MGM Resorts scraps shows through June
MGM Resorts International has moved all of its live entertainment off the schedule for June. The company formally announced the move Tuesday. In a statement:
“With so many unknowns at this moment around the schedule for property openings, stay at home orders across the country as well as access to travel, we have taken all entertainment off of the calendar through June. We will continue to share information about our plans for reopening as they become available. Until then, please stay safe.”
The next posted on-sale date for any show in the company has been pushed to July 1. Most MGM Resorts shows are classified as postponed. The company’s ticket refund policy is as follows:
If a show is listed as canceled, guests receive a refund in full automatically within 30 days.
If a show is listed as postponed, guests should hold on to their tickets. When the new date has been confirmed, notification will be issued. At that time, an opportunity to request a refund will be made available.
If the show is rescheduled, guests should hold on to their tickets for the new date. If unable to attend the new date, guests will have a 30-day window to request a refund.
The MGM Resorts productions affected include all five Cirque du Soleil productions, David Copperfield, Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club and Jabbawockeez at the MGM Grand; “Fantasy,” Carrot Top and Blue Man Group at Luxor; SPI Entertainment’s Hans Klok show, Thunder From Down Under and Australian Bee Gees at Excalibur’s Thunderland Showroom; Boyz II Men, Shin Lim with Colin Cloud, Terry Fator and Matt Goss at The Mirage.
The move appears to end Fator’s run, as he was due to close his 12-year residency at the hotel by August. Park MGM, the MGM Grand Garden, T-mobile Arena and Mandalay Bay Events Center are also dark at least through the end of June.
Roy Horn tests positive
Roy Horn of the legendary Las Vegas act Siegfried & Roy has tested positive for the coronavirus, a representative for the duo said Tuesday.
“We can confirm that
Roy Horn has tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 and is currently responding well to treatment,” PR rep Dave Kirvin of Kirvin Doak Communications said in a statement. “Most importantly, Siegfried and Roy send positive wishes to everyone impacted by the pandemic. We will have no further comment on Roy’s recovery at this time and ask everyone to respect his right to privacy.”
Horn is 75 years old. The duo were most recently back in entertainment news April 17 when ABC’S “20/20” re-aired a special about their lives and career.
The Siegfried & Roy show was halted after Horn was seriously injured while being dragged off stage by big cat Mantecore in October 2003.
Stars unite for benefit
The COVID-19 shutdown has achieved the seemingly impossible: brought together Shania Twain and Puddles Pity Party.
Not in duet, but for the “Stay Home for Nevada” broadcast, set for 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday on iheartmedia Las Vegas’ quartet of radio stations and on KSNV-TV, Channel 3. FM radio listeners can find the action on Sunny 106.5, Real 103.9, 93.1 The Mountain and 95.5 The Bull.
The event is to benefit UMC Foundation/university Medical Center and the Salvation
Army Southern Nevada.
Twain is the country superstar and resident at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort. Puddles Pity Party is the very tall, operatic but otherwise silent clown performer who has headlined at Cleopatra’s Barge at Caesars Palace. The list of superstars either performing or appearing in video messages includes the Red Rocker Sammy Hagar, Nick Carter of Backstreet Boys, David Copperfield, Lee Brice, Criss Angel, Jimmie Allen, Taylor Dayne, Mat Franco, Human Nature, Murray Sawchuck, and members of the Vegas Golden Knights and Las Vegas Raiders.
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak is set to open the benefit.
According to a news release announcing the broadcast, donations to the UMC Foundation/university Medical Center will be used for frontline workers. Donations to the Salvation Army Southern Nevada will provide community services as the organization has expanded shelter space and hours for serving 500-600 meals per day and has distributed more than 6,000 pandemic kits for the Las Vegas homeless.
Over the years Twain has headlined two theaters — the Colosseum at Caesars Palace and Zappos Theater — and has become a fan of Las
Vegas. She is to be introduced by Copperfield, a longtime friend. As she posted on Twitter, “Vegas has always taken care of me and now it’s time for us to take care of her!”
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section.
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As of 9 p.m. Tuesday:
1. Las Vegas firm creates safety shields for use at casino slots, tables
When casino properties reopen in Nevada following the state-ordered shutdown, safety will be a main focus for gaming operators.
2. The Venetian to have EMTS, thermal cameras upon reopening
The Venetian will have a team of emergency medical technicians available 24 hours a day to respond to suspected cases of the coronavirus when the property reopens.
3. Before coronavirus, lines were drawn between Sisolak, Goodman
During a March 15 conference call with local elected leaders, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman was expressing concern to Michelle White, the chief of staff for Gov. Steve Sisolak, that closing schools would be detrimental to children’s supervision.
4. New COVID-19 cases in Nevada, Clark County and infection rates dip
New cases reported by the state and the Southern Nevada Health District were both well below the averages of the past week. 5. Nevada unemployment office’s silence frustrates cash-strapped claimants
Carmen Labrake is short on cash, frustrated and confused.
As of 9 p.m. Tuesday:
1. Sunrise Hospital releases man who recovered from coronavirus
Patient David Reifer was pushed down a hallway and out of the Las Vegas hospital in a wheelchair.
2. The Venetian to have EMTS, thermal cameras upon reopening
Hotel-casino operator
Las Vegas Sands Corp. announced updated protocols for when its Las Vegas properties reopen.
3. Phone exchange between Las Vegas mayor, Nevada governor
An exchange between
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and Nevada
Gov. Steve Sisolak on a conference call on March 15, regarding school closings because of the coronavirus outbreak.