I am soooo stoked this place is here!!! I have been in town for over 25 years and it is so nice to finally have a legit grand scale performing arts center. For a time, the Aladdin was the only game in town catering to the large-scale Broadway production crowd. The Hilton used to have Starlight Express. But all that faded and we were left with world-class singing acts and Cirque shows but the Smith Center is doing a great job at bringing us a key part of culture that our city has been lacking.
The architecture of the building is gorgeous. I love the Art Deco style. Every corner has beautiful details down to the doors and the railings all the way up to the gorgeous bell tower and the stunning sculpture. I love symphony park with the pipe sculpture. We took family pictures here last year and I really loved using the architecture as a backdrop for our family.
My wife and I have season tickets to the Broadway shows in Reynolds Hall. We sit on the balcony, which is super high up. I don't mind it. But it always makes me feel nervous when I'm walking in hovering between peoples knees and what would probably be certain death if I went over the rail. Luckily my wife has never made an attempt to collect on my life insurance yet while we were going to the bar at intermission.
They bring high profile shows in like Wicked and the Book of Mormon. And the venue is really beautiful. Sometimes I find my eyes wandering from the performance to the ceiling and the wings of the theater, impressed with the grandeur of it all.
I highly recommend it the next time you want to see a show. The price is worth it. And if it's not too much of a price difference, I would definitely shoot for the lower levels. The balcony is the definition of nose bleed, but it's ok if you are on a budget.