Enjoy the first performance of The Last Show at The Smith Center Oct. 26

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Ticket sales to benefit nonprofit The Composers Showcase of Las Vegas

By Debbie Hall

The Last Show, a new musical inspired by the true stories of Vegas performers, will present an exciting show featuring a script reading and original musical score as a benefit for The Composers Showcase of Las Vegas (TCS) at Myron’s at The Smith Center starting at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26.  A VIP meet-the-artists reception follows the performance. 

The Last Show pulls back the curtain on the raw and authentic lives of those who give everything to the stage.  Unlike any other city, Las Vegas demands relentless devotion, talent, and perseverance, where dazzling spectacle hides exhaustion, sacrifice, and grit.  When the lights go dark, a show family must reckon with identity, loss, and the haunting question of who they are when the stage disappears.  With biting humor and a soaring score, this musical gives the classic genre a bold Vegas twist.

Eat More Art spoke with director Eric Jordan Young (The Cocktail Cabaret, Vegas! The Show, Ragtime) about the show.

Eat More Art Vegas: You have a fantastic career spanning producer, director, choreographer, entertainer, playwright, and songwriter. What was your experience working directly with people you have performed with and are friends?

Eric Jordan Young: I enjoy working with friends and colleagues whom I’ve previously collaborated with and or performed with. There is a familiarity and a bond that cannot be denied when creating with friends. In my experience, I’ve found that the respect we have for each other as friends and colleagues supports the artistic experience and informs the craft of creation in the rehearsal room. I like to have fun and be around people who do. It makes the work easier. It’s also incredibly valuable for me to understand everyone’s individual talents and skills. It gives me more flexibility as a creative person because I know what they can contribute to the process. It's a lot of fun to create with friends.

Eat More Art Vegas: What inspired you to add directing to your skillset?

Eric Jordan Young: Collaboration inspires me. Blending and supporting creative ideas to craft a story and performance brings me joy.

Eat More Art Vegas: What can the audience expect from this show?

Eric Jordan Young: Audiences can expect a musical journey that showcases the lives and experiences of Las Vegas entertainment industry professionals and the love they have for their careers. The daily commitment artists make to their craft is immense. A career in show business can be incredibly gratifying and joyful, yet complicated and disappointing. THE LAST SHOW acknowledges the good times and the bad times, the triumphs and the obstacles. It also addresses the question many artists have encountered: ‘Why am I doing this?’ For many, it’s because there isn’t anything else they’ve ever wanted to do. You can’t quell the artist in you even when you’re presented with the last opportunity to do so. Somehow, your desire to continue, to connect, and to participate as a storyteller presents itself, and ultimately, passion prevails.

Eat More Art Vegas: This show is about a new musical inspired by the true stories of Las Vegas performers. Is your story one of them?

Eric Jordan Young: Not necessarily. I’ve had incredible experiences as an artist in Las Vegas, and I’ve overcome challenging obstacles, but this is not my story. My career has informed and supported the circumstances and stories of several characters, but only by coincidence. When my personal experience aligns with other voices in the production, it supports the commonality and worthiness of the characters’ stories.

Eat More Art Vegas: What is it like to perform on Broadway?

Eric Jordan Young: Performing on Broadway is exhilarating. I loved it so much. It’s hard work. The artistic, physical, mental, and social commitment required to accommodate expectations of excellence can be very intense, but the reward is incredibly worthy. I am so grateful to have had the experience of being in several Broadway shows. It’s a magical moment for anyone who has the opportunity.

Las Vegas is a special place with incredible performance opportunities. The talent in Las Vegas, whether it be technical, performative, or producorial, is unique and deserves recognition. Some of the most talented individuals in the world live and work in Las Vegas. I’m excited to share the voices of Vegas artists with this crafted story. At this stage in the process, we are extremely thankful to have the support. After all, it’s about the Las Vegas arts community, and we intend to make everyone in it even more proud to be a part of it. 

The stellar cast lineup includes leads Janien Valentine (God Lives In Glass, Mayfair Supper Club), Lisa Marie Smith (Mayfair Supper Club, Baz), Gret Gonzalez (Nunsense, Tony ‘N’Tina’s Wedding), Paul Bradley (Vegas! The Show, Children of Eden, Big River), Jack Saleeby (Shrek, The Wizard of Oz), and Jason Martinez (Sheena Easton, Jersey Boys).  The supporting cast is Paul Johnson (The Atomic Saloon Show, Spazmatics, Raiding the Rock Vault), Tim Tucker (Mamma Mia Las Vegas, Hair), Peng Peng Lee (Warped!, Overcompensating), and Brad Standley (Baz, Waitress National Tour).

The Last Show script was written by Michelle St. Angelo, music and lyrics by Barry Anderson (Jersey Boys, Legally Blonde), and produced by Megan and Susan Wilson of Libra Productions. Anderson will conduct his own score from the piano, joined on stage by bassist Tyler Williams (Le Reve), UNLV percussion alum and two-time Pacific-Southwest Emmy Award winner Dr. Alex Stopa on drums, and guitarist Steven Lee (Donny and Marie).

“We’re excited to present The Last Show fundraiser to support our nonprofit mission that provides a platform for presenting original musical creations, scholarships for young composers, and financial assistance for the Las Vegas entertainment community, said Keith Thompson, founder, producer, and host.   

A Nevada nonprofit 501(c)(3) since 2017, whose mission is to provide a platform for original music, scholarship, and financial assistance to the Las Vegas entertainment community. TCS serves as a forum that allows local and visiting composers, lyricists, and songwriters the opportunity to present original music to a supportive audience in an informal cabaret-style setting. TCS also encourages and nurtures young, emerging creative talent by offering scholarships to the UNLV Music Composition and Jazz Composition Departments.  

Co-founded in 2006 by Thompson (The Cocktail Cabaret, Idaho! The Comedy-Musical, Jersey Boys), he also produces and hosts each showcase. TCS encourages the development of new works and new collaborations between writers who meet at the Showcase and often begin writing together. Visit thecomposersshowcase.com to donate or for more information.

Click here to purchase tickets. An additional tax-deductible donation of $40 is requested to attend the VIP reception. RSVP by email to composersshowcaselv@gmail.com. 

Follow on Social Media:

Facebook:  @ComposersShowcaseLV @TheSmithCenter @TheLastShow:ANewMusical 

Instagram: @ComposersShowcase @lastshow @smithcenterlv