The most fascinating production playing The Smith Center this year isn’t even part of the season subscription.
This is for the best.
“Oh, Mary!” is the excessively farcical, fictional production. The one-act play is inspired by the storied First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln and co-stars “Mary’s Husband.” The dark comedy moves into Reynolds Hall from Oct. 6-11. (Tickets start at $67.95; go to TheSmithCenter.com for intel.)
Smith Center President Myron Martin booked “Oh, Mary!” as a stand-alone “special presentation,” largely for its raunchy content. Only “La Cage Aux Folles” with George Hamilton and the Green Day rock musical “American Idiot” have been offered outside subscriptions in The Smith Center’s 14-plus-year history.
“Book of Mormon” would qualify as a show to keep off that list. But Smith Center subscribers were well aware of the musical’s content by the time the show went on tour, and expected it to be in the Reynolds Hall subscription package.
The “Oh, Mary!” script is written by renowned playwright and actor Cole Escola (who originated the title role). The show depicts Mary Todd as a drunk who yearns to be a cabaret star. The husband would rather have her in “legitimate” theater (his affection for such would contribute to his early demise).
The dialogue is peppered with sexual innuendos, adult language and blue humor. The show is also a Tony Award winner, and a hit on the West End, Broadway and on tour.
“We said to our subscribers, ‘This might not be for everyone,’” Martin says. “We don’t recommend it for kids, and then gave them a little note or two about what it is, while simultaneously saying that it’s the hottest play on Broadway in decades and has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and won a couple of Tony Awards.”
For Escola as best actor, and Sam Pinkleton as best director of a play, specifically.
Martin, a Tony Award voter, sees everything on Broadway. He has seen “Oh, Mary!” five times.
“I probably laughed harder each time I saw it,” Martin says. “It’s just super well-written and perfectly directed.”
The Smith Center is on board as co-producer of the Reynolds Hall run, along with Kevin McCollum, Lucas McMahon, Mike Lavoie and Carlee Briglia.
Drag fans will recognize the “Oh, Mary!” lead, “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars” winner Alaska, whose full stage name is not fit for mass consumption (or Smith Center marketing material). Alaska is headlining House of Blues next May, after the “Oh, Mary!” tour closes.
John-Andrew Morrison has stepped in for J. Harrison Ghee as Mary’s Husband as Ghee has taken leave for health reasons. Morrison played the role on Broadway to widespread critical acclaim.
The play has drawn a mass of positive reviews. The New York Times made it a “Critic’s Pick.” Martin points to an unlikely supporter, The Wall Street Journal, which dubbed the play “howlingly funny” and a “bona fide phenomenon.”
“You just come back to, it’s the story of Mary Todd Lincoln and her husband that has no basis in reality or history,” Martin says. “But somehow, it works. It’s certainly unique.” You just have to be ready for it.
Sinatra revisited
On the topic of the arts in Symphony Park …
The 60th anniversary of the landmark “Sinatra at the Sands” album is being honored at Vic’s Las Vegas at 8 p.m. Nov. 5. This is a revival of the terrific 1966 recording of Sinatra laying it down with Count Basie & His Orchestra, conducted by a young Quincy Jones.
Matt Forbes and Dave Damiani front a 17-piece band, with highlights to stream on SiriusXM’s Siriusly Sinatra (Channel 70) and available on-demand on SiriusXM.
You’ll need to catch the show there, as the live show has sold out. Frank’s daughter Tina Sinatra has reserved a few tables, and the Sinatra family has loaned the rare original charts to the performance. “Sinatra at the Sands” is a personal favorite among live albums (a list that includes the Talking Heads’ “Stop Making Sense” and Rush’s “Exit Stage Left”).
The show is set just after the release of the “Sinatra at the Sands” 60th anniversary five-CD box set, which is due Oct. 23. For a peek into Las Vegas at the peak of the Rat Pack era, give a listen to Old Blue Eyes, captured live.
‘Fantasy’ at 27
Las Vegas’ longest-running adult review, “Fantasy,” at the Luxor, is celebrating its 27th anniversary on Oct. 14. Producer Anita Mann has run the show to this level because she is continually updating the production, and the “Fantasy” brand.
Mann is an Emmy Award-winning producer, director and choreographer whose career includes dancing in Elvis movies and directing the “Solid Gold” dancers for five seasons.
A new number coinciding with the anniversary has been developed, set to Leon Else’s “Black Car.” Former cast member and current Voltaire at The Venetian resident director Yesi Burgess has choreographed that scene. And the “Suavemente” number features a first for the show — fire eating. Cast member Talia Rose brings that effect to a number that is already a crowd favorite.
The show’s annual calendar, titled “Lights, Camera … FANTASY,” is a nod to Las Vegas’s showgirl legacy. A portion of the proceeds from the calendar’s sales will benefit the Nevada State Museum, following “Fantasy’s” donation of original costumes from the production’s 1999 debut.
This was all part of National Showgirl Day celebration on May 24. It was the second national day honoring the showgirl, an effort Mann herself spearheaded. She says of her enduring stage show: “Like Las Vegas, we continue to evolve.”
Cool Hang Alert
Y.L. Douglas, well-known as Barry Manilow’s drummer, brings his trio to Maxan Jazz from 7-10 p.m. Monday. Douglas is a fantastic player and busy musician around town. Same for his bandmates Dave Siegel (piano) and Sam Kurzontkowski (bass). No cover but $25 food-and-beverage minimum per
person on Mondays at Maxan Jazz. Go to maxanjazz.com to reserve, which we advise.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.