Amid the comedy, there is sad song in ‘Idaho!’

It started as a song with a tragic back story. Then came a chance meeting in New York City that helped make “Idaho!” a reality.

There are few dry eyes in the audience when Aunt Pearlie, played by Broadway star Jennifer Perry, belts out “One More Sweet Tomorrow” in Act 2 of the musical that ends its run Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts.

Here’s the back story from Keith Thompson, co-composer and musical director of “Idaho!” which is being presented by The Smith Center with hopes of landing it on Broadway.

Buddy Sheffield, recruited two years ago as the writer, “had come to Las Vegas (in early 2014) so we could work on (‘One More Sweet Tomorrow’) to add it to the reading we were planning to do in New York in April,” said Thompson, who was the musical director of “Jersey Boys” at the time.

“The next week our guitar player (Jeff Ray) was hit by a train and killed. I was in the studio, here in Vegas, doing the demo for the song and realized how poignant it was under the circumstances.

“So at the next Composers Showcase that January, I presented the song and dedicated it to Jeff, then subsequently had it performed at Jeff’s memorial at Vinyl (at the Hard Rock Hotel) the next month,” an event Thompson helped produce.

In April, Myron Martin, president and CEO of The Smith Center, happened to be in New York and attended the staged reading of “Idaho!” and “got to experience the show in reading form for the first time, and the new song was in the show for the first time,” said Thompson. “We had invited more investors to see if we could get something done.”

Martin, reached by telephone on Wednesday, said, “First of all, I’ve gone to a lot of readings in New York but never jumped to my feet with applause and laughed so much.

“I loved the show and pledged to take it to the next level.”

Martin told Thompson, “We have to do this.”

Thompson remembers Martin “loved the piece but seemed particularly moved by the song, not knowing any of the connection to it being performed at Ray’s memorial.”

He added, Martin “remarked on how the song gave the show that extra dimension that really made you care about the wacky and comic characters, and how casting that role was going to be key in making the show successful.”

They found their Aunt Pearlie character in Perry, whom Martin had known through her connection with “Mamma Mia!” during its earlier run at Mandalay Bay.

“The fact she would take time off from ‘Kinky Boots’ to sing that song, that’s the greatest testament,” Martin said.

In the scene, Aunt Pearlie sings a prayer after her husband, Uncle Fate, played by Jay Rogers, lies unconscious.

The closing lyrics:

“One more sweet tomorrow

Let me see him smiling when I rise

One simple day I can borrow

One more to see the sunlight in his eyes

Won’t you let me see the sunlight in his eyes”

THE SCENE AND HEARD

The premiere of “Sharknado: The 4th Awakens” will be at the Stratosphere on July 31, followed by a “Cast Party with a Cause” from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Elation Pool. Attending will be co-stars Ian Ziering, Tara Reid and Gary Busey. The screening is invite-only but the charity event is open to the public for $15, with proceeds going to The Animal Foundation. …

I’m back from medical leave this week, back on a regular schedule. Thank you, dear readers, for your support and concern. Deeply grateful.

ON THIS DAY

July 14, 1963: Elvis Presley arrives in Las Vegas to shoot “Viva Las Vegas,” checking into the Sahara with his entourage for two weeks of filming with co-star Ann-Margret.

SIGHTINGS

On the red carpet for “Baz — Star Crossed Love” at the Palazzo Theatre on opening night Tuesday: Rumer Willis, Season 20 winner of “Dancing with the Stars”; Brian Crum of “America’s Got Talent”; Von Smith of “American Idol”; former “Baz” performer and current Broadway star Ruby Lewis; and Peter Porte, “The Young and the Restless.”… Chad Kroeger, lead singer of Nickelback, with friends and a bodyguard at Sapphire on Tuesday.

THE PUNCH LINE

“The presidential debates have been announced and, guess what, the final one is gonna take place in Las Vegas. Trump and Hillary will have a 90-minute debate and then be married by Elvis.” — Conan O’Brien

Norm Clarke can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. On Twitter: @Norm_Clarke.