Sondheim’s presence at Smith Center overwhelming
From the sounds of the fans in The Smith Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday night, I think I can assume I wasn't alone in feeling overwhelmed by being in the presence of a man considered by many to be current musical theater's only genius composer/lyricist.
I can't remember a time when 82-year-old Stephen Sondheim wasn't an important part of my life. Looking at him onstage - staring at a man with normal ears and eyes and legs - I found it hard to believe that this ordinary human being was the source of so many monumental achievements. No need listing his credits here. If you know theater, you know Sondheim.
What surprised me was how receptive the audience was to the most obscure songs. (Remember when Sondheim was an acquired taste and out of the mainstream?) I had hoped University of Nevada, Las Vegas' Best of New York series (which no longer exists) would have brought us stuff like this, but it's good to know The Smith Center is poised to achieve what UNLV couldn't.
Less than a year ago, the Insurgo Theater Movement moved into the Plaza with a lot of fanfare. It was heralded as a breakthrough union between downtown and community theater. This week, Insurgo announced on its website that it was moving out. An attempt to reach founder John Beane just before press time was unsuccessful. Undoubtedly, more information will follow.
The drama onstage was upstaged by the drama offstage during Super Summer Theatre/British National Theatre of America's "Oliver!", which runs through July 28 at the Spring Mountain Ranch.
During rehearsals lead actor Troy Tinker (in the role of Fagin) was dealing with his son's illness. Doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong, but they knew it was serious, and weren't sure it was curable. Tinker had an understudy in place in case things took a turn for the worse. But most of us, I'd imagine, would wonder how he could keep his mind on the play at all. On the day of the opening, Tinker's son was diagnosed with a treatable (though still serious) disease. He went onstage for the July 11 premiere confident that his son was finally safe.
"The play actually helped me," Tinker says. "It kept my mind occupied when there was nothing I could do."
The Venetian had a press showing of "Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular" in anticipation of its September closing and I'm sorry to say I found the show in sorry shape. The acting has been so "improved" that it's lost its reality base.
Recently I discovered a surprisingly quality show at Bonnie Springs Ranch. It's called "Bonnie's Old West Musical Revue," and I wasn't prepared for the professional-level, child-friendly, dinner-option down-home fun. But then I blew it. I got the phone number wrong in my review. I will type very slowly this time: 702-318-6530. The show is scheduled through Aug. 26, but the ambitious folks there are already talking about an extension. It makes for an unusually laid-back night out.
Anthony Del Valle can be reached at vegastheaterchat@ aol.com. You can write him c/o Las Vegas Review-Journal, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125.
