Feature: THE COMPOSERS SHOWCASE OF LAS VEGAS Celebrates 20 Years This Month

The Composers Showcase of Las Vegas marks a major milestone this spring, celebrating 20 years of live original music with a special anniversary gala at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. The event takes place inside Reynolds Hall on April 29.

The 2½ hour musical celebration will be an extensive look at the history and tradition of The Composers Showcase, and will include two full acts of original music created, performed, and presented by some of Las Vegas’ best-established composers and performers, along with several guest artists who will come from all over the United States. Designed to guide the audience through the organization's history, the program will be hosted by co-founder, music director and producer Keith Thompson, along with a full 25-piece orchestra.

The anniversary gala will feature a dynamic lineup of celebrated artists, including Grammy nominee and Dove Award winner Crystal Lewis, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Clint Holmes, renowned pianist Philip Fortenberry, and acclaimed vocalist and lyricist Elisa Fiorillo. Also scheduled to perform are singer-songwriter Chadwick Johnson, musical comedian Dennis Blair, and Broadway veteran Mike Eldred, known for appearances in productions such as Les Misérables, The Civil War, and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Additional highlights include Emmy nominee and Billboard chart-topper Frankie Moreno, KA music director and Broadway composer Richard Oberacker, and California Music Hall of Famer Michael Peterson.

“It’s all about community. When all these different artists, colleagues, and music creators come together in one room to support each other and share their music, there is a beautiful energy that comes from that community experience. Community is an esoteric word that has a real, tangible meaning in Las Vegas, more than any other Arts Community I have experienced,” added Thompson.

Since its founding, The Composers Showcase has welcomed more than 2,000 songwriters and composers to its stage. Alumni include Oscar, Grammy, and Golden Globe-nominated songwriting duo Allan Rich and Jud Friedman, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Gina Schock of The Go-Go’s, Bill Medley and Bucky Heard of The Righteous Brothers, Broadway composers Bill Russell and Andrew Lippa, and American Idol winner Taylor Hicks.

“It is important to honor our history and our path, acknowledging the place from which we came, to the here and now.  It’s easy to look back and share memories, but we are still vital as we move forward with new initiatives and plans for what’s next. It is important to include the now and the what’s next as they are the result of what has been,” explained Thompson.

Operating as a Nevada nonprofit, The Composers Showcase serves as both an entertainment forum and creative incubator, offering local and visiting composers, lyricists, and songwriters a platform to present original work in a supportive, cabaret-style setting. The organization has become a cornerstone of the Las Vegas arts community, bringing together music, theatre, and performance while championing original voices.

In addition to providing original live music for the last 20 years, The Composers Showcase gives back and continues to make a major impact on the community. Some of the proceeds from the anniversary gala will support aspiring composers and the TCS Entertainment Community Relief Fund (TCS), which is established for members of the Nevada performing arts community struggling with the current economic impact. So far, TCS has raised over $350,000 and assisted over 600 artists, musicians, and entertainers in need of financial support.

“I feel it will be of utmost importance to create the narrative that tells our story, honors our history, and pays tribute to two of our original composers who started along this road with us on Day One, and have since left us for a heavenly assignment!  We honor them as we look back, and we look forward as we continue to celebrate our relevance in the performing arts community of Las Vegas,” said Thompson.