Photo courtesy of The Smith Center

Aural Artistry – The Smith Center, Las Vegas

BY BRIAN G. THORNTON, IIDA

An orchestra tunes itself to a very particular frequency, usually 440 hertz, a note known as A 440. As the Smith Center for the Performing Arts [“The Smith Center”] has passed its eighth anniversary, it is well-tuned for the year 2020. It would also be safe to say The Smith Center has operated at peak performance since opening night.

Long before listening to recorded music was as accessible as donning headsets or earbuds, concert halls became the norm for listening to music in large spaces designed solely for that purpose. Performing Arts Centers or PACS embody not only musical performances but dance, theater, and even the spoken word. The earliest such centers may have been in Greece in the 6th century BC, where Socrates delivered his tragic poetry and plays.

Centuries later, concert halls still deliver the best non-amplified live listening environments and experiences. Today, halls are so architecturally innovative that the buildings themselves can draw patrons. They are designed to weave stories of the people who animate these spaces and serve as important symbols of civic pride.

Myron’s Cabaret Jazz, Photo Courtesy of Geri Kodey

The Smith Center represents the 21st-century development of this performance genre. Many know and first associate Las Vegas with the nickname Sin City. Yet very few realize the moniker “Entertainment Capital of The World” is a reputation that began back in the 1940s as stars began to play on “The Strip.” Our town has grown into a world-class city. So, what attributes make a city, in sum, truly civilized? When asked, you will get as many responses as there are cities on the planet, but a survey of mutual thoughts reduces down to a few key elements.

In an article written in September 2009, Forbes writer Sarah Hansen posed that very question to over a dozen other writers from various parts of the world. The nearly 120 responses all had the anticipated safety, memorable architecture, ethnic mix of residents and cuisine, multiple airports, accessible transportation, water, low taxes, libraries, schools, sporting facilities, the ability to grow, sustainability, etc. Other expected elements were reasonably high up on most lists: A great orchestra and opera company, Broadway and off-Broadway performances, musical concerts of all types, and a great place to experience it all.

From May 2009 until it opened its doors some 34 months later in March 2012, The Fred and Mary Smith Center for the Performing Arts has become an immediate icon on the Downtown Las Vegas horizon. Through its unique fundraising vehicle, the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, and its inaugural $150 million donation along with Clark County and the State of Nevada funding initiatives, the project progressed from a wish list to reality.

The civic stature of the building is a bit of an instant landmark. Architecturally, fronting its own civic lawn, the Fred W Smith Symphony Park is part of a 1.7-acre campus to house the campus. With very little to force context, Architect David M Swartz chose a Neo Art Deco period to place the $470 M building. Inspiration was offered by the nearby Hoover Dam, the Nebraska State Capitol building, and shared elements of the Los Angeles 1929 Bullock Department Store on Wilshire, combined to create our new iconic center.

Moving towards its ninth season and playing out a global pandemic, CHIC Compass thought to visit The Smith Center and see how it’s doing and what’s in the wings. What performances will find its way center stage as the next season comes around? We recently spoke with President and CEO, Myron Martin.

Photograph of Myron Martin, courtesy of The Smith Center

A TRULY UNIQUE COMPLEX

CHIC COMPASS: The Smith Center is a powerful cultural amenity in Las Vegas. Will you speak to the unique qualities of The Smith Center? [With regards to other shows, concerts, and theatrical events]

MYRON MARTIN: “I love it when I hear that The Smith Center has transformed our city and changed perceptions about the Entertainment Capital of the World. Yes, The Smith Center was created for people who live here, but the fact that we have one of the most excellent performing arts centers in the world says that we are a leader in both the arts and entertainment.

“The project was twenty years in the making, and we dreamt big, but the fulfillment of our world-class performing arts center is better than any of my dreams. What makes it special? It started with a passionate group of southern Nevada visionaries, a group of caring elected officials, and the support of the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. We were blessed to engage an extraordinary design team – architects, engineers, designers, acousticians, and theater planners – who worked as a team to create something unique. And of course, we couldn’t have done it without a supportive community and a group of extraordinary donors.

