“Awakening” to Close at Wynn Las Vegas After Four-Year Run
“Awakening,” the lavish (and hugely expensive) spectacle at Wynn Las Vegas, ends its nearly four-year run on Oct. 10, 2026.
The show’s over-the-top technology made a splash when it opened on Nov. 7, 2022, but was never able to become profitable. Losses were estimated to be $150,000 to $200,000 a week, making the ambitious show unsustainable, even after repeated retoolings along the way.
Pretty much every piece of “Awakening” was incredible, from the costumes and choreography to the giant puppets and variety acts. Unfortunately, the entertainment landscape has changed in Las Vegas. “Awakening” may have been the last true loss-leader in a town once renowned for them.
“Awakening” was the successor to “Le Reve,” Wynn’s long-running aquatic spectacular that closed permanently during the pandemic.
“Awakening” is estimated to have cost $150 million to create, including overhauling the “Le Reve” theater.
Wynn Resorts sent along a short statement about the show’s closure: “‘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.”
We hope they keep the stage. It’s mind-blowing.
Wynn brought in some big guns for “Awakening,” including Bernie Yuman, Baz Halpin and Michael Curry.
Yuman managed Siegfried & Roy. Halpin has designed, directed and produced massive concert tours and spectacles for big-time performers. Curry is one of the world’s foremost puppet and character designers.
We know all of them and they are all very smart and talented people.
The list of creative collaborators didn’t stop there.
Comic book writer Kelly Sue DeConnick wrote the show (sadly, it was the weak link in the show), Brian Tyler composed its original score, George Tsypin designed the sets, Soyon An created the costumes, Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer handled lighting and Paul Kieve designed the illusions. The illusions were another stumbling block for the production. The Siegfried & Roy-era magic tricks felt shoehorned into the show, and they were gobbled up by the massive stage.
Even a narration by two-time Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins couldn’t help “Awakening.” It actually added to the confusion caused by the story, and over time much of the narration was quietly removed.
We should probably include a perfunctory overview of the show’s alleged story: “Awakening” initially followed a heroine named IO on a mythological quest involving Light, Darkness, love, magic and other themes audiences needed a flowchart to understand.
The show took a break in early 2023 for changes to the script and music.
We generously provided guidance for the show, and after almost all of our suggestions were integrated into “Awakening,” it improved. There were more acrobatics, the plot was mansplained up front, comedy was added, there was new choreography.
Following that revamp, the creative team kept trying to incrementally improve the show, but all the major set pieces were in place, so there wasn’t a lot of wiggle room.
Even an overhaul couldn’t overcome the show’s built-in challenge: Huge production shows cost a metric ass-ton.
We reported in April 2026 that tickets had dipped as low as about $60. That’s great for show-goers, but it was terrible for Wynn.
Back in the day, gambling revenue subsidized shows. That’s no longer the case. Wynn subsidizing “Awakening” wasn’t going to fly for long with a public company.
At some point, reality had to set in.
It was impressive that Wynn supported “Awakening” as long as it did. Part of it was pride, but it also had to do with a belief the show would find its footing. It never really did.
The reality is the plug would’ve been pulled far sooner if it were being produced by a company with fewer financial resources than Wynn Resorts.
The technical brilliance of “Awakening” simply never translated into commercial success.
As the news outlet that first shared the new show at Wynn would be “Awakening,” we feel obligated to leak all the details of the next show when they become available. But probably before they become available.
Our heart goes out to all the folks onstage and behind the scenes who poured their time and energy into “Awakening.” They can feel good about knowing they created something incredible.
Creative endeavors aren’t, and shouldn’t be, judged by profitability as the sole measure of success.
Did it take your breath away? Did you see something you’ve never seen before? Did you get weepy in parts? Did you wonder “How in the F did they do that?” Were there moments of pure awe? Will you remember it forever?
We trust Wynn Resorts will top itself yet again with its next production.
The company had a handshake deal with the producer of “Absinthe” at one point. Maybe smaller and funnier and less expensive this time.
At the risk of sounding like ourself, dibs on Bubbles.
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