Myron Martin talks about homegrown production ‘IDAHO!’

The Smith Center president, Myron Martin, has made the high-roller gamble as the “angel investor” to back the show in its pre-Broadway run.

Theater owners and producers from New York’s Great White Way are flying out for Saturday’s premiere and the hope for the creators and the cast is that the unique comedy musical will find a home on Broadway. It would thus becoming the first Vegas production to travel from west to east rather than the other way around.

As we start our new relationship with the Review-Journal’s Niche Division, Myron pens the first of our three guest columns from the creators of Idaho. I will raise a glass of prosecco to the show’s success from Europe to take away some of my disappointment not being there for the big night! I sat in on rehearsals two weeks ago and it has the look and feel of “winner” stamped all over it. Without further delay here’s Myron:

— Robin Leach

THE ‘LIVING ROOM’ OF VEGAS PREPS FOR IDAHO! THE COMEDY MUSICAL

Robin Leach well remembers that long before The Smith Center for the Performing Arts opened, I had a dream that it would become what I called “the living room for Las Vegas,” a place where people from around the Valley would gather. That dream has come true.

In the first four years of operation, The Smith Center has played host to countless weddings, meetings, gatherings and events, and has hosted more than 250,000 students for daytime workshops, master classes and performances. Sadly, we also brought the community together for somber occasions like the Alyn Beck memorial service. Governor Sandoval celebrated the Sesquicentennial here with a packed house, and nearly 2 million people have attended performances by international touring artists, Broadway shows and local arts institutions.

The Center has been called one of the top 10 theaters in the world by Pollstar Magazine, and I hope that locals will agree that it provides a source of pride for our community. We are proud of what it represents, and look forward to many years of being the city’s “living room” where great memories are created.

The Heart of Education Awards event will forever be one of my favorite memories. Inspired by the Kennedy Center, we found a way to recognize some of Clark County’s finest educators. More than 2,000 teachers received nominations this year in the form of thank you letters from members of the community.

I think it is fair to say that all of these teachers felt appreciated because of these nominations. Of those nominees, 800 finalists and their guests were treated to a special performance and awards show at The Smith Center.

All of these teachers went home with a swag bag full of gifts, and 21 of them were named winners of the 2016 Heart of Education Awards (and also went home with a check for $5,000).

This program is a great example of what we can do as a community when we come together for a great cause. The Rogers Foundation provided the seed money, and many others, including Wynn Las Vegas, stepped up to provide these teachers an evening that they won’t soon forget.

The Smith Center was pleased to play a role in the creation of this great event. There are great teachers in Clark County, and we should recognize them more often. Thank you to our wonderful partners for making this event possible.

I wish that Robin was in town to witness Saturday’s opening night of IDAHO! The Comedy Musical, as it is right up his alley. I hope that everyone will join us for this show as it begins its journey toward Broadway. Yes, Las Vegas is launching a brand new show with hopes that its next stop will be New York. This is our latest test. Will it make it? Only time will tell. A theater full of enthusiastic locals will certainly help. Come join us at the theater—or shall I say the living room—for this wonderful new production. Then you can help me tell Robin what he missed.

— Myron Martin

Thank you, Myron. I will certainly be thinking of you and wishing you great success from the city of Madrid, my first stop before reaching Tuscany at the weekend. Tomorrow (Thursday) Emmy-winning set designer, Andy Walmsley, who has taken Idaho potatoes to heart for the show writes a thought-provoking, controversial guest column on the revolving state of short-lived shows on the Strip. Then Friday—just 24-hours ahead of Idaho’s world premiere—its creator, Buddy Sheffield, reflects on this dynamic city of Las Vegas that we all call home.

— Robin Leach