“Fortunately, we raised the majority of the funding needed to build the center before the economic downturn, which allowed us to finish on time and within budget. Actually, we were able to do that while also adding elements from our wish list in terms of design upgrades, thanks to a competitive bidding process and an excellent contractor.

“We started with a series of trips with our design team, where we explored the best centers around the world. We took books of notes and thousands of photos. We learned a lot and established a vocabulary that helped us immensely during the design phase. Learning from the best, we borrowed design elements that resonated with us. The result was a truly unique complex that is based on a rich palette of architecture and design, including a tip of the hat to the Hoover Dam, which inspired our art deco approach.
“They say that performing arts centers are among the most challenging building types to design and build. Our team did a great job of designing a building that maintained the design intent while handling difficult tasks like vibration mitigation from the nearby railroad tracks and plane and helicopter noise from the sky. The structure is actually a building within a building that includes 36” of concrete in the basement and nearly that much on the roof. And painstakingly detailed attention was paid to site lines, seat sizes, and acoustic concerns.

“When it comes to shows, concerts, and events, it takes an extraordinary place to bring the world’s most talented people to Las Vegas. The Smith Center has transformed arts and culture in Southern Nevada by regularly presenting acclaimed performers and Broadway tours that might not otherwise visit Las Vegas. These include smash Broadway hits such as “Hamilton,” “The Book of Mormon,” and “Wicked,” as well as performances by megastars such as John Legend, Jackson Browne, Ringo Starr, Wynonna Judd, and The Beach Boys. The Smith Center also presents leading artists from across the nation and around the world, such as the Royal Philharmonic, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and the taiko drumming group Kodo.

Reynold’s Hall at The Smith Center, photo courtesy of Geri Kodey

“Additionally, the center has produced all-new works, including collaborating with Teller and the American Repertory Theater on a reimagined “Tempest,” followed by producing its first original musical, “Idaho! The Comedy Musical.” The Smith Center has also partnered with PBS on multiple occasions to film concerts for national broadcast, bringing the center into Americans’ living rooms.

“These are just of few of the items that went into making The Smith Center, and many others make this a very, very special place. As a nonprofit, The Smith Center further serves as a community hub, where Southern Nevadans from all walks of life gather to create memories and experience the joy of the performing arts side by side. Significantly, its education and outreach initiatives over the last eight years have impacted over 700,000 Southern Nevada students and teachers at no cost to schools.

“Today The Smith Center is ranked as one of the top 10 theaters in the world by Pollstar Magazine, a respected trade publication for the concert industry. With its three performance spaces — Reynolds Hall, Myron’s Cabaret Jazz, and Troesh Studio Theater — The Smith Center offers one the most acoustically advanced and versatile performing arts campuses in the world.”

Erin Mackey and Mariand Torres in WICKED. Photo by Joan Marcus

THE ROAD TO REOPENING

CHIC COMPASS: In the midst of the COVID 19 pandemic, what specific challenges are you finding to continue fundraising, and how can patrons and subscribers get involved?

MYRON MARTIN: “The Smith Center was one of the first places to close and will be one of the very last to reopen. Since our stages and halls went dark by executive order, we have had to cancel every performance scheduled from March this year through December 2020, totaling $20.5 million lost in anticipated ticket revenue and resulting in a severe financial setback.

“Sadly, as much as 75% of our team has been furloughed, with others receiving pay cuts. Our operating budget has been cut dramatically. Yet, despite the cuts, we still have significant bills to pay every month to keep the building safe and operational and to keep the people necessary to prepare for reopening. Additionally, as we develop a comprehensive reopening plan to welcome our patrons back safely, we have to explore new and potentially expensive initiatives such as touch-less payment systems, electrostatic cleaners, and a variety of other new safety measures and equipment.

“In a good year, we have to raise 25% of our budget. Now without any ticket sales, we must raise every dollar needed to keep things going until it is safe to return. Yes, this is hard, but it is heartwarming to know that caring donors are stepping forward. I am touched by the number of people who have donated their tickets to canceled shows this summer to The Smith Center.

