- Caesars Entertainment has announced that the Rio Las Vegas will return to full operational status on April 19.
- The property reopened in December with hotel operations limited to weekends.
- Penn & Teller’s iconic magic show will return on April 22.
More good news out on the Las Vegas tourism and gaming front. Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ: CZR) will return the Rio Las Vegas to full operational status on April 19. The property initially reopened on December 22 with limited amenities although the gaming floor was open 24/7. Since that time, the hotel has been on a ‘weekend only’ schedule but will now return to a 24/7 operation throughout the property.
The Rio’s announcement is doubly significant as it is the last Caesars property in the Las Vegas Valley to return to daily operations. In March, Caesars returned The Linq and Planet Hollywood to full operational status. During the preciptious downturn in tourism caused by the COVID-19 pandemic many Las Vegas resorts curtailed operations to save money. Many shut down their hotels midweek with a few shutting down entirely except on weekends. Sean McBurney, Caesars’ regional president of Las Vegas operations, said in a press release that he’s glad to be back in business 24/7:
“As the destination continues to rebound, we look forward to seeing more visitors enjoying all the wonderful amenities our properties across the city have to offer.”
Another positive development for the Rio Las Vegas is the return of Penn & Teller’s iconic magic show. They’ll return to their eponymously named theater on April 22 for a show featuring all new material as well as ‘classic hits’. In the press release announcing the return, Penn Jillette gave the audience a gentle reminder to wear their masks:
“We are so excited to go back to doing what we do, where we do it, for the people we do it for. Teller and I are both more than two weeks out of our second shots, and in the same bubble, so we can stand unmasked on our stage. We will give up seeing what we hope are smiling faces so our audience can stay masked and safe.”
“We haven’t been on stage in over a year, so we don’t know whether the audience will be coming to see us do miracles, or just to see if we remember which way to face on stage. But no matter what, we’re excited to return to our home at the Rio!”
Jason Gastwirth, President of Entertainment at Caesars Entertainment, is glad to see entertainment returning to his properties:
“We are thrilled to welcome Penn & Teller back to live performances at the Rio. After a challenging year, the demand for joy and laughter is higher than ever, and Penn & Teller will certainly supply that, as they have been doing for decades in the heart of Las Vegas.”
Here’s the schedule for upcoming shows:
- April 22 – 25, 29 – 30
- May 1 – 2, 6 – 8, 28 – 31
- June 3 – 6, 10 – 13
There will be plenty of social distancing enforced as well as a limited capacity. Seating will be limited to 257 audience members in the 1,475 seat capacity venue:
Following applicable guidelines set forth by health and government authorities, as well as Caesars Entertainment’s enhanced health and safety protocols, masks will be mandatory for guests, and audiences will be socially distanced. Designed to be intimate and engaging, there will be three-different seating options for the reopening of the show with a capacity of 257 audience members. Guests will be assigned arrival times when they purchase tickets and will be seated by theater staff.
Tickets will go on sale to the public starting Friday, April 2 at 10 a.m. PT. Caesars Rewards members, Caesars Entertainment’s loyalty program, and Ticketmaster will offer a presale running Thursday, April 1 from 10 a.m. PT to 10 p.m. PT. Tickets begin at $60 and will be available at any Las Vegas Caesars Entertainment Box Office, by calling 702-777-2782 or 855-234-7469, or online at www.caesars.com/shows.
