WTF Happened to David Saxe's V THEATER at Planet Hollywood?
Miracle Mile Shop's show factory still has terrific entertainment, but damn....what a chaotic, decaying mess! It's time to clean things up, David Saxe.
Once upon a time, say...four or five years ago, V THEATER at Planet Hollywood's Miracle Mile Shops was a kick-ass place to be. A hodgepodge of three auditoriums built into a shopping mall, V THEATER shouldn't have been a success. Yet somehow it worked. The show selection was excellent, the box office was busy yet highly efficient, and the facilities were pretty decent.
That was then, this is now. In the decaying entertainment atmosphere of 2023, V THEATER still supplies terrific shows. In fact, NEWSical just received VEGAS 411's nod for "Best New Resident Production of 2022". Nevertheless, the venue itself seems to have fallen on hard times. It's in bad shape, my friends. REALLY bad shape!
It would be easy to blame the pandemic on the condition of this two-level trio of theaters, but sorry...that's not going to fly. Our Deputy Editor Sam Novak previously detailed the sad situation that Miracle Mile tenants faced when it was time to reopen. You can head to his Vegas Unfiltered Blog here to learn about that fiasco.
But it's well known that producer David Saxe is an extremely savvy businessman who has most assuredly reaped the rewards of his acumen, along with up to $350K via a pandemic-driven PPP loan.
A previous occupant of V THEATER told VEGAS 411 that Saxe also collected a no-payback-required $10 million SVOG grant. This entity provided us with documentation to prove that V THEATERS received a $10 million government handout during the pandemic. So why does it receive the maintenance of a dive bar restroom?
SAXE THEATER is David's fourth auditorium inside Miracle Mile Shops. I've been told that he played financial hardball with opposing forces before reopening SAXE THEATER on his terms. So one can rightly assume he has the power and funds to bring V THEATER back to its former condition.
SAXE THEATER is much more modern and spacious. It's the permanent home for critically acclaimed VEGAS! The Show and has a pretty kick-ass lounge. Magician Nathan Burton recently moved there from the V, but others like BEATLESHOW have yet to return. I haven't visited the Saxe post-pandemic, but hope it hasn't suffered the same sad fate as the V.
The business model for V THEATER works very much like an assembly line. A number of different shows occupy each auditorium, allowing for a broad selection of titles. There's a tight turnaround time between performances, meaning casts and sets have to quickly switch places as staffers get the last audience out and the next one seated.
It's quite a cost-efficient and successful formula if done correctly. A number of venues take this approach, including NOTORIETY, Modern Showrooms at Alexis Park, Magic Attic at Bally's (now HORSESHOE Hotel Casino), and the former Mosaic Theater.
When staffing isn't an issue, this chaotic-looking setup actually runs smoothly. But that has been more of an exception than the rule these days. I've attended a number of shows in which only one or two people manned the box office, causing an unruly backup. Despite the clerks' best efforts, a long wait was unavoidable.
Last Sunday, a massive line was being attended to by only a pair of agents. At least one hundred patrons patiently waited as the backup snaked down the mall's corridor and out of sight.
V THEATER box office on a "good" day
You may have strolled through the mall and seen these operations in action. To the left, guests are either purchasing or picking up their tickets, while the right is a zig-zag of stanchions leading into the ground-level auditorium. To the far left, a stairwell leads to an additional pair of upstairs theaters that can also be reached by a somewhat-hidden elevator behind the box office.
If you want to have a cocktail or soft drink during the show, be sure to visit the SHOWGIRL BAR in advance. The upstairs VERANDA BAR is almost always closed, and cocktail waitresses no longer service the showrooms. Have cash on hand, as the bar does not accept any other form of payment. And be careful not to purchase more than you can safely carry, as you're about to take a lengthy trek.
Stairwell to V2 and V3 Theaters
Once you arrive on the upper level, you'll take a right to access V2 auditorium or left for the V3. Along the way, you'll see exposed wiring, holes in the walls, and of course, the blocked-off VERANDA BAR.
Pre-pandemic, the VERANDA BAR was a hopping place. I often came here just to hang out, get a cocktail, and people-watch from above. The view is terrific and the drinks were strong and not too expensive. Why would any Vegas showroom not capitalize on alcohol sales? It is a massive missed opportunity and just sad.
Then...
...and now...
The auditoriums themselves are in a state of neglect. Dirty floors, chipped and scuffed walls, and dirty seats abound. A few visits back, I had to shift over from my assigned seat, as it was covered in an assortment of repulsive-looking stains.
Perhaps the lack of showroom cocktail service is a blessing, as the restrooms up here are out of service. If you have to twinkle during the show, it's back down the stairs or the slow-ass elevator. Either way, you'll miss a significant portion of the show. When they are in service, the restrooms are always filthy and smelly.
The ground-level V1 Theater is the largest, but it doesn't fare much better. The entrance and exit areas are stripped to the essentials, once again leaving bare walls, abandoned fixtures, and exposed wiring. At one time, this auditorium had its own bar, but that seems to be long gone as well.
Then...
...and now...
You'd think that in a world-class destination like Las Vegas, business owners would care about maintenance and appearance. Sadly, those run by CAESARS Entertainment are uniformly in a state of decay. From filthy parking garages to broken escalators, gouged walls to torn carpeting, burned-out lighting to overflowing trashcans, you can always count on Caesars to lower the bar.
It's true that MIRACLE MILE SHOPS isn't operated by Planet Hollywood, but you'd find the same level of neglect inside the Paris Hotel, Flamingo, and Rio. They slap an "OUT OF ORDER" or "UNDER REPAIR" sign on whatever's broken and it'll probably still be there the next time you return. So will those parking fees, that were rolled out on the Strip as a pretense for "an improved parking experience". If you say so.
A number of shows and employees who have willingly departed the Saxe umbrella openly speak to VEGAS 411 of nonpayment, union labor violations, building and safety code violations, poor communications, and claims of crude treatment from their overlord.
According to StateText.com, Local 720, AFL-CIO filed numerous charges from April through August 2018 with the National Labor Relations Board. They alleged that David Saxe Productions and V Theater had engaged in unfair labor practices. In April of 2021, Saxe was forced by the NRB to reinstate ten illegally fired employees.
https://youtu.be/yxLcOho6cMM
Saxe himself was portrayed in a less-than-favorable light on a reality series pilot. A disgruntled high-level assistant resigned on camera, stating that she could no longer carry out David's unreasonable demands. That portion of the show is no longer readily available online. But, I digress.
Circling back to V THEATER...where is the pride, dude? You are so fortunate to have dozens of talented individuals gracing your stage. The current line-up includes Kyle Martin's PIANO MAN, The JETS 80s and 90s EXPERIENCE, long-running ZOMBIE BURLESQUE, NEWSical THE MUSICAL, A MUSICAL ABOUT STAR WARS, and family hit V ULTIMATE VARIETY SHOW. Where's the respect for your performers, David? They deserve better!
As a man of undeniable vision and clout, you have the power and the obligation to provide a forum worthy of the talent you collaborate with. It's time to take a good look at the three dumps you operate and restore them to their former glory. If you don't, more shows will depart for greener pastures, and you'll continue to lose employees and customers.
David Saxe
Live entertainment is dying in Las Vegas, Mr. Saxe. It's time to step down from your throne, pick up a hammer, and help save the industry that made you rich.
Click here for our January 2024 follow-up report.
Editor's note - no current entertainers, producers, or directors of V Theater shows spoke to VEGAS 411, either on or off record, for this article.