The post-performance reports from Nevada Ballet Theatre’s opening night at the Smith Center’s Reynolds Hall on Saturday night was that the program was inspired and the audience at once robust and highly energized.
In one instance, too energized.
NBT celebrated its 40th anniversary and lid-lifting production with a unique crossover step, inviting Caesars Palace headliner Matt Goss and his band to the stage for a four-song segment of original tunes titled “Four Songs.” Fleetingly, idiocy surfaced as Goss announced a new song, “Mustang,” as part of his appearance: An audience member who evidently thought he was seated on the left-field line at a 51s game shouted at Goss, “Get on with it!” -- or words to that effect.
Goss halted, then continued with the number, which is set to be included on the upcoming album he is recording with renowned producer Ron Fair (who also was onstage as music director and pianist). Goss cut short his intro to the fourth and final number in the piece, his darkly searing “Evil.”
Keep in mind, this account is coming to me second-hand, as I was not at the NBT show but instead covering the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Miguel Cotto fight at MGM Grand, the type of event where shouting whatever leaps to mind is commonplace. But those in the audience at Reynolds Hall have noted that the shout at Goss did happen, and it is so rare for someone to yell at performers during NBT performances that the company hasn’t even enacted a policy -- formal or otherwise -- addressing such an episode. The guy was not thrown out, as far as NBT Director of Public Relations Jenn Kratochwill knows, nor was there any sort of reprimand leveled.
Likely, this is an instance where NBT’s outreach program designed to draw new fans to the ballet may have been a bit too effective. Simply, you do not shout at ballet performers or their guest stars as if you are at a hockey game, world title bout or even jai-alai match. The balance of the show reportedly went off famously, with a new video clip as part of the performance, and the opening piece, George Balanchine’s “Serenade,” thrilling the audience. The show was nearly filled to the Reynolds Hall 2,050-seat capacity, with balcony seats released to accommodate the high ticket demand.
Save for one moment of lunacy, it was a great night for the NBT and Smith Center. At the end, rightfully, NBT co-founder Nancy Houssels was recognized by NBT Artistic Director James Canfield from her box in the middle of the house. Canfield says he is eager to check out other Strip and top Las Vegas artists for future onstage collaborations at NBT performances, mentioning specifically Brandon Flowers of the Killers as an ideal guest star. It’s a move to be applauded. You know, by clapping.
• One of the final showcases at the Stirling Club at Turnberry Place was a Sunday tribute to Shirley Bassey by Broadway performer Niki Scalera.
Deemed too expensive to continue full-time operations, the stately members-only club closes after Kelly Clinton’s final appearance May 18. But on Sunday, such talk was sidelined as Scalera put on a wonderful tribute to Dame Shirley for a couple dozen invited guests with “Jersey Boys” Music Director Keith Thompson accompanying on piano. Expect to see more of Scalera, who is attempting to find an inroad to more frequent performances here. She has performed on Broadway in “Tarzan” (when “Peepshow” star Josh Strickland played the lead role) and “Hairspray.”
Scalera’s next scheduled appearance is May 16 at the Composers Showcase at Cabaret Jazz at the Smith Center. She also is a featured vocalist at the Las Vegas Philharmonic’s holiday program at Reynolds Hall. As she finished a too-brief set at Stirling Club, Scalera was met with a standing ovation and a clear opportunity for an encore. “I didn’t have any other songs!” she said afterward. Being a member of the anti-encore coalition, I still say it would have been great to hear one more number out of her. She’s got the type of soaring voice that, in a small room, requires no mic. In her case, that’s a good thing.
• Brad Garrett made his way back to Vegas this weekend, in the crowd for Mayweather-Cotto and checking in on his comedy club at MGM Grand. He emceed Sunday, leading to his regular appearances tonight through May 13. But Garrett made the most of his role as host/club operator, performing a total of about 40 minutes to open the show and between the scheduled appearances by featured comic Tim O’Rourke and headliner Steve White (the night’s other comic originally on the bill, Brett Walkow, was a late scratch because he was picking up an award for a film he wrote and directed).
White finally took the stage about 90 minutes into the show, checking his watch and saying, “Man, Brad! You didn’t leave anything on the bone!” That’s the risk when you appear on the bill with the club owner.
Garrett also has announced an appearance by Jackie “The Joke Man” Martling from “The Howard Stern Show,” who is in town Nov. 14-17, with tickets on sale May 17.
• One of the great bookings ever in Vegas was Beck at Tropicana’s Tiffany Theatre in 1999. It was an out-of-left-field appearance, inspired by the funk-rocker’s affection for the throwback showroom. He’s back at a venue more in tune with his stage show, the Pearl at the Palms, on Aug. 8. Just announced today, tickets for the show start at $49 (absent fees) and go on sale at noon Friday. They're available at the Pearl box office at the Palms, by calling 944-3200 or 800-745-3000 and at the Ticketmaster website.
Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at Twitter.com/JohnnyKats. Also, follow “Kats With the Dish” at Twitter.com/KatsWithTheDish.
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