The Smith Center To Present A Wide Variety Of Shows For The Holiday Season

To help community members get in the festive spirit, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts announced today it will present a variety of shows this holiday season that span a broad range of genres to entertain all audiences. These include Broadway smash "The Lion King" with eight performances during the week of Thanksgiving, DRUMLine Live Holiday Spectacular, A Well-Strung Christmas, Broadway legend Kelli O'Hara with Seth Rudetsky, Nevada Ballet Theatre's "The Nutcracker," the Las Vegas Philharmonic's "A Classic Holiday," Clint Holmes' "Holmes for the Holidays," Graham Dechter & Friends, and Frankie Moreno's "With Plenty of Mistletoe."

Tickets for all of these shows are now on sale at www.TheSmithCenter.com.

Disney's "The Lion King"

Nov. 7 - 25

Disney's "The Lion King" makes its triumphant return to Las Vegas. More than 95 million people around the world have experienced the awe-inspiring visual artistry, the unforgettable music and the uniquely theatrical storytelling of this Broadway spectacular - one of the most breathtaking and beloved productions ever to grace the stage.

Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, "The Lion King" brings together one of the most imaginative creative teams on Broadway. Tony Award-winning director Julie Taymor brings to life a story filled with hope and adventure, set against an amazing backdrop of stunning visuals. "The Lion King" also features the extraordinary work of Tony Award-winning choreographer Garth Fagan and some of Broadway's most recognizable music, crafted by Tony Award-winning artists Elton John and Tim Rice.

DRUMLine Live Holiday Spectacular

2 p.m. on Dec. 29

7 p.m. on Dec. 29

Making its anticipated return to The Smith Center, DRUMLine Live Holiday Spectacular showcases dazzling vocalists, high-octane musicians and energetic choreography, all based on the marching band tradition of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Created by the acclaimed musical team behind the hit "Drumline" films, this electrifying and festive show takes audiences on a musical journey through beloved, chart-topping holiday melodies, spanning gospel, jazz, soul, Motown rhythms and The Nutcracker Suite - all mixed with a hip-hop beat and the driving force of an HBCU marching band.

A Well-Strung Christmas, Starring Edmund Bagnell, Christopher Marchant, Daniel Shevlin and Trevor Wadleigh

7 p.m. on Dec. 6

7 p.m. on Dec. 7

Audiences can ring in the holidays with this critically acclaimed, singing string quartet as it performs traditional holiday favorites with a modern, pop twist. Featuring Edmund Bagnell and Christopher Marchant on violin, Daniel Shevlin on cello and Trevor Wadleigh on viola, this groundbreaking quartet has gained international renown for its singular style of performing universally recognized classical pieces while singing electrifying harmonies of pop music hits. This holiday show will feature the quartet performing festive favorites like "Silent Night," "Sleigh Ride," Dolly Parton's "Hard Candy Christmas" and everything in between.

The Smith Center & Mark Cortale Present Kelli O'Hara with Seth Rudetsky

7:30 p.m. on Dec. 2

Musical-theater fans will enjoy this unscripted evening of behind-the-scenes stories and powerhouse performances with Tony-winning Broadway star Kelli O'Hara, alongside Seth Rudetsky, the SiriusXM radio host and accomplished Broadway performer. This show will feature O'Hara performing famous songs from her celebrated career, including "The King and I," "Nice Work If You Can Get It," "Follies" and more. In between, Rudetsky will pose insightful and amusing questions to the stage-and-screen actress to reveal intimate stories of her career.

Nevada Ballet Theatre: "The Nutcracker"

Dec. 8 - 24

Choreographed by James Canfield, Nevada Ballet Theatre's "The Nutcracker" is a magical journey through a larger-than-life world filled with waltzing flowers, nimble fairies and moonlit snow. Glittering holiday cheer abounds as Clara and her handsome Prince travel from the warmth of her family home to a land of toy soldiers, mischievous rodents and exotic visitors from faraway lands.

Las Vegas Philharmonic: "A Classic Holiday"

2 p.m. on Dec. 1

7:30 p.m. on Dec. 1

The Las Vegas Philharmonic presents a festive musical celebration for the entire family, featuring numerous favorite holiday classics. This special evening showcases performances by the Las Vegas Master Singers, as well as acclaimed vocalists Kristen Hertzenberg and Travis Cloer, who lend their considerable talents on "Ave Maria," "White Christmas" and other melodies, in addition to narrating "'Twas the Night Before Christmas."

Graham Dechter & Friends

7 p.m. on Dec. 10

7 p.m. on Dec. 11

Audiences will enjoy celebrating the season with Graham Dechter, who at 28 years old has cemented his place among today's most celebrated contemporary jazz guitarists. Hailed as the youngest musician to ever join the prestigious Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Dechter will perform two unique shows featuring talented guest artists, whose careers include performing around the world with music legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Barbra Streisand.

Clint Holmes: "Holmes for the Holidays"

7 p.m. on Dec. 21

3 p.m. on Dec. 22

7 p.m. on Dec. 22

A Las Vegas favorite and two-time Grammy nominee, Clint Holmes will perform a variety of beloved holiday classics in this festive show, all refreshed with his signature, classic charm. Holmes has headlined across Las Vegas and the U.S., including leading venues such as Café Carlyle. Celebrated for his smooth vocals and finesse on stage, Holmes delivers masterful interpretations of cherished standards and classic popular hits.

Frankie Moreno: "With Plenty of Mistletoe"

8 p.m. on Dec. 14

3 p.m. on Dec. 15

7 p.m. on Dec. 15

3 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 16

One of Las Vegas' most celebrated headliners, Frankie Moreno has continued to sell out shows with his explosive energy, original and classic hits, and vintage, funk-infused sounds. A piano prodigy and multi-instrumentalist, Moreno has performed around the world, including in renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall.

Audiences can enjoy their favorite festive hits at Moreno's special holiday show. Incorporating his classic showmanship flare and vintage flavor, Moreno will perform a fun mix of seasonal tunes with style.

The hallmark of downtown Las Vegas' 61-acre urban development known as Symphony Park, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts is a public-private partnership that opened in March 2012. Heralded as the city's Heart of the Arts, The Smith Center is an architectural triumph and long-awaited cultural achievement that educates and entertains the citizens of Southern Nevada. The $470 million world-class performing arts center offers a blend of performances by resident companies, first-run touring attractions, lectures and internationally-acclaimed performers in music, theater and dance. The five-acre campus features four performance spaces including the 2,050-seat Reynolds Hall, the 240-seat Myron's Cabaret Jazz club, the 250-seat Troesh Studio Theater and the 1.7-acre Donald W. Reynolds Symphony Park for outdoor concerts. Additionally, the campus is home to the Discovery Children's Museum that opened in March 2013. For more information about The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, please visit www.TheSmithCenter.com. Keep up with news and events on Facebook and follow The Smith Center on Twitter and Instagram at @SmithCenterLV.