LAS VEGAS – The dimmer switch of Nevada’s venue capacity restrictions is bumping up again. One month after his mid-February announcement that public gatherings could be expanded from 50 to 100 people, or 35 percent of capacity, Nevada governor Steve Sisolak announced the further relaxation of venue capacity restrictions to the 50 percent mark. In response, dozens of shows in Las Vegas have plans to open again by late March.
The good news, coming close to a year after the wave of Covid-19 shutdowns brought the Las Vegas Strip to a standstill, is reminiscent of the announcement of shows returning last fall before a winter surge in infections forced shows back into hibernation. But if masks are still required to attend the distanced performances this spring, the 25-foot distance requirement between performers and audience members has been relaxed, and while new strains of the virus remain a concern, the percentage of venue workers, performers and audience members who have been vaccinated continues to rise.
Major casino operators Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts have both announced the return of shows in their comedy clubs and showrooms this month. These include, for Caesars, Absinthe at Caesars Palace; Tape Face and X Country at Harrah’s; Piff the Magic Dragon and X Burlesque at the Flamingo; and Extravaganza at Bally’s Jubilee Theater. MGM shows include David Copperfield, Jabbawockeez and Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club at the MGM Grand; Terry Fator at New York New York, Carrot Top and Fantasy at the Luxor; and Australian Bee Gees Show and Thunder From Down Under at the Excalibur.
Shows at other casinos coming back this month include various comedy, burlesque, tribute and magic shows at the Tropicana, the Strat, Tuscany Suites and other smaller venues up and down the Strip. The hope is that, by mid-2021, as Las Vegas conventions start making their return, that Las Vegas entertainment will be back in full swing, including Cirque du Soleil’s plans to bring five of its shows back starting July 4.
