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Tonight Show’s Leno opens WCU’s new arts center
By Derek Hodges
The evening began with a trumpet fanfare and ended with Jay Leno as Western Carolina University held a gala opening Saturday (Oct. 22) for its new Fine and Performing Arts Center.
It would be hard to argue that the new center isn’t a major advancement for the region.
It may not, however, be as big a step forward as Leno joked it could be.
Jay Leno, center, host of NBC’s Tonight Show since 1992, talks with Smoky Mountain High School graduates and Western Carolina University alumni Amanda Stewart, left, and A.J. Rowell before his performance at Western’s new Fine and Performing Arts Center. Leno’s appearance was part of the center’s Saturday night (Oct. 22) black-tie grand opening celebration.
“I think it will make their men stronger and their women more beautiful,” Leno said before his set as the opening act at the new center.
Leno, who headlined the event that also featured Asheville singer Kat Williams and was hosted by UNC-TV’s Shannon Vickery, performed for a bow-tied and sequined crowd at the black-tie grand opening.
“It’s an honor, obviously,” Leno said of being chosen to open the center. “I think it’ll be a lot of fun.”
The show proved entertaining for those attending. During a performance that lasted about an hour, Leno kept the audience laughing with his well-known brand of common-man humor. He joked about everything from Malibu mudslides to fickle cats, often eliciting applause at the punchline.
Since 1992 Leno has been the host of NBC’s Tonight Show, a position previously held by Johnny Carson. Leno has been called one of the nicest and hardest-working people in show business, though he chuckles at the idea. His hard work has paid off, though, as he leads in the ratings among late-night talk shows.
Despite his on-air success, Leno still tours the country with his comedy act. He also performed at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Hotel recently.
“With comedy you need to go out and try the jokes out. Plus, it’s fun,” Leno said.
The $30 million center, which is home to a 1,000 seat performance hall, classrooms, museum space, studio space and lecture halls, is a rare find in a rural area, Leno said.
“I grew up in a little town; I’m not a city person. The people downstairs are all very nice,” Leno said from his second-floor dressing room. Earlier in the evening Leno mingled with folks during a reception that preceded the show.
Before the show, Leno offered some advice to young people living in this area.
“Stay in the small town as long as you can. I see so many kids that go right to the big city and they get crushed,” Leno said. “If you like doing what you’re doing, don’t be in a hurry to get famous. If you’re any good, you’ll make it.”
Western officials held a pre-show ribbon-cutting ceremony that included comments from local dignitaries.
“This is a wonderful, wonderful evening. We’re finally going to open this Fine and Performing Arts Center,” Western Chancellor John Bardo said. “This means a great deal to this university. Dreams do come true.”
The center is important because the arts are at the core of a high-quality of education and life, Bardo said. The chancellor thanked the people of North Carolina who approved a bond referendum in 2000 for physical improvements throughout the University of North Carolina system.
“This entire building came about because of the people of North Carolina and their willingness to support their university,” Bardo said. “On behalf of all of us, I would like to thank first and foremost the people of North Carolina.”
Paul Lormand, the center’s director, said he was pleased with the event.
“I’ve heard the good, the bad and the ugly about bringing Jay Leno here. In the end, though, I think he got their attention,” Lormand said. “There’s so much competition from the bigger cities – Atlanta, Charlotte – that we needed someone who could create awareness and visibility. I think Mr. Leno did that. We think it was a success.”
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