Human Nature leaves Venetian, future uncertain
IN seven years at The Venetian, the gents from Human Nature donned the black suits, the blazing-pink blazers, the ’50s-styled letterman jackets, and even the ugly Christmas sweaters.
But Monday was their first, and we can hope last, appearance in face masks.
The familiar Aussie quartet of Andrew and Michael Tierney, Phil Burton and Toby Allen hauled out of Sands Showroom on Monday and Tuesday. Thus, the Human Nature Era at the hotel ends not with a group bow. Instead, it was a lugging of costumes, boxing of merchandise, and rolling out of the jukebox placed at center stage.
As a piece of Vegas posterity, Andrew Tierney recorded the event on the band’s Instagram page.
“It was kind of surreal,” Tierney said in a phone chat Wednesday. “It was the first time we’d been down there in four months. The room was literally as we left it.”
Human Nature moved to
The Venetian in 2013, after spending four years at the then-imperial Palace (now Linq Hotel). The group marked several milestones at Sands Showroom, including their 2,000th Strip performance last September, with their hero Smokey Robinson on hand.
Rather than continue to kick the proverbial can down the road, last month Human Nature and producer Adam Steck of SPI Entertainment stopped resetting return dates at Sands Showroom. All agreed to allow the act’s contract with the hotel to expire, a COVID-19 casualty.
“There was nothing else we could to. We were worried about opening the doors, because even if the city reopens, what would that be like?
Would people show up?” Tierney said. “We thought of going back in the fall, at least hypothetically, but then you realize there are so many other things than entertainment for people to worry about. This was the best decision for everyone.”
The band’s last show there was March 13, which happened to be Burton’s birthday. Long-term options are available, as the singers and Steck want the act to continue in Las Vegas. Excalibur’s Thunderland Showroom, which Steck operates, is one aesthetically appealing venue, should Hans Klok opt out of his residency at the hotel. They also have a past relationship with Caesars Entertainment, from their I.P. days.
“I’d play anywhere right now, any room,” Tierney said, chuckling. “Cabaret Jazz at
The Smith Center, Sand Dollar Lounge, whenever we’re allowed to. I like the idea of a pop-up show and I think people would love it.”
The act is planning a rescheduled tour of its native Australia next summer. The earliest the group would return to the stage in Las Vegas is the first quarter of 2021.
“I would love a future here,” Tierney said. “It’s my family’s home, it’s been our group home for a long time. I just know that we will find somewhere where we can perform.”
Shuttered anew
The show held up as a model for how to reopen productions in Las Vegas is closing once more.
“Wow the Future,” a sister production of “Wow” at the
Rio and “Extravaganza” at Bally’s, has been pulled from Isrotel Royal’s Garden Theater in Eilat, Israel. The move was announced Monday as Israel has faced a new outbreak of COVID-19.
The circus-styled variety show has been swept up in the country’s closing of gyms, bars, banquet halls, public pools and arts and entertainment events. “Wow” reopened June 22, performing to a masked audience of less than half capacity in a 600-seat theater and with COVID-19 protocols mandated.
In a phone chat Wednesday, “Wow” producer Hanoch Rosenn bemoaned the decision.
“Most of the cases we have had are not from theaters, but mainly from buses and parties, wedding ceremonies where people are dancing with each other,” Rosenn said. “This is one of the places where you cansitandenjoyashowand not move. It’s not like a wedding. I don’t know what else to say.”
That country’s government relaxed restrictions in midMay but has seen the number of seriously ill patients spike, leading to the decision to cut down indoor activities.
“Wow” had performed to a maximum ticket capacity of 250 audience members. The show had drawn interest from Caesars Entertainment execs, Rosenn’s production partners in Las Vegas. Fans were seated together in “capsules” of two to 10 guests, who arrived together and booked their tickets as a group.
Rosenn said there were no problemsathisshow,anda countrywide survey showed only two new cases involving entertainers. Conversely, hundreds of positive tests were recorded by those riding on buses. But the region is bowing to safety measures.
“We would love at least a timeline for when we will be back,” Rosenn said. “Will it be September? January or February of 2021? I have many friends who are in Christmas shows, and they have no idea if they will be back. We are all just confused.”
The Review-journal is owned by the family of Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson. Las Vegas Sands operates The Venetian.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His Podkats! podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/ podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal. com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @Johnnykats1 on Instagram.
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