We are most excited about hotel mogul Steve Wynn’s new project. It’s called ShowStoppers and it’s BIG! With a talented cast of 34 singers and dancers, backed by an on-stage, 30-piece orchestra, the 90-minute production opened in the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas in mid-December. ShowStoppers is composed of many quintessential musical theater numbers from some of the most celebrated composers and lyricists ever to grace Broadway. We can’t wait to see it!
Some of the upcoming shows at The Smith Center include An Intimate Evening with Diane Schuur in the Cabaret Jazz 1/8 & 9. Long regarded as one of contemporary jazz’s leading vocalists, Schuur is as eclectic as she is brilliant. With a distinguished career that includes two Grammy Awards, her music has explored almost every corner of the 20th century musical landscape. On 1/23 & 24, acclaimed vocalist/pianist/songwriter Tony DeSare presents Night Life, a post-modern version of the classic, elegant New York night club show of the 1950s, brought to life at Cabaret Jazz. An Evening with Burt Bacharach takes place in the Center’s Reynolds Hall 1/30. One of the world’s most acclaimed composers//arrangers/conductors, Bacharach helped define the music of the 20th and 21st centuries. For this Vegas engagement, the three-time Academy Award winner and eight-time Grammy winner will perform some of his greatest hits with his band of three singers and seven musicians. Platinum-selling, 14-year-old vocal sensation Jackie Evancho returns to the Hall 1/31, with performances from her third studio album, Awakening, and coinciding international tour. Awakening signals some new directions for the young singer. Without foregoing the beautiful and lush classical-crossover compositions for which she has become famous, she also extends her stylistic reach with contemporary material.
For a romantic holiday, join two-time Grammy Award winner Sylvia McNair at the Hall 2/14 for Pops III: A Gershwin Valentine, showcasing the timeless talent of one of the greatest American songwriters. Then, 2/15, it’s Engelbert Humperdinck on Valentine’s weekend, an appropriate time for booking the singer known as “The King of Romance.” He has been a legend in the international music industry for more than 40 years, with 150 million plus records sold, and hits such as “Quando, Quando, Quando,” “Release Me,” “The Last Waltz,” “Spanish Eyes” and many more.
Helen Reddy returns to The Orleans showroom for performances 1/24 & 25, and Bobby Caldwell, who last performed in the Rocks Lounge at the Red Rock Casino in November, is back in the city and the Santa Fe Station’s Chrome Showroom 2/13 for Valentine’s Day weekend.
Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be the entertainment fare in Reynolds Hall 1/20-25. The stars of this touring production are Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young. The twosome, both finalists on TV’s American Idol, were married in June.
The Tony Award-winning musical comedy, Nice Work If You Can Get It, plays in Reynolds Hall 2/24 – 3/1. With songs by George and Ira Gershwin, the touring company version will give eight performances in Las Vegas.
Nik Mastrangelo and the Nik at Nite Trio perform on Sunday nights at the Tuscany’s Piazza Lounge, where they pay tribute to songwriters such as Cole Porter, the Gershwins, Sammy Cahn, Burt Bacharach, Johnny Mercer, Frank Loesser, Jimmy Van Heusen and Antonio Carlos Jobim, along with entertainers, including Bobby Darin, Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett and others. You never know who might drop by to join the fun late night parties
Keith Thompson and Michael Brennan’s monthly Composers Showcase, now in its eighth year, continues to be one of our favorite musical events. The late-night show features original music written and performed by members of the local entertainment community.
Singer/songwriter, Chadwick Johnson, a relative Vegas newcomer, is making quite a name for himself here. In the approximate year that he has been living in Southern Nevada, he has performed in his own one-man shows at The Smith Center (for the Yamaha piano corporation), the Italian American Club, and also appeared at the IAC with Carmine Mandia and Mark Giovi in Three Generations of Music and Song. He’s also a regular at places like the Aria on the Strip, the popular Dispensary Lounge, the Tap House, and other local hangouts.
The above-mentioned Dispensary Lounge, located in the southeast part of the city, has become a favorite of both performers and jazz lovers. Accompanied by the Uli Geissendoerfer Trio, entertainers such as Michelle Johnson, Pascale Elia, Naomi Mauro, JoBelle Yonely, Ronnie Rose, Windy Karigianes, and other vocalists and musicians, can be seen and heard at the cozy neighborhood jazz club on most weekends.
Thanks to strong ticket sales, a second New Year’s Eve show was added for Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga at the Cosmopolitan. The twosome were competing with Michael Feinstein and guests Laura Osnes and Jessica Sanchez for the busy holiday show goers.
You don’t need snow around here to get in the holiday spirit, when you have the likes of Travis Cloer (Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys at Paris Las Vegas) and singer Kristen Hertzenberg (Christine in Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular) and pianist Philip Fortenberry (Associate Musical Director for Jersey Boys), doing their own wonderful Christmas productions at places like the busy Smith Center.
Bill Fayne started the first Las Vegas Tenors group a number of years ago. He has recently formed his latest ensemble called The Desert Tenors. Bill, along with Mark Giovi and George DeMott, take audiences on a musical journey through opera, R&B, popera, musical theater, jazz, swing and much more. The three performers have been exciting music lovers with their voices, personalities and an experience designed to please all ages. Every time you think you know what to expect, you will be surprised!
An Evening with the Next Generation—featuring Steve March Tormé, son of Mel, Lorna Luft, daughter of Judy Garland, Ricci Martin, son of Dean and Lena Prima, daughter of Louis Prima—played for one show only at the M Resort in November. The emcee/host was Anthony Lewis, son of Jerry Lewis. Executive Producer was Patty Ascher and Musical Director, conducting the 10-piece orchestra, was Grammy-winning Gary Anderson.