MGM China is set to debut a new residency show in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the 25th anniversary of Macau's reunification with the PRC.
"Macau 2049" commemorates Macau’s 1999 handover from Portugal to the People’s Republic of China and reflects MGM’s dedication to expanding non-gaming experiences. Scheduled to debut on December 15 at MGM Cotai, a sister property to MGM Macau, the show underscores the company’s commitment to introducing culturally significant and entertainment-driven attractions to the city.
Celebrating anniversary of Macau handover
Now a Chinese Special Administrative Region (SAR), Macau is set for reunification with the PRC by 2049.
Speaking with Variety, an MGM spokesperson described the show as "a grand tribute to the 75th anniversary of the PRC’s founding and the 25th anniversary of Macau’s return." The production is also aimed at elevating Macau's cultural and entertainment sectors.
Designed to further establish Macau as a "City of Performing Arts" and showcase Chinese culture globally, the show will premiere in MGM Cotai’s 2,000-seat high-tech theater, presenting traditional Chinese culture through a modern lens.
Pansy Ho: “A milestone in cultural tourism”
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Zhang Yimou, known for Raise the Red Lantern and Full River Red, Macau 2049 brings his signature vision to MGM Cotai. Zhang, who also directed the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and 2022, shared that the show will “leverage technology and creativity to strengthen Chinese cultural pride and engage global audiences with China’s cultural heritage.”
Pansy Ho, MGM China’s chairwoman and executive director, described the production as a “landmark in cultural tourism” that aligns with Macau’s transition to a new phase of “1+4” diversified growth. Her comment refers to Macau’s Plan for Economic Diversification, a five-year initiative aimed at establishing the city as a global tourism and leisure center by 2028.
The plan also highlights the development of four emerging sectors: health, financial technology, and a fourth category comprising culture, sports, and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions).
New chief executive calls for more residencies
Macau's soon-to-be chief executive, Sam Hou Fai, has encouraged casino operators to increase their investments in entertainment residencies to drive tourism growth, according to the South China Morning Post.
"A renowned UK artist was offered around $200 million for a half-year residency but declined," Sam noted, hinting at singer Adele. "We need to pursue similar opportunities for sustained tourism."
Sam, a former judge elected on October 13, is set to replace current Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng in December.
In the meantime, Melco Resorts and Entertainment’s House of Dancing Water, a water-based stage production, is set to return to City of Dreams Macau later this year. This grand show, the world’s largest of its kind, originally ran from September 2010 to June 2020, drawing over six million attendees before its closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as reported by Macao News.
