It’s Bernardo, Anita, Riff, Tony and Maria gone waaay west.
Looking forward to sharing the ultimate of urban movie-musicals, “West Side Story,” in an unusual location — on America’s real West side, Bozeman, Montana.
The Academy Award-winning musical will screen at the historic Ellen Theatre, a vintage vaudeville house dating to 1919. The restored theater is the architectural pride of downtown Bozeman.
It all portends to be an unusually fun community night, as George Chakiris, the movie’s Academy Award-winning star, will host the screening and engage in conversation as well as audience q&a.
arts·meme‘s Debra Levine will interview the actor.
The grand dame of Bozeman’s Main Street ports a history spanning variety shows, silent movies, school plays, town band performances and even an opera featuring a live elephant.
The Ellen enjoyed a major restoration in 2008, under the leadership of John Ludin, who manages the house and is our gracious host in Bozeman.
The George Chakiris visit is dedicated to a mutual friend, the Hollywood dance historian Larry Billman.
West Side Story, A Conversation with George Chakiris | The Ellen Theatre, Bozeman MT | April 11, 6 pm