Among Other Things: Boomers take the show on the road
The Boomers will hit the road on Nov. 30 to perform in Deer Lodge for the benefit of the historic Rialto Theatre that was destroyed by fire earlier this month.
The Boomers, of course, are the popular quartet of Neal Lewing, John Glueckert, Steve Nelson and Bob Mazurek and accompanist Trish Tavener, who played to capacity crowds at the John Dowdall Theatre in Polson earlier this fall.
For the Deer Lodge show, they've added Dennis Anderson on bass and Brian Campbell on percussion. Marty Mazurek will handle spotlights and Karen Lewing the lighting. Cheryl and Mike McReynolds of the Polson UPS Store donated the posters for the show.
A full house is expected at the Central Park Center in Deer Lodge. All proceeds will go toward the Rialto rebuilding fund.
The Lewings' connection to the Rialto goes back a few years. They founded the Old Prison Players summer theatre that initially held plays in the Old Territorial Prison, when it was converted into a museum after its penitentiary days were over. Plays were performed in the prison theatre that had been built with funds provided by Copper King William Clark. For the first 13 years and of the nearly 50 Deer Lodge shows the Lewings directed there, many were presented in the Rialto.
"The theatre community is a tight family in Montana," Karen Lewing said. "The Rialto is a Deer Lodge landmark, but it's also a Montana state treasure. Our 'Boomers' team didn't hesitate for a minute when they unanimously said they'd be there to support Deer Lodge. Hey, we're Montanans and we feel an obligation to support the town and the Rialto Theatre."
The Rialto, built in 1921, was purchased by the city of Deer Lodge in 1996 and listed on the National Historic Register in '98. Since then, more than 300 volunteers have pitched in countless hours of time and financial aide to bring the theatre back to its former glory.
Prior to the fire, school programs and concerts, talent shows, movies, and plays were the standard fare for the theatre.