Las Vegas entertainment officials hail relaxing of COVID-19 restrictions
Producers and entertainment officials reacted optimistically to Gov. Steve Sisolak’s announcement he is relaxing of capacities for mass gatherings in Nevada.
Today's ruling by @GovSisolak is indeed welcome news for shows up to 250 capacity, or 50-percent limit, whatever applies. Now it's a matter of protocols being approved by state oversight officials, and returning sidelined workers to action.
— John Katsilometes (@johnnykats) September 30, 2020
Adam Steck of SPI Entertainment and David Saxe of David Saxe Productions were among those encouraged by Tuesday’s developments.
.@AdamSteck1 of @SPIEnt: “Our casts and crew are ready to go and have been for the last 7 months. It will take us a week or so to rehearse and re-choreograph Australia’s Thunder From Down Under per the governor’s protocols.” @reviewjournal
— John Katsilometes (@johnnykats) September 30, 2020
More @AdamSteck1: “The casinos had to let go of most of their Entertainment operations staff so they will need to be rehired and trained if necessary, which might take a few weeks. Best guess at this time would be an Oct. 21 or Nov. 1 opening.” @reviewjournal
— John Katsilometes (@johnnykats) September 30, 2020
From @dspSaxe, on Sisolak directives: “A step in the right direction. Not sure why he gives us no notice and is unclear about specifics.Nonetheless, I am attacking my list of the thousands of tasks I have to complete in order to open.“ @reviewjournal #Vegas #Entertainment
— John Katsilometes (@johnnykats) September 30, 2020
More @dspSaxe: “My initial thoughts are to open the easier shows on Nov. 20 as we had planned, and the others, most notably Zombie Burlesque and Vegas The Show, for Christmas holiday or early in 2021, as they will take a while to rebuild.” @reviewjournal #Vegas #Entertainment
— John Katsilometes (@johnnykats) September 30, 2020
Caesars Entertainment President of Entertainment Jason Gastwirth praised the governor’s decision in a text.
“Live entertainment is the lifeblood of Las Vegas, and we are confident through our carefully constructed health and safety plan, along with the collaboration of our entertainment partners, we can move quickly to successfully reopen theaters when approved to do so to ensure the Entertainment Capital of the World is also the safest. Caesars Entertainment applauds the efforts of Gov. Sisolak, Clark County Commission Chairwoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick and our other officials who have worked tirelessly to support the hospitality industry in this unprecedented time.”
Ivory Star co-owner John Bentham, whose shows include Tape Face, “Marriage Can Be Murder,” Adam London’s “Laughternoon” and “Defending The Caveman,” added this:
“We are thrilled with the Governor’s directive today. Our casts, crews and production teams have been preparing for months to get back to work safely. We are excited to work with our casino partners to open our shows as safely and quickly as possible and bring entertainment back to the city we love.”
Alan Glist of Glist Entertainment said, “There’s lots to do, lots to figure out, lots of protocols and lots of restrictions. At least we can see some light at the end of this tunnel.” Glist and his wife, Kathi, produce the long-running “Menopause The Musical” and Bronx Wanderers at Harrah’s, and also mentalist Thomas John at Caesars Palace’s Cleopatra’s Barge.
Starting Thursday, the gathering limit for indoor and outdoor events will be raised to no more than 250 people, up from the 50-person limit implemented in May.
There are several exemptions that could allow large venues, such as Allegiant Stadium, the new home of the Las Vegas Raiders, large churches and even convention centers to host substantially more people — so long as those attendees could maintain and follow social distancing standards and a slew of other requirements.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His “PodKats!” podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.
