10/26/2021
Supporting the Arts
Like many local enthusiasts of Broadway shows, Tony and Linda Bonnici once had to travel to New York whenever they wanted to see a new hit play or musical.
“Entertainment in Las Vegas was pretty much limited to the Strip before The Smith Center was built,” Tony says. “While we have always enjoyed what the Strip has to offer, there was an important cultural component that was missing in our city.”
With The Smith Center’s opening in 2012, Tony and Linda say they were delighted to finally be able to stay in their hometown and see the same kind of top-quality shows they’d traditionally seen in New York – including many new shows fresh from the Broadway stage.
“The Smith Center was a much-needed and valuable addition to our community in terms of arts and culture,” Tony says. “For us, it is such a joy to see a first-run Broadway show and walk out of the theater discussing it for the first time with our companions, just like we do in New York.”
Longtime residents of Las Vegas, Tony and Linda officially celebrated the arrival of The Smith Center by becoming donors in the venue’s first year.
“We like to invest in things that we believe make a positive contribution to our community, and The Smith Center is definitely one of those things,” Tony explains.
Cultivating Their Grandchildren’s Love for the Arts
Tony and Linda further donate to support opportunities for their grandchildren to experience the performing arts.
“There are so many benefits to exposing young children to the performing arts,” Linda says. “We want our grandchildren to grow up learning about as much as they can, beyond what’s in their own backyard in Las Vegas.”
Five years ago, they took their granddaughter to see a performance of Shen Yun, the popular show that celebrates China’s rich cultural heritage through music and dance.
“She had seen advertising for the show and decided she needed to see it,” Linda says. “We bought her a special dress to wear and she walked through The Smith Center that day feeling and looking like a princess. I’ll never forget the delight in her eyes as she sat on the edge of her seat and watched the show.”
Tony and Linda say they have also taken their granddaughter to see family-friendly shows like “The Nutcracker” and “Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas!”
“She absolutely loves going to see performances at The Smith Center,” Linda says. “They are not only entertaining, they have opened up a whole new world for her.”
A younger grandson will also soon accompany Tony and Linda to shows, now that he’s old enough.
“He knows how to behave now,” Linda quips.
Unwavering Belief in the Value of the Arts
Both Tony and Linda have enjoyed successful careers in the media industry. Tony has been with Lotus Broadcasting a total of 40 years, with 35 as vice president, while Linda worked in television sales for 38 years, until her recent retirement.
They say over the years they have often used their Broadway seats to entertain clients and other business colleagues.
“People really seem to appreciate seeing Broadway shows,” Linda says. “Plus, it’s a great way to forge relationships and build memories together.”
Looking ahead, Tony and Linda say they are committed to remaining supporters of The Smith Center over the long term, given its value to the community.
“I think the pandemic-related shutdown reminded people how much they need theater,” Tony says. “It’s more important than ever now that we continue helping to make it accessible to as many people as possible.”
Support The Smith Center
As a nonprofit, The Smith Center relies on donor support to help with the following:
- Presenting world-class performances at accessible prices
- Offering arts education experiences for over 70,000 students each year
- Maintaining The Smith Center campus
To learn more about ways to support The Smith Center, click here.