Yaamava’ offers peek at theater to open soon

Yaamava’ Resort & Casino is getting closer to opening its new entertainment venue.

The Highland-area resort plans to open the Yaamava’ Theater this spring, and concert promoting giant Live Nation has come onboard as a booking partner, according to a news release from the casino.

Expect to see comedians, Top 40 musical acts and multicultural programs that include Latin and Asian artists, Drew Dixon, Yaamava’s vice president of entertainment, said in a phone interview.

“It’s a great partnership in that it aligns a premier live entertainment company with our theater,” Dixon said. “Working together to route artists from the Los Angeles area will allow us to elevate the experience that we’re here to deliver at the theater in an intimate setting.”

The theater will be able to seat 2,600 guests with reserved seating but up to 3,000 when the seats are fully retracted. It also includes nine suites with plush seating, private bathrooms and drink service.

“The seating allows us to have different types of programming that would have a more active floor or a little bit more of an upscale experience with the seated capacities,” said Dixon.

Concerts were held in the bingo hall on Thursdays before the casino converted that area into its Rockin’ Casino gaming area, which opened in 2017. Dixon said those bingo hall shows were limited, but the new theater will expand the property’s options.

“We won’t be tied to a specific date in the week to produce shows,” Dixon said. “We’re going to produce them on any of the seven days of the week, depending on what our schedule turns out to be.”

The resort, formerly known as San Manuel Casino, opened its new hotel tower in December. The Yaamava’ Theater is the final phase of the property’s $760 million expansion project. Casino officials have not specified an opening date. The casino has been hosting hiring fairs for positions at the venue, and those interested can apply at sanmanuelcareers.com.