I've been excited about the Smith Center since I saw the first announcement and concept art, but I was not prepared for how beautiful this place really is.
The atmosphere is relaxed and gorgeous. I'm not sure who the architect is, but it's designed to feel like you're in a vintage theater but there's a definitive amount of modernism too. We hadn't eaten before the show, so we were directed to a lounge where you can purchase gourmet sandwiches, cheese platters and baked goods themed for the show you are about to see. The actual performing arts center where the show took place is huge and even though we had orchestra seats, it didn't seem like any seat in the place would be horrible.
We saw Wicked here and, I'll be honest, I was nervous that the touring cast would pale in comparison to the original stars (Kristin Chenowith and Idina Menzel), whose original soundtrack I have come to love. I was wrong, I'd even go so far as to say this touring cast was better and I was moved to tears during the "Defying Gravity" scene.
I have already planned the next few shows that I want to see and am so glad to finally have a place like this smack dab in Las Vegas.