Copperfield sets March return at MGM Grand
DAVID COPPERFIELD’S latest reappearing act is ready for the stage. The legendary magician’s march back to the MGM Grand is March 21.
In a phone chat Wednesday, Copperfield chuckled and offered his two-word quote about coming back: “So excited.”
Copperfield had performed in October and November, when public gatherings of 250 were allowed. He was dark when the statewide “pause” was instituted in late November. The restrictions are again being relaxed for 50 percent capacity or 250 people, whichever is less, starting March 15.
Copperfield’s eponymous theater seats just under 800. He’s set to perform at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Sundays through Fridays.
Elsewhere in MGM Resorts International’s reopening schematic, “Australian Bee Gees Show” is returning to Thunderland Showroom at Excalibur on March 15. The tribute act joins Thunder
From Down Under in toggling in that venue.
Terry Fator is reviving his ventriloquial production at the former Zumanity Theater at New York-new York on March 18. “Who’s the Dummy Now” runs for a limited engagement at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturdays.
Fator will hold forth in a theater where Cirque du Soleil (among others) has said it wants to return production, after “Zumanity” shut down in November.
As previously announced, Carrot Top and “Fantasy” return Friday night to Luxor Theater. Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club is back at Studios
A & B at the MGM Grand Garden beginning Thursday. The Thunder crew returned to action in January.
There is no word yet on plans for such high-profile MGM Resorts productions as Jabbawockeez, which returned at the MGM Grand Garden for a few weeks beginning Nov. 6 before closing during the “pause”; the “Aces of Comedy” headlining lineup and magician Shin
Lim at Mirage Theater; or the long-running “Tournament of Kings” underground, King Arthur-themed arena show at Excalibur.
Guidelines in all venues require guests to be separated by 6 feet between parties, with a minimum of 25 feet between the audience and performers onstage. Info on all shows can be found at mgmresorts.com.
MGM Resorts President of Entertainment and Sports George Kliavkoff said in a statement, “Bringing entertainment back to the Las Vegas experience is key to our city’s recovery and we will work closely with our partners to do so, with the health and safety of our employees and guests as a priority.”
Clubs reopening
Roughly a year ago, the Kansas City Chiefs hit a pair of Hakkasan Group clubs to celebrate winning Super Bowl LIV. Wet Republic was trumpeting a clubwide renovation, in time for the upcoming pool season.
What a difference a year, and COVID-19, make.
But Hakkasan Group is stirring back to life beginning March 5 as Omnia at Caesars Palace and Wet Republic at the MGM Grand return to business. Liquid Pool Lounge at Aria is back March 12. The clubs are adhering to the public gathering and pandemic restrictions for nightclubs and dayclubs, mandated by Gov.
Steve Sisolak.
They are allowed to move to 35 percent capacity March 1, and to 50 percent March 15.
Last March, Hakkasan
Group laid off 1,600 employees as it shut down its worldwide operations, including its nightclubs and dayclubs on the Strip. Hakkasan Executive Vice President of Entertainment
James Algate says 225 are coming back in what should be a phased-in return to business.
“We will enjoy unlocking the doors, welcoming back our customers and also over 225 loyal team members who have had a difficult past twelve months,” Algate said Tuesday in an email statement. “We will continue to welcome further easing of restrictions and a timely return to our regular operations.”
He said the company will move to return other venues, among them the new Mexican restaurant opening at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.
Wet Republic and Liquid Pool Lounge were allowed to reopen during July for part of pool season. The party spaces operated as an extension of their hotels’ resort pools.
Hakkasan’s returning venues are moving off their usual protocols. Omnia is returning with its outdoor, Strip-facing terrace open as a lounge. Liquid Pool Lounge and Wet Republic are reopening as a section of the resorts’ pools, to support customer demand during the summer.
Admission is restricted to guests 21 and older. Reservations are required for hotel and non-hotel guests. General admission is allowed under pandemic restrictions.
The venues are also using touchless QR codes rather than regular menus.
Omnia (omnianightclub. com) is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10:30 p.m. until late. Wet Republic (wetrepublic.com) is open at 11 a.m. Thursdays through Sundays until closing. Liquid Pool Lounge (liquidpoollv. com) is open at 11 a.m. Fridays through Sundays until closing.