Paul Szydelko
Nevada is loosening limits on crowd sizes, allowing the gradual resumption of ticketed entertainment, sporting events and conventions absent since the start of the pandemic.
Showrooms and theaters must restrict audiences to no more than 250 people or 50% of the venue's capacity, whichever is fewer. Larger stadiums and arenas with fixed seating can reopen at no more than 10% capacity.
Crowds in these facilities must be divided into 250-person "sections" at least 25 feet apart, each with its own staffing. Sections must have staggered entrance and exit times if necessary to prevent bottlenecks, with minimal shared use of concession areas and restrooms. Within sections, there must be at least six feet of separation between "pods," a reserved or registered party of no more than six people, all of whom should be members of the same household.
Many other requirements are listed for plans to receive approval from the state before performances and other activities can begin.
Despite the challenging rules that must be navigated and bare-bone business plans that must be devised, the looser crowd caps that went into effect on Oct. 1 qualify as good news for the near-dormant live entertainment industry in Las Vegas.
Under the previous 50-person cap on public gatherings and a 50% capacity limit, Las Vegas bars and lounges reopened Sept. 21. Singers, musicians and other entertainers were allowed to perform, essentially as background entertainment rather than featured attractions.
Lounge acts are not heavily promoted, but they are not difficult to find for those who want a bit of ambience to complement their cocktails and meals. Bootlegger Bistro south on the Strip is renowned for its in-dinner entertainment. Notoriety at downtown's Neonopolis hosts the Ambient Music Hang.
The Mayfair Supper Club at Bellagio and Rose. Rabbit. Lie. at the Cosmopolitan are among the most prominent places within Strip resorts to see live entertainment while dining.
But the more elaborate, ticketed productions for which Las Vegas is known may be on the way soon, employing performers and crew who have been out of work since March.
Spiegelworld, which produces "Absinthe" at Caesars Palace, "Opium" at the Cosmopolitan and "Atomic Saloon Show" at the Venetian, has already implemented structural changes at the Caesars venue in anticipation of opening.
"It is a sensible start," said Ross Mollison, founder of Spiegelworld, responding to the new guidelines. "We are artistically excited about creating wonderful venues for our shows, and we believe with some creative thinking, we can see our shows relaunch with a break-even result, while getting as many of our team members as possible back on the payroll."
Hoping to see his shows return to stage this month, Mollison said he is working to clarify one rule that requires a minimum of 25 feet between individuals and performers or competitors. "We believe [that] may not be applicable to our venues, so we are awaiting guidance on this," he said.
• Related: As the curtain goes down on one show, others prepare for a return
Meanwhile, construction of a home for Channing Tatum's "Magic Mike Live" has begun at Sahara Las Vegas in anticipation of a spring opening.
Part of the resort's ongoing $150 million transformation, the two-story venue is being designed and built specifically for the production's needs.
"Our goal for the flagship production in Las Vegas is to create our most unique, intimate and technically advanced venue in the world," executive producer Vincent Marini said. "We want to provide our fans with a revamped, electrifying show that is the product of years of creative evolution and is truly worthy of its new home on the Las Vegas Strip."