The Way Way West to be performed at Myron’s at The Smith Center on June 26

The concert will benefit The Composers Showcase of Las Vegas

By Debbie Hall

Join the composers of The Way Way West as they perform the exciting original musical score of this Broadway-bound musical. It is based on five stories based on true characters colliding at the Mountain Meadows in the Utah Territory in 1857. The concert will benefit The Composers Showcase LV LTD, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides a platform for original musical creations, scholarships for young composers, and financial aid for the entertainment community of Las Vegas. The benefit performance will be held at Myron’s at The Smith Center on June 26.

Mike Eldred, photo credit Jill Bridgeman

The creative team includes Broadway veterans Dan Sharkey (Spiderman-Turn Off the Dark), Mike Eldred (“Jean Valjean" in Les Misérables, Frank Wildhorn’s Civil War), and award-winning songwriters and record producers Chris Roberts and Ross Bridgeman. Actor/director Daz Weller and some of the finest musicians will showcase this performance.

“We believe in the power of good storytelling,” said Dan. “The four of us have been telling stories and making music for over four decades, together and individually. Over the years, we have watched people weep, shout, and jump to their feet on many occasions after a play, Broadway show, symphony concert, or country music concert. It's a good thing when lives are changed, thoughts are altered, and inspiration is accomplished. Nothing matters more.”

The Way Way West features astonishing acts of pioneering courage, politics, religion, and military aggression, all fighting for the hope of the new frontier. Scored with modern Americana/Folk music, it is a testament to the ongoing, cascading effects of one man's narcissism and pain among so many people over so many miles. 

Dan Sharkey

“We were looking to present something new and different from what Broadway currently offers. With cowboy poetry and contemporary American folk music, we wanted to tell the stories of the lost and forgotten voices of the old West. We were inspired by the courage and strength of the everyday people who faced every possible hurdle in their quest for a new and better life. When we came upon the little-known story of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, we knew it was necessary to research and understand the people involved. The church's vow of silence and a century of cover-up added intrigue. As we began to dig and learn more about these unsung heroes through documents and letters from the period, it became obvious that we didn't pick the story; this story picked us. The Way Way West is different in its approach to presenting its characters with the combination of good, old-fashioned storytelling and cowboy poetry mixed with modern folk music,” added Dan.

Dan is a Broadway/country performer with five Broadway shows, four national tours, and 10 off-Broadway shows. Ross is a multi-instrumentalist pianist/singer from a multi-faceted music world of theater and music. Chris is a Broadway actor/singer and a Grammy Award-winning Nashville singer/songwriter. Mike started as a country music recording artist, performed on Broadway several times, and became a symphony and concert artist. All that together makes for a rich and diverse foundation of musicianship.

The Composers Showcase of Las Vegas's continuing success and overall contributions to the Las Vegas entertainment community are in their 20th year and approaching their 20th anniversary next spring. In addition to its regular monthly showcase at Myron's at The Smith Center, it promotes and provides a forum for composers/songwriters and their original music. They have expanded the scholarship program to include three different music departments at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (jazz, classical, and electronic music).

“We raised over $350,000 and have given grants to over 400 people from our local community who have applied. We aim to be here for this remarkable entertainment community of artists in Las Vegas. This includes a platform to showcase new music, scholarships for those young writers who are seeking to hone their craft through higher education, or financial assistance when our colleagues are struggling with paying their bills, an unexpected emergency or unusual circumstances,” said Keith Thompson, producer, host, and president of The Composers Showcase.

Tickets are $55 and can be purchased by clicking here. An RSVP-only VIP Meet the Artists reception immediately after the performance is available for an additional $30 donation to The Composers Showcase. Click here and type "RSVP" in the comments to get on the VIP list. For more information about the show, visit thewaywaywest.com.