The Flathead is home to plenty of chilly winter sports, ranging from ice fishing to downhill skiing. As a perfect complement to these physical activities, the valley is also home to world-class talent on the stage.
On Jan. 29-31, the Glacier Symphony and Chorale and the Alpine Theatre Project, two of the valley’s favorite acts, join forces to perform the classic production, “South Pacific.” This is the third collaboration between the GSC and ATP for the On Stage! series.
The GSC will play and sing catchy tunes written by Rogers and Hammerstein while actors Luke Walrath, Betsi Morrison, David Ackroyd and others of ATP play out the romantic storyline.
ATP, based in Whitefish, is known for its high level of talent and productions. Founded by actors Betsi Morrison (Broadway’s Sound of Music), David Ackroyd (Broadway’s Children of a Lesser God), and Luke Walrath (Broadway’s 42nd Street), the group often brings in artists from Broadway and other large theater companies to perform for the Flathead. Honorary board members include John Lithgow, Olympia Dukakis, Robert Goulet, and Henry Winkler.
For show times and ticket information, visit www.alpinetheatreproject.com or call the box office at 406-862-7469.
The GSC will also host classical saxophonist Ashu during their Feb. 20-21 performance, “Masterworks IV: Escapades and Temperaments.” The first section of the show, Escapades for Alto Sax, is described as a jazzy piece composed by the legendary John T. Williams. The second segment, Temperaments, showcases works by Danish composer Carl Nielsen.
Another powerhouse on Flathead stages is the Whitefish Theater Company. This is the 31st season for the WTC, a community-based theater company with the goal of performing the arts for the enjoyment of everyone. This season they presented eight plays with 40 performances, six concerts and two professional theater performances.
Their main winter production will be Sarah Ruhl’s “The Clean House,” a warm-hearted look at social class structure, comedy and love. It features a doctor, the doctor’s Brazilian cleaning woman who dreams of being a comedienne and the doctor’s sister, who prefers to clean the house herself.
The play will run from March 5-7 and 12-14 at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish, located at 1 Central Avenue. For more information on play times and ticket prices, visit www.whitefishtheaterco.com or call 406-862-5371.
WTC will also host three winter concerts this season, perfect for an evening of entertainment after a day trip outside. The first concert is International Guitar Night on Jan. 28. The event will host some of the most talented guitar players in the world, including Lulo Reinhardt from Germany and Israeli-born jazz and world music composer, pianist and guitarist Itamar Erez.
On Feb. 20, Rani Arbo and Daisy Mahem take the stage at the O’Shaughnessy Center to perform their catchy and fun quartet pieces. The group uses instruments such as the fiddle, guitar, stand-up bass, tin can cymbals and a cardboard box with a suitcase bass drum to create their unique and funky sound.
And finally, on March 20, Grammy-winning group The Klezmatics will perform their wild, mystical and utterly danceable songs. Visit the WTC Web site for ticket prices and show times.
Further north, the Eureka Theater hosts an Arts Alive Concert on the first Saturday of every month. January’s scheduled performance will include local band Mojo Brown. Check www.eurekatheater.org for updated schedules and times.
The area high schools also perform theater and concert productions during the winter season. For a complete programming list, visit the school Web sites.
Plenty of local bars and restaurants feature live music that changes on a weekly basis. For up-to-date information on these events, visit local chamber of commerce Web sites or www.flatheadevents.net.