‘Absinthe’ to continue despite tighter rules
LIVE entertainment has hit another speed bump in the Entertainment Capital of the World. But not all shows are committed to closing through the latest directives.
Gov. Steve Sisolak’s threeweek “statewide pause” beginning Tuesday is the latest COVID-19 stall for the city’s already suffering entertainment community. The directive cuts total capacity of public gatherings from 250 to 50 people, or 25 percent of a venue’s capacity, whatever is less.
The restrictions mean that a host of Strip productions that had reopened since October will be dark for that three-week period, which would end Dec. 15. But one of those shows, “Absinthe” at Caesars Palace, is planning to keep running.
“Absinthe will continue to play,” show producer Ross Mollison said Sunday night. “The great news is we’re sold out until the end of the year.”
The nine-year hit show at Caesars Palace has consistently sold to its 153-seat, pandemic-reopening capacity. Under normal circumstances, “Absinthe” sold to a 660-seat capacity, 14 shows per week. Now it’s 500 per week for 10 shows.
Sisolak said no large-gathering plans, such as live performances, will be approved during the three-week pause. As he said, “If larger events have been approved to take place in the next three-week period, they must be canceled.”
Live performances set to close Tuesday include MGM Resorts International’s David Copperfield, Jabbawockeez and Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club at the MGM Grand; Carrot Top and “Fantasy” at Luxor Theater; and Australian Bee Gees and Thunder From Down Under at Thunderland Showroom at Excalibur.
Terry Fator, who headlined for 10 years at The Mirage, will be forced to reschedule his reopening Thanksgiving Day at New York-new York, in the old Zumanity Theater. Cirque du Soleil announced last week that “Zumanity” would close permanently.
MGM Resorts International spokeswoman Jenn Michaels said Sunday that the company was working to adjust operations to comply with the governor’s directives.
“This will clearly have a major impact on entertainment, and we are working with our partners to determine the path forward,” Michaels said. “We will share that information as quickly as possible to minimize guest inconvenience.”
SPI Entertainment CEO Adam Steck, who produces Australian Bee Gees and Thunder From Down Under, said, “It’s disappointing. We did everything we could do to make
it safe for the customers.” Steck said that he could conceivably keep his shows open “if it makes sense for the casino.”
“Fantasy” producer Anita Mann was firm in addressing her show’s short-term future.
“We’re going to close tomorrow night, hopefully for just three weeks,” Mann said. “We’re hoping we can go back to where we are now, with the 250 capacity. The audiences have been enjoying the show, we’re selling out, and the cast has been thrilled to be back to work. Hoping we can get it turned around.”
Garrett, who had headlined his show in the temporary Studio A & B ballrooms at the entrance of the MGM Grand, said he’s going dark. “Unfortunately, 50 people can’t work. You can only bend comedy so much until it’s not a great experience live,” he said. “Plus, I want everyone safe. The numbers are horrible.”
Also among major Strip resorts, Caesars Entertainment had returned “Absinthe,” Piff the Magic Dragon at the Flamingo Showroom; Tape Face at Harrah’s Showroom; “X Country” at Harrah’s Cabaret; and “Extravaganza” at Bally’s.
Piff and “X Country” are both Stabile Production resident shows. Matt and Angela Stabile said Sunday night that they had not ruled out running the productions for 50-capacity crowds for three weeks, pending conversations with Caesars Entertainment officials.
The Tropicana had brought back its Laugh Factory comedy lineup with headliner Andrew Dice Clay scheduled Thanksgiving weekend. Club operator Harry Basil said Sunday he still plans to keep the room running at 50 capacity.
Veteran producer David Saxe has a series of productions, including cornerstone show “V — The Ultimate Variety Show” still on the books beginning Dec. 17, just outside the three-week window. His smallest theater, known as V3, could still work to a 50-person crowd.
“I’m trying not to make a knee-jerk reaction, but I need to weigh it all,” Saxe said. “I don’t know if we can make it work with 50 people. I need to gauge the shows’ interest in reopening, too. It’s not looking good.”
The Strat brought back the popular “MJ Live” Michael Jackson tribute show, and its L.A. Comedy Club. Just east of the Strip, the Tuscany was back with “The Rat Pack Is Back” in an upstairs ballroom.
There is no formal word yet on whether those shows will attempt to run through the pause. As “Rat Pack” band leader Lon Bronson said, “This is like Apollo 13. We’re trying to do the best with what we have.”