THE ELLEN STORY
If life were a play, The Ellen had a terrific act one. This was the place to be. Friday night with your favorite sweetheart, the Saturday kiddie matinee and the Sunday family concert were staples of life at the historic landmark. However, like a tragic melodrama, there was a cruel twist in the plot and The Ellen, along with other similar theatres across the country, suffered decades of disrepair. The world of TV, DVD rentals and video downloads by-passed Bozeman's magnificent monument to a bygone era and, sadly, the spotlight slowly faded.Fortunately, our story has a happy ending. Montana TheatreWorks, a local theatre group established in 1995, recently purchased The Ellen and, after a lot of elbow grease, polish and paint, the curtain is ready to rise again. Ladies and gentlemen, the lights in the lobby are flashing, intermission is over, it's time for Act Two -- and we're saving you a seat. From the glow of the footlights in the front row to the balcony's spectacular view, you're invited to celebrate the grand re-opening of one of the most beloved buildings in all of Bozeman. Welcome back to The Ellen. When you see her again, we're sure that you'll agree, the ol' girl truly deserves a standing ovation.
