Smith Center Blog

Performances and Artists

How Vonda Shepard Became the Musical Voice of ‘Ally McBeal’

“I remember one night lugging my keyboard in the rain, into a club that held 30 people,” Shepard recalls. “Jump to a year and a half later, and I’m touring in Europe, playing a festival for 46,000 people.” Shepard says What brought on this dramatic change? The television series "Ally McBeal."

Broadway Las Vegas / Performances and Artists

The Making of Music and Lighting in Jack Thorne’s A Christmas Carol

Playwright Jack Thorne’s adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” is staged unlike any other version of this story before it. The critically acclaimed, Tony Award-winning production — originally conceived and directed by Matthew Warchus — is as beautiful and enchanting as you would expect a holiday extravaganza to be.

Performances and Artists / Broadway Las Vegas

The Magic of ‘A Christmas Carol’ Lives On

From musicals to stage plays to miniseries and films, adaptations of “A Christmas Carol” continue to be produced, performed and patronized. During Christmastime, enjoying “A Christmas Carol” remains as longstanding a tradition as decorating homes, singing carols and purchasing gifts.

Performances and Artists

The Whole Story of Beethoven’s Deafness

As the Las Vegas Philharmonic honors this classical titan by performing each of Beethoven’s nine symphonies this season, this marks an important time to remember his miraculous life.

Performances and Artists

Five Surprising Facts About Stage-And-Screen Star Bradley Whitford

The national tour for Broadway’s Tony-winning adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” — coming to The Smith Center November 23 to 28 — delivers serious star power, with stage-and-screen great Bradley Whitford starring as Ebenezer Scrooge.

Performances and Artists

Bringing Mexico to the World through Dance

“Ballet Folklórico is the best face of Mexico. It shows how rich our culture can be,” says Salvador Lopez, general director with the Mexican dance company that showcases Mexico’s history and culture through high-energy. Ballet Folklórico serves as both thrilling entertainment and a cultural ambassador of Mexico.

Performances and Artists / Broadway Las Vegas

Broadway Hit ‘A Christmas Carol’ Dazzles with Immersive Storytelling

But the new hit Broadway adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” reimagines Charles Dickens’ classic with elements people haven’t experienced before, he promises. Nominated for five Tony Awards and thrilling for all ages, the production even stars Bradley Whitford — the Emmy-winning costar of hit TV shows “West Wing” and  “The Handmaid’s Tale” — as Ebenezer Scrooge.