Luxe Life Blog

Myron Martin on the first 100 days of the Smith Center’s revolution

Posted July 11, 2012 • 11:43 a.m.

President Myron Martin at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts' all-star, opening-night show in Reynolds Hall on Saturday, March 10, 2012.

Photo: Erik Kabik and Cassi Thomas/ErikKabik.com

Editor’s Note: While Robin Leach takes his traditional summer vacation under the Tuscan sun in Italy, many of our Strip and Las Vegas personalities have stepped forward in his absence to pen their own words of wisdom. Our thanks to them all. The second day of guest columns continues with Flamingo headliner Donny Osmond and Myron Martin, president of the downtown Smith Center for the Performing Arts that has revolutionized the cultural, arts and entertainment scene in Las Vegas since its glamorous opening just 100 days ago.

By Myron Martin

Many thanks to my friend Robin Leach for allowing me to write this column. I know he is having a great time on vacation.

Robin has always brought the lifestyles of the rich and famous to life for people. I’m sure that when we started planning for the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, some may have thought that it was going to be only for the “rich and famous,” but today it stands as a place for everyone.

It has become the living room for Las Vegas, where people from all walks of life can spend an evening, stroll in the park and enjoy great music, theater or dance at an affordable price. So far, we have had 55 shows ranging from “The Pink Floyd Experience” to the Cleveland Orchestra, multiple programs for kids (including school-time performances), numerous weddings and various community events, drawing a very diverse crowd from across the valley.

We recently completed our first 100 days in operation, which started with a spectacular opening night that will air nationally this fall on PBS. The star-studded evening featured a host of great entertainers, including people like Neil Patrick Harris, Martina McBride, Joshua Bell, Carole King, Willie Nelson and Jennifer Hudson.

There is truly something for everyone at the Smith Center, and I am proud to say that Robin has been a frequent patron in our various venues. After attending his first show in Cabaret Jazz, he told his readers, “It was a memorable Las Vegas night -- intimate, warm and friendly. The sound was superb. ... With its subdued lighting, Cabaret Jazz is reminiscent of a New York supper club set in an Art Deco building. … I paid the premium for a front-row table, and it was worth every penny -- a very rare treat for Las Vegas.”

He said that Reynolds Hall rivals the best in the country, and, given his great taste, this says a lot. And he’s not alone in his sentiments. I’ve heard people say that Las Vegas has changed from the Entertainment Capital of the World to the Arts and Entertainment Capital of the World.

So, on behalf of Don Snyder, our chairman, and our entire board and staff, I can say that we are proud to have played a role in our city’s transformation with the help of many caring people in our valley.

Robin has always offered us champagne wishes and caviar dreams. Today, Las Vegas no longer needs to dream of being a world-class city. My wish is that everyone in our valley has the opportunity to get goose bumps the way I did when I attended my first performance at a world-class performing arts center.

See you at the Smith Center. Cheers!

Editor’s Note: Check out Vegas DeLuxe regularly for the continuing list of stars and shows performing at the Smith Center. Myron has already set K.D. Lang for this Friday, Pia Zadora from July 27-28, the Canadian Tenors on Aug. 5, Diana Krall on Aug. 13, “La Cage Aux Folles” starring George Hamilton from Aug. 14-19, Steve Martin on Aug. 22 and “Wicked” from Aug. 29 to Oct. 7.

In November, it’s “The Addams Family,” and next year’s Broadway series continues with “West Side Story,” Disney’s “Beauty & the Beast,” “Anything Goes,” Sir Elton John’s “Billy Elliot the Musical” and “Catch Me If You Can.”

Our thanks to Myron and be sure to check out our other guest column today from Donny Osmond. On Thursday, look for our Aretha Franklin and NBA Summer League guest columns.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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