Ellen houses film classics, live music, comedy & more in Downtown Bozeman
A cornerstone of Bozeman culture brings the variety this month. Downtown’s Ellen Theatre is your source for some of the area’s best big screen entertainment and stage performances. The space also houses some great musical acts, both local and those coming through town. Here’s a look at what’s happening on Main.
How about a Friday night flick? Larry David (of Curb Your Enthusiasm and Seinfeld fame) stars in the off-beat, quirky comedy Whatever Works on March 15th at 7:30pm. A quantum physics genius gives up his posh upper-class existence to find the true meaning in life by renting an apartment in Chinatown. The film also stars Patricia Clarkson, Evan Rachel Wood, Ed Begley, Jr., and Michael McKean. Rated PG-13, the film runs one hour, thirty-two minutes. All seats only $6.
Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade returns to the silver screen on Saturday, March 16th at 7:30pm. The intrepid explorer Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) sets out to rescue his father (Sean Connery), a medievalist who has vanished while searching for the Holy Grail. Following clues in the old man’s notebook, Indy arrives in Venice and enlists the help of academic beauty Dr. Schneider, but they are not the only ones who are on the trail, and some sinister enemies soon emerge. Rated PG-13, the film runs two hours, eight minutes. All seats only $6.
Kicking off another Family Film Series on Saturday, March 17th is fantasy comedy Night at the Museum at 2pm. A divorced father takes a job as a night watchman at the American Museum of Natural History and soon discovers the exhibits come to life under the cover of darkness. The movie also features the talents of Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Owen Wilson, Dick van Dyke, Mickey Rooney, Paul Rudd, and Ricky Gervais. Rated PG, the film runs one hour, forty-eight minutes. All seats only $3 at the door!
The world famous Glenn Miller Orchestra is back in Bozeman on Wednesday, March 27th at 7pm. Get ready for a night of jump, jive and great music, sure to put you “In the Mood” for a good time! This 19-piece powerhouse group performs all the hits including “Little Brown Jug,” “Moonlight Serenade,” “Chattanooga Choo-Choo,” “I’ve Got a Gal in Kalamazoo,” and many more. Reserved seats are $21.25.
Following Thursday, March 28th is the Galla-Bash: A Fundraiser for KGVM. The Gallatin Valley’s new community, entirely listener-supported radio station (95.9) presents this “variety show,” intended to showcase some of the broad assortment of programming, with a focus on local content, that the station makes available. A silent auction will kick off the evening in the ballroom at 6pm, followed by a unique slate of performances at 7pm.
Entertainment will include local musicians Larry Kiff (who performs his classic country show on the station once a month), folk singer/songwriter Chris Cunningham, and country rock band Peter King and the Dead Yellers. There will also be a reading by author Al Kesselheim, a fascinating presentation on neuro-biology by Professor Emeritus John Miller, acrobatics by aerial performer Michael O’Reilly, humor by a group of local comedians, and Latin music with DJ Big Lou (who has a weekly show on KGVM called ‘Big Lou’s Latin Experience’), spinning tunes for a salsa dance demo. Roerick Sweeny will serve as emcee for the event. Tickets range $16.50–$40.50.
Funnyman Tom Papa brings the laughs on Saturday, March 30th at 8pm. A regular on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Conan, Papa has found success in film, TV, radio, podcasts, and on the live stage. He has guest starred on The Jim Gaffigan Show and Inside Amy Schumer, was featured in Chris Rock’s film Top Five, starred opposite Matt Damon in Steven Soderbergh’s The Informant, and appeared in Analyze That alongside Robert DeNiro. Tickets are $29.50.
Looking ahead, the Amazing Ben Seidman brings back-to-back performances to Bozeman on Saturday, April 6th. A special family show is set for 7pm, followed by a late night performance at 9:30pm. Seidman guest stars on the Netflix original Brainchild, produced by Pharrell. He has appeared on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, as well as two Travel Channel specials. He is the only person to be named the Resident Magician at Mandalay Bay, Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Seidman performs his one-man-show across the globe and is a favorite at venues such as Atlantis Resort and Casino (Bahamas), The Royalton Riviera (Cancún), The Venetian (Macau, China), and the World-Famous Magic Castle in Hollywood.
Seidman’s shows are jam-packed with stand-up comedy, fascinating true stories, and incredible sleight-of-hand. His energy and playfulness are contagious as they spread through the audience and he never fails to give a sensational performance. The family show includes a special youth price of only $9.50 for those 17 and under. Adult seats for both performances are $21.25.
And mark your calendars! Montana TheatreWorks will present Company, its spring musical comedy, beginning next month. Winner of six Tony Awards, performances will be held April 12th through April 21st. Stay tuned for further details.
Wine, beer, and other refreshments will be sold in the lobby one hour before all performances and screenings. Ticketing and further information about these and other upcoming events is available at www.theellentheatre.org. For additional inquiries, call (406) 585-5885 or stop into The Ellen box office. Hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 1–3pm, as well as two hours prior to any event. •