The holiday season has ended, bringing the post-holiday doldrums. Though the shortest day too has passed, the days remain short and dark. There are no more parties and gatherings to fill your evenings with laughter. The Vigilante Theatre Company can fill the silence of the quiet nights with laughter and merriment once again.

The Vigilante Theater Company will be performing History Mystery Train: On the Edge January 14th & 15th at The Ellen Theater, in Downtown Bozeman. The mission statement of the Ellen Theater is, “Celebrating the Arts in the Heart of Downtown Bozeman.” The Vigilante Theater Company has been celebrating the arts in Bozeman for over thirty years and is known for their exciting, fun, creative original theater.

“The Vigilante Theatre is on the rails again with “History Mystery Train 2: On the Edge.” Our familiar friends Conductor Goldie Buttons, Sal the Engineer and Cal the Brakeman are embroiled in a new adventure and it could mean the destruction of the entire train.

This episode’s passengers include a Russian Countess and her entourage, who are collectors of artifacts. You may also meet a mad scientist, a man who sells unique historical items, Lizze Broden’s Maid and someone who talks backwards. What will happen to our valuable cargo? Were the train tracks sabotaged… and why?! Buy a ticket for this laugh and adventure-filled ride and find out. “

Veteran members of the Vigilante Theatre Rhonda Smith, John Hosking, and Thomas Q. Morris return to the stage to tickle you with twists and turns and tunes.

The mission of the Vigilante Theatre Company is to stimulate and promote interest in theatre and to bring theatre to areas of the West, which lack opportunities to enjoy live theatre. Though Bozeman is not lacking in opportunities to see live theater in the same way it was when the Company got its start in the area, their unique style has become a Bozeman tradition. You do not want to miss the return of the History Mystery Train, even if you missed the first one.

Seeing a need for a kind of theatre that spoke directly to the people of the Northwest, the Vigilante Players, Inc. was founded by John Hosking and Rhonda Smith at Western College in Dillon, MT in 1981. At the invitation of the Department of Media and Theatre Arts at Montana State University, The Vigilante Players came to Bozeman in 1983.

Though the Conductor, Engineer, and Brakeman will be familiar characters to some viewers, the new cast of passengers and their adventures aboard the train will be all new. The audience is encouraged to join in, making each showing a new experience, even for the actors. The ride on the History Mystery Train will be an adventure you won’t soon forget. It will warm your heart as you laugh and sing along. The memory will last, keeping your heart light and full of laughter as the winter stretches out ahead of us.

See you on the train, also known as the beautiful, historic Ellen Theater. If you have not had the opportunity to visit the Ellen Theater since the renovations, this is the perfect opportunity to experience the new lobby configuration, remodeled restrooms, and refurbished ballroom. There are also many improvements a theater go-er may not see, but can certainly appreciate, including new plumbing, heating, air conditioning, insulation and renovated stage dressing rooms. More work needs to be done to complete the project, including raising money for a new sound system and box office. If you can, please mail your tax-deductible contributions to: The Ellen Theatre, PO Box 28, Bozeman, 59771-0028 or donate on the website http://www.theellentheatre.com/renovation.html by clicking the donate button. If a monetary donation is not in your budget right now, coming to see a show at the theater also helps contribute to the building and renovation cause.
More information about the Ellen Theater and coming shows can also be found at http://www.theellentheatre.com
The Vigilante Theater Company can be found online at http://www.vigilantetheatrecompany.com/ On Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/vigilantetc And Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/vigilantetc
To book the Vigilante Theater Company for your event, fill out the form at http://www.vigilantetheatrecompany.com/book-us/booking-form/

The Vigilante Theatre Company is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported by presenter fees, private donations, and funding from the Montana Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, Montana Cultural Trust, Montana Shares, The Mericos Foundation and the Sweet Pea Festival of the Arts.