Well it finally happened
Selected extracts from a Dec. 12, 2015 Article on Jubilee! closing - -
‘Jubilee’ at Bally’s to close Feb. 11 after 34-year run
The longest-running show on the Las Vegas Strip will close on Feb. 11. The cast and crew of “Jubilee” at Bally’s were rocked with the unexpected news shortly before midnight Saturday.
It has been a historic run as the last showgirl extravaganza on the Strip, and therein lies the economic challenges buffering a continuing run. Although there have been sellouts of the 1,040 seats, the production team has wrestled with one of the most expensive budgets in town.
The cast of nearly 70 dancers, singers and specialty acts is matched by the almost 70 stagehands it takes to operate the stage, sets, lights, elevators and sound equipment. Twenty-six people work in the wardrobe department to keep those outrageous and expensive costumes in shape.
Out of sight from the audience are three main double-decker elevators each with 100,000-pound lift capacity, six smaller elevators and two revolving elevators that help move dancers and sets. The nearly 35-year-old theater is no modern technical marvel, and in recent weeks two of those elevators stopped working and moved out of alignment. Replacement costs would be prohibitive, let alone the costs to close the structure for repair.
“Jubilee” was on its last legs. A closing and change was the only alternative.
The stats are staggering: 18,720 shows for more than 18 million guests. "It’s an amazing feat. ‘Jubilee’ is a great example of how something unique, distinctive and extraordinary really never goes out of style. Big concerts and special events come and go in Las Vegas, but only one show outlived them all."
|
