supporting local artist

Since I'm a lover of all art, I believe in supporting local artist.  Local artist is where it all begins.  Sometimes you will find great artist right in your own back yard. 

Friday night I got the chance to do just that by going to see the play Sound of Music at the Lerner Theater.

History of this great theater

On March 31, 1923, Harry E. Lerner, an Elkhart business man, announced that he planned to construct a modern "theatrical palace" on the corner of Franklin and Main Streets in downtown Elkhart.
The Lerner Theatre became a reality with the Grand Opening on November 24, 1924. It had 2000 seats and was host to a variety of vaudeville, big band and theatrical reviews as well as the exciting new movies!

In 1931, the Lerner was purchased by the Warner Family and was renamed "The Warner".

In 1933, the Warner Theatre went bankrupt and was leased by the Indiana-Illinois Theatre Company.
In 1934, after a countywide contest (won by Judith Grover), the theatre was renamed the ELCO. In 1940, Manta and Rose Theatre Chain purchased the theatre and operated it until 1961 when it was purchased by William Miller. Bill operated the theatre until his death in 1987.

Lerner Theatre renovation started in 2008.  Construction began in early 2009 and was competed in June 2011, drawing rave reviews and capturing national attention.  It has been described as a project that has truly put the “heart” back in downtown Elkhart.

(history and pictures provided from http://www.thelerner.com/about/history.html )

I am so grateful our town decided to save this place so we can enjoy seeing musical plays and support preforming arts.

I love them all but I'll be nice and only post these.   You don't know how much I wanted to get up and break out in song with them. 

Go see a show soon at your local theater