life and "Carnival of Wonders" finesses its way through just over 90 minutes of magic - some of the best illusions illusionists have to offer, dance - sizzling, sensual choreography, and humor - the classic comedic escapades of Jeff Hobson.

Hobson is one of the funniest men in show business. A classic performer in the mold of a Red Skelton, Hobson grabs onto a line and embellishes it with the skill of a Mozart or Haydn embroidering translucent thematic materials with witty ideas.

Hobson works on the cutting edge of being outrageously politically incorrect without ever becoming abrasive or stepping beyond good taste and sensitivity. His work is in the purist tradition of Jack Benny and George Burns, where humor was genuinely funny and not presumed funny because of its crass nature. A crass nature is never the case with Hobson. His timing is perfection, his presence divine, his humor a fine web of wizardly wit. He's the best comic I've experienced since the heyday of Skelton, Benny, Burns, Carol Burnett and Lucille Ball. And that, ladies and gentlemen and boys and girls, is remarkable company.

Mark Kalin was named magician of the year in 1998 by the Academy of Magical Arts. Normally I would say his wife Jinger Leigh assists, except what Miss Leigh does is far more than assisting. A superb dancer, Leigh bends the laws of physics to move gracefully through all she does. But she's more than grace and beauty. She actively participates in the show's glib, dry sense of fun and becomes a beguilling part of the festivities.

Kalin, himself, is incredible. Smooth, suave, handsome and the show's centerpiece for magic, Kalin lives up to his advance notices. His work is gravity defying. The geographic changes for moving bodies defies the possibilities of physical movement and time. The separations of limb from limb defies the realities of space. Beyond his incredible feats of magic, Kalin's portion of the show includes a school boy's love of magic that is quiet, poignant and Chaplinesque in concept and execution; pathos combines with intimacy for "Carnival of Wonders' " sweetest moment.

The production's director is Joanie Spina. Formerly with David Copperfield, Spina keeps the show moving artfully along without any sense of rush or languish. Choreographer Michael Darrin uses movement and dance as a way of enhancing the show's other-worldly nature. Darrin's costume designs are handsome, when need be vivid and striking, and always just right. Jim Steinmeyer is the show's illusion designer-writer. His contributions could not be better. The production's attractive design is by Wally Coberg. "Carnival of Wonders' " Emmy Award winning lighting designer is Jeff Calderon. His exceptional lighting for "Carnival of Wonders" is - at times - mystic, at times - radiant.

This is an auspicious pool of talent and every bit of it is evident in this splendid show. "Carnival of Wonders" is current, very choice and shouldn't be missed.

The Flamingo Hilton's "Carnival of Wonders" plays nightly at 9 p.m., except Tuesdays, when its dark, and Saturdays, when it can be seen at 8 and 10:30 p.m. For information call 775 785 708