Alberta Bair Theater celebrates Silver Anniversary with Marvin Hamlisch
Published: December 13, 2011
It was a chilly evening in January 1987 when the Alberta Bair Theater opened its doors for the first time to a full house. Twenty-five years later, on Jan. 14, Montana’s largest performing arts center heats up the night with a black-tie celebration featuring Marvin Hamlisch and the Billings Symphony Orchestra.
Hamlisch is one of only two people to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award, as well as a Pulitzer Prize and a Golden Globe. He has written more than 700 songs including music for plays, television and movies.
Some of his most popular works for Broadway include “A Chorus Line,” “The Goodbye Girl” and “The Sweet Smell of Success: The Musical”; Hamlisch has also written the music for 50 movies including “The Way We Were,” “The Sting,” “Bananas,” “Ordinary People” and “Sophie’s Choice.”
Hamlisch currently holds the position of principal pops conductor for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Pasadena Symphony and Pops, Seattle Symphony and San Diego Symphony.
“It’s so exciting to bring an artist of Marvin’s caliber, experience and international acclaim to perform for our audience in Billings,” says ABT Executive Director William Wood. “The fact that Mr. Hamlisch is coming to Billings is a testament to the past 25 years of performing arts excellence presented at the ABT.”
Those 25 years began with the culmination of the efforts of a group of visionaries, along with the community, making an investment in the cultural life of Billings. Today, the theater stands as a showcase for international, national and local musicians, dancers, comedians, Broadway touring companies, The Rimrock Opera and Billings Symphony Orchestra, as well as local performing and community groups.
Each year more than 26,000 students attend matinee performances through Billings Public Schools, Laurel, Lockwood as well as educational groups from throughout eastern Montana and northern Wyoming.
Adults and students have the opportunity to participate in Master Classes presented by virtuosos. Teachers can gain continuing education credits by attending workshops and performances at the theater.
The theater is deeply invested in the community through various outreach activities, including its Access to the Arts program, which provides more than 1,200 tickets to underserved and low-income individuals each year.
Through ongoing collaborations with other organizations, ABT touches many lives with the excitement of the arts. During its 25th season the theater will collaborate on projects with the Yellowstone Art Museum, Venture Theatre, MSU-Billings, Billings Symphony Orchestra, Rimrock Opera and more.
During the past 25 years the theater also made strides to keep pace with technology and consumer trends. In the spring of 2011 ABT launched its new ticketing system that allows online ticket buyers to choose their own seats and actually see what the stage will look like from their chosen seat. Those buyers can also purchase tickets to multiple shows at once, make donations, redeem discounts with promotion codes provided by the theater, and set up personal accounts, all with the click of the mouse.
After 25 years the ABT remains as vibrant today as it was on opening night. “We are better than ever and looking forward to bringing the excitement of the performing arts to the Big Sky Country for generations to come,” says Wood.
Standard ticket prices for the 25th Anniversary Celebration with Marvin Hamlisch are $55.50 and $75.50. Founders Circle tickets, which include a Founder’s Reception at the Yellowstone Art Museum before the concert as well as the after-party at the Crowne Plaza, are $250; Silver Circle tickets are available for $150 and include the party at the Crowne. Order tickets online at http://www.albertabairtheater.org, or by phone at 406-256-6052.
