Mark your calendar for November 6. That’s when top line entertainment returns to MGM Resorts properties on the Strip.
Long-running acts like David Copperfield, Jabbawockeez and Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club return to MGM Grand; Thunder from Down Under and The Australian Bee Gees Show reopen at Excalibur; and Carrot Top and Fantasy grace the stage at Luxor again.
“After eight months, it’s time to bring entertainment back to the entertainment capital of the world,” said George Kliavkoff, MGM Resorts president of entertainment and sports. “While there is still a long road in our city’s recovery, the reintroduction of these shows is an important first step.”
All shows will limit capacity to 250, with six feet between parties and 25 feet separation from the stage. Some shows relocated to new venues to accommodate safety protocols.
According to state-mandated protocols, dancers and comedians have been required to be masked while performing, though musicians and singers have not. But the 25 foot buffer could override the protocol. Ticket sales must be down online not in person. That could affect sales.
Also, the mask requirement for the audience could turn off some customers.
“I think we are not going to have enough seats for the folks that want to see these shows,” Kliavkoff said. “There is so much demand for entertainment. Because we are so limited in the number of seats that we can have in each of the venues, and because we are only opening across the entire city, a handful of shows, we think there are not going to be enough seats for the folks that want to attend the shows.”
More information and tickets can be found at mgmresorts.com.
In concert with state and local officials, MGM expects to bring back more live entertainment in the near future.
Copperfield will return to his eponymous theater for two shows every night at the MGM Grand.
Jabbawockeez will move to the 17,000 seat MGM Grand Garden Arena for performances Thursday to Monday. Garrett’s Comedy Club relocates to Studio A and B ballrooms Friday and Saturday. Boxing fans know these ballrooms as the media center for major title fights at the Grand Garden, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
At Luxor, both Carrot Top and the Fantasy revue will be moving to the larger casino-level theater formerly housing Cirque du Soleil’s “R.U.N” production, dubbed Luxor Theater. Carrot Top will take the stage for early shows Monday through Saturday with Fantasy appearing each night for late shows.
Excalibur’s Thunderland Showroom will continue to host The Australian Bee Gees Show and the male revue Thunder from Down Under.
“I would say we’re in a unique, good position as MGM Resorts because we have so many venues that were able to take shows that can’t open up in their existing venues because of the 25-foot rule, and still open them successfully,” Kliavkoff said.
Elsewhere, X Country reopened at Harrah’s Las Vegas and Absinthe at Caesars Palace. Piff the Magic Dragon is expected to reopen at the Flamingo the week of October 26.
The return of headliners at Mirage Theater and Park MGM will have to wait.
“I don’t think we are ready to talk about the reopening plans for any shows beyond the seven that we are announcing,” Kliavkoff said.
