Everyone anticipating that their shows (which have been closed for a year) would open, was in for a shock this week. Caesars Entertainment has decided to close numerous rooms.
Caesars is “slimming down” its live offerings, it revealed in a series of phone calls with show producers Thursday.
The adult revue “X Rocks” at Bally’s, produced by Matt and Angela Stabile and their Stabile Production collective, which are good friends of mine are not able to celebrate. Instead, their show which had played the Back Room at Bally’s, across from Buca di Beppo, will not reopen.
Bronx Wanderers, which had just moved into a Harrah’s Showroom, and is a terrific musical made up of family and friends, has been closed, producer Alan Glist confirmed Thursday.
The Anthony Cools Experience theater at Paris Las Vegas is also closing, which leaves “Friends! The Musical Parody,” “Sex Tips” and Cools’ own hypnosis show without a spot. Cools leases the theater from Caesars Entertainment, and has been there for nearly twenty years.
Caesars Entertainment officials offered no comment Thursday on the developments surrounding its live entertainment. Ahead, we are all wondering how the spaces will be used.
Those who got the calls were totally caught off guard.
“It was out of left field,” Glist said. “I was shocked. But I do understand this is a numbers game, and not a personal thing. Everyone at the company loves the show. We should have another venue lined up soon.”
Other producers echoed that thought.
“This isn’t the call I expected, with everything reopening,” said “Friends” producer John Bentham of Ivory Star. By eliminating these smaller showrooms, you’re eliminating good, affordable, unique shows.”
Without a doubt, these closures totally diminish the middle-class entertainment options in Las Vegas. One showroom that will stay open is the Magic Attic at Bally’s — home to the “Potted Potter” parody, Frederic Da Silva’s “Paranormal” and the magic headliner Xavier Mortimer along with Sin City Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort — home to “Crazy Girls” and the Tenors of Rock tribute show — have all been under review.
An unconfirmed report: Tape Face, co-produced by Bentham’s company, will continue to headline even though his House of Tape theater at Harrah’s might close, too. The comic mime (legal name Sam Wills) has been at Harrah’s Showroom in pandemic reopening and will continue to headline.
Some venues as the Flamingo Showroom, which is bringing back “Ru Paul’s Drag Race Live!” on Aug. 5, and Harrah’s Showroom are staying as of now. The latter has been Mac King’s home for nearly 20 years. Harrah’s is where Donny Osmond is selling out quickly for his Aug. 30 opening and where the Righteous Brothers are also expected to return.
Mat Franco is still at his theater at The Linq Hotel. Wayne Newton was getting ready to return to Cleopatra’s Barge at Caesars Palace but that was all changed today. Criss Angel will be back at his self-named theater at Planet Hollywood.
The “X Rocks” cast gained fame as the opening act for Metallica at T-Mobile Arena in November 2018, introduced by comic Jim Breuer. The troupe lit up the venue, which filled to capacity with 20,000 hard rock fans.
The Stabiles say the show will return “100 percent” in 2022. Stabile Production hits Piff the Magic Dragon and the revues “X Burlesque” at the Flamingo and “X Country” at Harrah’s Cabaret are being spared. I saw Piff’s show last month and there is a review posted on this site.
Piff has been performing in a socially distanced Flamingo Showroom but typically alternates showtimes with “X Burlesque” in the former Bugsy Cabaret. The venue is named for X Burlesque when that show performs and for Piff when he is onstage.
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