For years, Las Vegas audiences complained that performing groups skipped the city during their tours, due to the competition from resident entertainment on the Strip and the lack of suitable venues.
While there’s no less competition than before, since 2012 there has been a more-than-worthy theater to host dance companies and theatrical productions: the Smith Center for the Performing Arts.
Since opening four years ago, the $470 million Smith Center has hosted shows like “Wicked” and “Book of Mormon,” groups like Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and SF Jazz Collective and speakers like Ira Glass.
In February, the downtown arts center, which includes the 2,050-seat Reynolds Hall, announced its upcoming 2016-17 Broadway Las Vegas series. The nine-show series kicks off Aug. 2 with “The Sound of Music” and includes 2015 Tony Awards Best Musical “Fun Home” (Jan. 3 to 8), “Motown the Musical” (Jan. 17 to 22) and “Phantom of the Opera” (May 31 to June 11).
The upcoming Smith Center calendar also features performances by Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth (March 25), jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval (April 22 and 23) and Nevada Ballet Theatre’s season closer “Romeo & Juliet” (May 14 and 15).
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit thesmithcenter.com.