Las Vegas Hotel hosting benefit performance of ‘Company’

What better time to stage Stephen Sondheim's "Company," than just before the man himself visits The Smith Center for the Performing Arts on July 14?

On Monday and Tuesday, RagTag Entertainment offers Sondheim's 1970 musical about a bachelor surrounded by well-meaning couples as a benefit for Golden Rainbow, the local organization devoted to assisting those with AIDS and HIV and their families.

"I feel it's a huge privilege that Sondheim's coming here," says Andrew Wright, artistic director for RagTag Entertainment, which he describes as "a vagabond troupe" with a full season of shows but no permanent home.

RagTag staged the Sondheim revue "Putting it Together" earlier this year, with "a very Vegas showroom-y atmosphere," and decided to continue that vibe, Wright says. "Company" is "a hybrid of concert and theater," putting the 22-piece orchestra onstage with the 14 performers.

That requires a big stage, so the Las Vegas Hotel (the former Las Vegas Hilton) offered its main showroom .

The musical director is Bill Fayne, known for the Las Vegas Tenors and his work with Clint Holmes. Ayler Evan of "King Arthur's Tournament" stars as Robert, the single birthday guy at the center of attention among his married friends, played by a cast of local favorites including Robin Vincent, Richel Kompst, Kelly Wright and Doug Baker.

"Everybody loves this show. We're all big fans of it and it's a great big ensemble piece," Wright says.

Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at mweatherford@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.