‘Awakening’ to close in October at Wynn Las Vegas

From the start, “Awakening” was an outlier. This was a lavish production, owned by its host hotel, at a time when entertainment companies are downsizing.

Given its singular position in the Las Vegas market, it is not a shock that the ambitious production at Wynn Las Vegas is closing. Its final show will be Oct. 10. The show struggled to fill seats throughout its run, despite discounts and changes in showtimes.

A statement from a Wynn rep: “Awakening will conclude its run on October 10 as we prepare a new production for the theater. We are immensely grateful to the talented producers, cast, crew and creative team whose passion, artistry and dedication brought the show to life night after night.

“Their work created something special, and we are proud of all that the cast and crew achieved during its run. The theater’s next chapter is already taking shape, and a new production will debut in 2027.”

Wynn officials have declined further comment.

The show’s cast and crew were informed in a companywide meeting at Awakening Theater led by Wynn Chief Operating Officer Brian Gullbrants. Those assembled were aware the message was not going to be positive. (Full-cast meetings called on short notice inside theaters are not typically positive.)

The performers were offered an opportunity to audition for the new show. The cast is already speculating that robots will be incorporated into the next production.

“Awakening” opened in November 2022 as a replacement for “Le Reve,” at a cost of $120 million.

The production has featured a cast of 60 international artists. The creative team was led by industry heavyweights Baz Halpin (who directed Taylor Swift’s “Eras” tour and Usher’s Super Bowl halftime show in Las Vegas), master puppeteer Michael Curry (“The Lion King” is among his many credits) and Siegfried & Roy’s longtime manager Bernie Yuman. Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins furnished the story narration.

Performed in the round in a 1,600-capacity theater, the show featured extensive illusions, musical numbers and choreography. Emmy-nominated composer Brian Tyler developed the score. A total of 3,200 speakers — two per seat — were installed during the theater renovation. Acclaimed costume designer and celeb stylist Soyon An created more than 300 functional costumes.

The show went dark for a significant rewrite from April to September 2023. A pair of clown characters were brought in to infuse levity. Tweaks to the stage production were ongoing. “Eras” tour choreographer Mandy Moore was brought in during the pause to revamp dance numbers.

Curry’s puppetry, with whales floating through a simulated oceanic scene, was a signature element. The production developed a scene in which the lead character Light, played by the terrific Datus Puryear, spins and vanishes from the stage in the closing segment.

But photos and video on social media from performances consistently showed a sparsely populated theater. The production had prohibited posts on social channels before its 2023 shutdown, but allowed video and still images when it reopened. That content was a mixed bag of beautiful scenes playing to a sea of empty seats.

“Awakening” was always in stiff competition with similarly scaled Cirque du Soleil shows such as “O,” “Mystere,” “Michael Jackson ONE” and “Ka,” not to mention the grandeur of Sphere, just next door.

In an era when even the boutique production “Mad Apple” at New York-New York can’t survive, the odds were always stacked against “Awakening.”

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A legit pop star from years gone by who still crushes is setting up an extended engagement at a famous Strip resort. New music is due, too. Look for a holiday vibe with this fab figure …

Cool Hang Alert

The Frenzy Fest Las Vegas night of original music is set for Monday night at three venues at the Palms. Show times begin at 7 p.m., with 20 Vegas acts flooding Kaos Nightclub, Palms Pool and Greene St. Kitchen. Among the fab and familiar are Soft Echo, Justin Carder Band, Mojo Juju, Dez Hoston, Wes Meadows, Radical West, The Funk Jam and Fletch & The City, fronted by Fletch Walcott.

Chris Phillips of Zowie Bowie, Vegas singer-songwriter Shawn Eiferman and local singer Asha Di Canta host. Beyer Entertainment has conceived the rare, casino celebration of original music. Company CEO Woody Jarrett is among those onstage.

The performers play 20-minute sets. The event is free and open to the public, with a suggested $20 donation to the Vegas youth program Positively Arts. Go to frenzyfestlv.com/#artists to support the cause.

John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.