Cirque du Soleil, based in Montreal, Quebec, has eight shows in hotel theatres in Las Vegas. Today they issued this statement:
“A tragic shooting occurred last night in Las Vegas. To ensure the safety of our teams and audience members, all our theatres were immediately put into lockdown in collaboration with local authorities. Audience members who were attending our shows have since been authorized to leave the theatres.
“For the time being, none of our employees have been identified among the victims. We are in the process of checking in with each of them and organizing on-the-ground support for all our teams.”
“Las Vegas is our second home after Montreal. We want to provide all the support we can to the community”
“It’s been a sleepless night,” Cirque spokesperson Marie-Hélène Lagacé told the Montreal Gazette newspaper.
“So far so good, we’re touching wood that none of our employees or their loved ones have been affected. But we have yet to get full confirmation.”
Cirque du Soleil has 1,500 employees in the entertainment capital of the United States.
Last night’s rampage during the Harvest Music Festival, is now the deadliest mass shooting in American history,
59 people are confirmed dead, and more than 515 people were injured and have filled Las Vegas hospitals.
Two Canadians are among the dead: Jessica Klymchuk, of Edmonton, Alberta, a mother of 4 children, and Jordan Mcildoon, 23, of Maple Ridge, British Columbia.
Meanwhile, all eight Cirque productions in Las Vegas scheduled for tonight are cancelled.
Reopening will be considered on a “one day at a time” basis.
“Our priority is to make sure all of our employees are safe and then to provide them and the community with support,” Lagacé said.
“Las Vegas is our second home after Montreal. We want to provide all the support we can to the community and that’s where our focus is.”
Céline Dion was scheduled to perform at Caesar’s Palace on Tuesday night, and for the rest of the week.
Dion tweeted: “Praying for all the innocent victims and their families in Las Vegas – Céline xx… #LasVegas”
With files from the Montreal Gazette, and CBC
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