“I love our city. To get to what I am calling Act II, we need to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars each month to open successfully. I am hopeful that our congressional delegation will be able to help nurture some legislation that could help us dramatically, including the SAVE OUR STAGES ACT (You can add moral support by going to Saveourstages.com.)

“In the meantime, I am confident that the good people of Nevada will help us get there. To help ensure that the curtain does rise again, people may donate at Road to Reopening Fund.”

Yanni performs at The Smith Center.
Photo courtesy of The Smith Center.

THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

CHIC COMPASS: Please describe the value of having both large and small venues at The Smith Center?

MYRON MARTIN: “We are a full-scale performing arts center with multiple performance venues. This allows us to host multiple performances on any given day and, in fact, allowed us to present 500 events last year alone.

“The list of great performances is too long to list, but each of our venues is known for excellence. From the main stage Reynolds Hall to the Troesh Studio Theater and Myron’s Cabaret Jazz, there is something for everyone.

“Reynolds Hall is the largest of the venues at The Smith Center. It seats 2,050, is home to our two resident companies, and is where touring Broadway productions take center stage, in addition to various music and dance performances. Highlights of Reynolds Hall include stunning balconies, a dramatic stage, and a full orchestra pit capable of seating up to 100 musicians.

“The 240-seat, two-story Myron’s Cabaret Jazz spotlights some of the world’s most gifted artists and cabaret entertainers across numerous genres, who are best seen and heard in an intimate setting. Myron’s Cabaret Jazz was inspired by many great venues around the world, including Jazz at Lincoln Center, Café Carlyle, Bluenote Jazz, Birdland Jazz Club, and Feinstein’s in New York. “Additional inspiration came from the Mayflower in Washington, D.C., SFJAZZ in San Francisco and Yoshi’s in Oakland, to name just a few.

“The 250-seat Troesh Studio Theater is ideal for up-close performances such as classical ensemble concerts, dramatic plays, and stand-up comedy. It also houses rehearsals, family shows, community events, and private social gatherings.

“All of the theaters at The Smith Center have been meticulously designed to provide optimal sightlines and refined acoustics. As a result, performers and patrons are able to truly connect with a performance.”

The Smith Center, photo courtesy of The Smith Center

RETURN TO THE SMITH CENTER

CHIC COMPASS: What new performances can your patrons be looking forward to in the coming seasons? [types of shows if specifics are unknown]

MYRON MARTIN: “The Smith Center is known for bringing the world’s most talented people to Las Vegas. That won’t change. Once we know it is safe to reopen, we will open up the booking calendar and redouble our efforts to get the most sought-after tours- all of which can’t wait to come back to Las Vegas.
“You can definitely look forward to your favorite Broadway shows such as Hamilton, Wicked, and The Book of Mormon, music concerts, and a full range of arts and entertainment options when The Smith Center reopens. This will include performances by leading artists from across the nation and around the world, as well as by our resident artists, the Las Vegas Philharmonic and Nevada Ballet Theatre.

“My instinct is that tours may start a little slow, but will gain momentum over time. The good news is that everyone who has played The Smith Center wants to come back.”

“I am especially looking forward to seeing our friends and neighbors who are part of the extraordinary local entertainment community in Las Vegas to return to The Smith Center. I can certainly tell you now that seeing our wonderful roster of local entertainers and musicians return to Myron’s Cabaret Jazz will no doubt be an emotional time for me.”

In an era of a global pandemic and COVID-19, what is happening to the Smith Center and many other non-profit organizations is or could be a tragedy unfolding. Yet, as we have witnessed here, leadership, staff, and donors are all poised to give us a hopeful ending. Cliché as it may sound, the show MUST go on. The Smith Center promises many more seasons delivering top quality and variety of performances to a community that gives back and supports the arts. Sun columnist, the late UNLV historian Hal Rothman wrote, “Once again, Las Vegas has done what the city does best: It anticipates desire where competitors only reflect it!”