Casino Star Announces Big 100th Birthday Party

In August of 1912, Sims M. Duggins, a Provo entrepreneur who had recently relocated to Gunnison to make his fortune on the coming sugar boom, prepared the ground at 78 South Main in Gunnison to build the most beautiful theater in Utah.  The same year, the State of Utah broke ground for its magnificent State Capitol Building, high above downtown Salt Lake City and the LDS Temple spires, and on Second South, the Orpheum Theatre chain began Salt Lake’s future Capitol Theatre.

The Casino Theatre, as Duggins named his new show-house, opened to a sellout crowd on January 13, 1913.  To celebrate 100 consecutive years of live and film entertainment since that happy day for Gunnison, the Casino Star Theatre Foundation will present a 100th Birthday party on Saturday, January 12, 2013, at 7:00 p.m.

The program will be emceed by one or both of our Sanpete Superstar TV personalities, Amy Nay (KUTV, Channel 2) from Gunnison and Sam Penrod (KSL-TV, Channel 5) from Manti.  Other world-class local performers scheduled to participate are the fabulous Mary Kaye Knaphus of Manti, Western Music Association’s Best Female Performer; and Heather Bosshardt of Ephraim, classical and jazz pianist, playing the theatre’s 1906 Steinway Grand, an outstanding acquisition form Dayne's Music in Midvale.

As the special historical section of the program, Gunnison Valley High School music and theater teachers Jody Allred, Matt Weidner, and Mark Lyons are preparing a medley of music and skit highlighting popular music during significant episodes of the Casino Star’s history.  Music of 1913, for example, represents the theatre's opening, while mid-1930s songs tout the era of walling off the recessed entry, adding restrooms, and changing its name to the “Star Theater.”   Later, in 1957, C.E. Anderson added the triangular marquee; in 1989, Dawn and Ernie Larson completed the National Register nomination; and in 2004, the current restoration effort began.   All these dates have their signature songs.

Suggested donations for this special event are $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for seniors and students.   Tickets are available at Gunnison Implement and Rasmussen’s Ace Hardware in Gunnison; the Sanpete Messenger Office in Manti; and Kopy Katz Printing in Ephraim.  Tickets may also be purchased on-line for an additional 50¢ convenience fee at www.casinostartheatre.com. For additional information, call Diana at 435-979-2798.

The accompanying photo was taken in late spring or early summer 1913, based on the comfortable temperatures indicated by clothing and posture.  During the summer of 1913, Duggins added the still-existing cherubs to the façade, but the columns, rosettes, lions heads, urns and winged victories did not arrive until 1915.	A newspaper photo from 1915, showing the completed Beaux Arts-style façade.
The LightsOn! celebration of November 10, 2010.  The Winged Victories above the windows are scheduled for completion in 2013.

Please like us on Facebook.com/Casino Star Theatre.  Visit our website at www.casinostartheatre.com and check out our new "donate page," assisted by the Network for Good.  End-of-year giving certainly benefits our mission, and a fully tax-deductible gift to the Casino Star Theatre Foundation will provide you a tax benefit as well.

Happy New Year to you! And a Happy Hundredth Birthday to our glorious historic theatre!