Utah Heritage Foundation

Look for plenty of action at the historic Casino Star Theatre in Gunnison this spring.  With outstanding audiences for previous concerts this season, the Casino Star is preparing for its second not-quite-annual (because of the gasoline leak) World-Class Local Talent event on March 11.  Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. at 78 South Main, Gunnison, and the concert is billed as a benefit fundraiser.

Performers who currently live in South Sanpete or whose roots are here, and who have garnered acclaim or awards from outside the area, will offer their talents to benefit the restoration and ongoing programming at the Theatre.  Among these performers are Cantus, Gunnison High School’s perennially award-winning girls’ chorus; Tim Christenson, noted local classical guitarist; and Mary Kaye, outstanding singer/song-writer from Manti.  Watch for future updates.

Tickets for the fundraiser will be available at Rasmussen’s Ace Hardware in Gunnison, the Sanpete Messenger Office in Manti, and Kopy Kat Printers in Ephraim.  Suggested donations are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students.  All proceeds are dedicated to restoration of the façade and future programming.

 At the same time, plans are afoot to re-stucco the 98-year-old, much patched and repaired façade with authentically historic stucco and carefully reconstructed decorative items, such as rosettes and window frames.  Utah’s finest historic restoration craftspeople will be providing the expertise to restore this “hometown national treasure” to it’s original splendor.

 If you want “before” photos, now is the time to get them, because we are soon to see only the “after” appearance.  And please be as generous as you can to support the Casino Star Theatre’s concerts and ongoing restoration efforts.  We’ve come a long way, but we’re not there yet.

Written by Diana Major Spencer.