Happy Friday, Beacon readers! Lauren Frick here, and in case you forgot, one of the several hats I wear here at the Beacon is being the arts and entertainment reporter — although it’s probably hard to forget after my roughly 200-word monologue about how much I love concerts in the newsletter two weeks ago. While I unfortunately don’t have any news on the music front in this Roundup, fans of theater and visual arts will be pleased. Here’s a look at some events to scratch your arts and entertainment itch this weekend:
The Whitefish Theatre Company (WTC) this weekend will conclude its production of the Neil Simon mismatched roommate comedy “The Odd Couple.” The final shows will be tonight (2/27) and tomorrow (2/28), with a showtime of 7:30 p.m.
The Tony award-winning comedy opens as a group of “the guys” assembles for cards in the messy apartment of divorced Oscar Madison. Late to arrive is depressed and neurotic Felix Unger, who has just been separated from his wife. The two suddenly single pals — Oscar, a sloppy sportswriter, and Felix, a fastidious news writer — ultimately decide to room together, navigating their friendship and differences in a small New York City apartment.
“Neil Simon gave us a good one with this show.” director Kim Krueger said in a press release. “The 1950’s was the era of the ‘ideal’ American Dream with a breadwinning father, stay-at-home mother, nuclear family and suburban hope.
“The 1970’s was post-Vietnam war, women were continuing to enter the work force, divorce becoming increasingly common and free-range children. Slap in the middle was 1965 when this play takes place; what a great era for a comedy about male friendship.”
Starring in WTC’s production is Malcolm Sharbutt as Oscar, Jesse Nelson as Felix, Matt Strool as Speed, Wes Hart as Murray, Andy Kriss as Roy, Tony Nelson as Vinnie, Laura Abernethy as Gwendolyn, and Alex Lamers as Cecily.
Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $10 for students and can be purchased at www.whitefishtheatreco.org, at the box office at 1 Central Ave. in Whitefish, or by calling 862-5371. Box office hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before a performance.
There are also several opportunities across the valley this weekend to support some of its youngest entertainers.
Columbia Falls High School students last night opened their production of “High School Musical.” Performances will continue tonight at 7 p.m. and tomorrow at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Pre-sale tickets can be bought online for $6 or community members can pay at the door: $10 adults and $6 students, seniors and veterans.
“Our students have been working incredibly hard both onstage and behind the scenes, and this production has been a wonderful showcase of their creativity, teamwork and dedication,” director Benjamin Woody said.
The Flathead High School Theater Department will also be featuring a production, presenting “The Play That Goes Wrong.” The fast-paced comedy follows an unlucky theater group attempting to perform a serious murder mystery — with disastrous results.
The show will run through Saturday with showtimes starting at 6:27 p.m. in the David M. Hashley Blackbox Theatre. Tickets are $6 for students, children, and senior citizens and $8 for adults. Tickets are available on GoFan, at Flathead High School Main Office, Photo/Video Plus or at the door.
And for those in the valley looking to support our up-and-coming artists, the Glacier Art Museum in Kalispell opened its “New Artists 2026: High School Student Art Exhibition” today.
The exhibition features 2-D and 3-D works of a variety of media by ninth through 12th grade artists selected by art teachers from Bigfork, Columbia Falls, Kalispell, Whitefish and surrounding areas, as well as homeschool submissions. These featured works represent the best of the best from their respective schools. Visitors can also vote in person at the museum for the People’s Choice Award through Saturday, March 14, with winners being announced the following week. Winners receive a cash prize as well as a one-year family membership to the museum.
Well now there’s definitely no excuse to not have plans this weekend. But before you get to figuring out your busy schedule, here’s the rest of today’s Daily Roundup.
Daniel Lombardi’s first photography show explores a future without birds through the spiritual, science-fiction lens of his cyan images of the cautious, regimented process of bird banding
FVCC Faculty, Staff Raise Concerns About Compensation, Campus Culture
In letters submitted to the board, faculty and staff members called for transparency when it comes to administrative pay and promised to document any indicators of a hostile work environment on FVCC’s campus
A Guide to Getting Involved with Children’s Theater in the Flathead Valley
Local theater companies encourage children to join the action, saying that acting and performing can teach valuable skills that have benefits far beyond the stage
A five-time Grammy nominee and one of the most successful instrumental artists of the past several decades, guitarist Ottmar Liebert has released more than 30 albums and performed over 2,000 concerts worldwide. Known for acclaimed albums like “La Semana” and “Winter Rose,” Liebert has crafted a globally celebrated style blending Spanish, Mexican and World music influences. His sound is rich with strong melodies, a touch of melancholy and vibrant, rhythmic energy.
Devon Allman’s Blues Summit is a gathering of blues legends that include Jimmy Hall, Larry McCray and vocalist Laka Soul that promises to electrify the stage, delivering a high-energy celebration of classic and contemporary blues. A torchbearer of American roots music, Allman is known for his searing guitar work, soulful vocals and deep respect for blues traditions, infused with modern rock edge.
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