Steve Marcus
Myron Martin, president and CEO of the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, announces the Broadway shows for Season 2 during a donors reception at the Smith Center on Monday, Feb. 4, 2013.
By John Katsilometes
Tuesday, June 10, 2014 | 8:10 p.m.
Joan Marcus
The Book of Mormon
Myron Martin has been on a mission on behalf of the Smith Center for the Performing Arts. But instead of the Book of Mormon, he’s packing his Tony Award voter’s card.
And he played it expertly to land “The Book of Mormon.”
“As a Tony voter, you see every show. You get to know every producer and all of the agents who represent shows,” Martin says. “With a show like this, you raise your hand as a person who does vote on the Tony Awards and say, ‘We want to be part of the national tour.’ ”
This is not to suggest that Martin is actually sliding his resume under the doors of top producers, but serving as a Tony voter is a variation of street cred, theater-style.
Martin and his team have swayed the team behind “The Book of Mormon” to include the Smith Center on its tour of the United States. The show opened tonight and runs through July 6.
He is not always one to trumpet the fact, but Martin does indeed cast votes for the annual Tony Awards, earning that distinction three years ago. Having Smith Center’s president on the Tony voting board doubtless helps lure top productions touring the country, and “The Book of Mormon” is among the most important shows to play Reynolds Hall.
“It is like the ‘Wicked’ phenomenon, and the public and critics are responding in an incredibly positive way,” Martin says. “It has done amazing numbers on Broadway, and we have been working hard to get it. This show is so popular, every performing arts center wants it, and there are 600-something around the country. But it can’t go everywhere.”
As expected, “The Book of Mormon” is among the hottest entertainment tickets in town since that “Wicked” phenomenon blew through the Smith Center in the fall of 2012. It’s not often a venue operator can say that every seat in a performance’s run will be sold out, but …
“Every seat in every performance will be sold,” Martin says.
As has been announced, a preshow lottery will be held each night for fans who want tickets but have been shut out because of availability or cost. Twenty tickets for seats in the front row of the orchestra section will be held at a cost of $25 apiece. Fans can show up starting 2 1/2 hours before the 7:30 p.m. performance, enter their names on a slip of paper dropped into a drum, and hope for the best. Those whose names are selected will take a certificate to the box office and be issued one or two tickets.
In performances across the country, as many as 800 fans have lined up for the lottery. But as Martin understands, not everyone can win with “The Book of Mormon,” and it’s better to leave nothing to chance.
The Society Inc The Smith Center for the Performing Arts offers a blend of performances by resident companies and touring attractions. The 5-acre cultural campus features three performance spaces, which includes a main performance area with more than 2,000 seats. This downtown cultural center of Las Vegas looks to educate, entertain and excite community members.
OUR MISSION
To provide and preserve a high-quality performing arts center that is embraced by the community and recognized as a vital force by supporting artistic excellence, education and inspiration for all.
OUR GOALS
To entertain, educate, enrich and inspire the southern Nevada community.
FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES
Thanks to the generous support of our dedicated founders, members, donors and community partners, The Smith Center continues to provide a wide variety of services for Southern Nevada residents, including access to world-class performances, inspirational Education and Outreach programs for students and teachers, and a unique space to host events, meetings and special occasions. Celebrating our fifth season, we depend upon public support to fulfill our mission and serve as the Heart of the Arts for many years to come.
With ticket sales covering just 75 percent of our operating budget for each season, the remaining 25 percent comes from the community we serve. Philanthropic support at all levels helps provide programming that entertains, educates, enriches and inspires. By giving to The Smith Center, you play a vital role in providing an important resource for our community.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
There are many opportunities to volunteer and play a direct role with your community's performing arts complex. Volunteers engage with staff and patrons to enhance experiences at The Smith Center, and can serve in various capacities including tour guide/docent, usher, security team member or community ambassador. As important members of The Smith Center team, volunteers help us remain financially sustainable and provide numerous services for the community. Please show your support for The Smith Center's mission by gifting your time and unique skills.
GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
Members' annual support provides crucial resources for The Smith Center's artistic programming, education opportunities and cultural enrichment each year. There are a variety of giving options and levels, and Members receive exclusive benefits and behind-the-scenes opportunities based on their level of support. To learn more, please visit www.thesmithcenter.com/support-us/members.
The Encore Society recognizes those generous donors who have included The Smith Center as a part of their estate plan. Corporate Sponsorship is available to companies to underwrite all, or part, of a program, performance or event.
Fanfare! is The Smith Center's young progressional networking organization, open to anyone with an interest in the performing arts who is between the ages of 21-40. And our Show Dedication allows for the celebration of an individual or special occasion with unique recognition opportunities during a specific performance.
SERVICE AREA
The Smith Center provides world-class performing arts and outreach and education throughout the Southern Nevada region.
YEAR ESTABLISHED
2012.
The organization originally formed in 1996 as the Las Vegas Performing Arts Center.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Myron G. Martin President and CEO Donald D. Snyder Chairman Dr. Keith Boman Vice Chairman Mark Tratos Secretary Michael Yackira Treasurer David Dunn Alan M. Feldman Richard Haddrill Fred Hipwell Nancy Houssels Todd-Avery Lenahan Scott MacTaggart Jerry Nadal John Nelson Richard Plaster Rory Reid Kim Sinatra Roger P. Thomas 4104 Cathedral Falls Ave North Las Vegas,
NV
702-749-2000
Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at Twitter.com/JohnnyKats. Also, follow “Kats With the Dish” at Twitter.com/KatsWiththeDish.
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