The historic Casino Star Theatre in Gunnison will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a special benefit concert on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 7 PM, featuring the locally renowned piano trio Inouye Six Hands. This concert kicks off the Casino Star Theatre Foundation’s 20th live performance season, commemorating two decades of cultural contributions to Central Utah.
Founded on October 18, 2004, The Casino Star Theatre Foundation embarked on a mission to restore and revitalize the century-old theatre as a vibrant cultural hub for Gunnison. Just weeks after its founding, the foundation acquired the Star Theatre and renamed it “Casino Star” to honor its rich legacy. Since then, it has undergone significant upgrades, including a new marquee, state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, renovated restrooms and concessions areas, and a fully restored auditorium—all while preserving its historical charm.
In addition to restoring the theatre, the Casino Star Theatre Foundation has made a lasting impact on Gunnison’s public art scene, supporting projects that enhance the town’s artistic landscape. Notable contributions include the vibrant Sanpitch Dragon, a 218-foot mosaic along the riverwalk, two sea-themed murals at the Gunnison Valley Swimming Pool, and the Legacy Wall in the downtown square, all of which enrich the community’s artistic atmosphere.
The Inouye sisters—Mika, Sarah, and Seidi—return to their hometown for their first performance at the Casino Star Theatre since a sold-out show in 2022. Known for their dynamic six-hand piano performances, the trio has earned acclaim across the Intermountain West, including appearances at Temple Square in Salt Lake City and the Durango Chamber Music Festival.
Joining them for this special event is concert pianist and composer Juliet Gamero Preston, whose performances with the Missoula Symphony Orchestra and Great Falls Symphony have been widely praised. Preston will debut a newly arranged eight-hand piano rendition of “Don’t Bring Me Down” by Electric Light Orchestra, crafted specifically for this concert.
The Inouye sisters’ musical roots run deep in Sanpete County, where they studied piano, strings, and dance with local teachers. Each sister holds advanced degrees in piano performance and pedagogy, and in 2020, they received a grant from the Music Teachers National Association to advance their research and performances. Their concerts frequently spotlight contemporary works by living composers, adding a modern touch to the classical music scene.
Dedicated to both performance and education, the Inouye sisters conduct workshops across the country, offering training in music, movement, and social justice. Their return to the Casino Star Theatre symbolizes their commitment to giving back to the community that nurtured their artistic development.
Proceeds from the benefit concert will support the Casino Star Theatre Foundation’s ongoing efforts to preserve the theatre and continue offering diverse cultural experiences to the region. Admission is by donation at the door, with a suggested contribution of $20 per person or $50 per family. Attendees can expect an unforgettable evening of music, featuring the Inouye sisters’ unique blend of classical and contemporary works, alongside the premiere of Juliet Gamero Preston’s new arrangement.
Following the benefit concert, the season will continue with popular favorites, including the western music group Bar D Wranglers on November 7 and renowned composer Kurt Bestor on December 17. Reserved seating for these shows are available now at casinostartheatre.com.
Since its establishment in 1913, the Casino Star Theatre has been a cornerstone of entertainment in the Gunnison Valley and its neighboring cities. Bridging cinematic and live performances, it has evolved into a revered cultural hub. As a non-profit organization, the Casino Star Theatre Foundation is dedicated to preserving the building’s historical significance while enriching the local community with top-tier arts and entertainment.
The concert will showcase the Casino Star Theatre’s treasured 1908 Steinway grand piano, which enhances the musical experience and symbolizes the venue’s rich musical legacy. The success of the Casino Star Theatre Live Performance Season is supported by generous local partners, including Roland and Julia Christensen, Robert and Jeanette Andersen, Richard B. Nay, M.D., and Jim and Suzanne Sanders. This season’s program is also supported in part by Creative West and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Inouye Six Hands Bio:
Inouye Six Hands began its musical journey in Gunnison Valley, Sanpete County, Utah, where sisters Mika, Sarah, and Seidi Inouye studied piano, strings, and dance with local teachers. All three went on to earn Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in piano performance and pedagogy. They made their debut performance at the 2021 Durango Chamber Music Festival. This concert was part of their ongoing project to research, perform, and teach the unique genre of six hand repertoire to students and teachers, for which they were awarded an Music Teachers National Association grant in 2020. Their performances span the Intermountain West and include recitals at the Assembly Hall at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, Southwest Arts Recitals Series in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and 3rd Ave Arts Recital Series in Durango, Colorado. They promote diverse works by living teacher-composers, with each of their programs proudly showcasing a new composition or arrangement by contemporary composers. Their vision for education extends beyond studio teaching into the public schools with their in-person and online workshops in music, movement and social justice to teachers all over the country.
In their individual ways, the Inouye sisters have pursued careers as performing artists and educators. Mika Inouye lives in Durango, Colorado where she dances with 20MOONS Contemporary Dance Theater, serves as artistic director of Piano Academy at Fort Lewis College, and trains music and movement teachers in Los Angeles County, California during the summers. Sarah Inouye Mano is a nationally certified piano and early childhood music teacher in Orem, Utah and serves on the board of the Utah State Orff Chapter, organizing and presenting teacher workshops in music and movement education across Utah. Seidi Inouye Bennett resides in Springville, Utah with her husband and six children. She has soloed with the Utah Symphony, toured as a singer and dancer with BYU Young Ambassadors, and continues to perform and accompany various projects.
Juliet Gamero Preston is a native of California with European and Peruvian heritage. She is a concert pianist and composer who has performed in Utah, Texas, and Montana as a soloist and as a collaborative pianist with the Missoula Symphony Orchestra, Great Falls Symphony, and Timpanogos Chamber Music. She has played for theaters such as Pioneer Memorial Theater as well as local jazz and rock bands. With her husband, she writes and records original music for their band memoryfield which can be heard on YouTube and all streaming platforms, and her album of classical Christmas arrangements “Christmas Joy” is available on Spotify. Ms. Preston has composed sacred choral music as well as piano pieces for the Inouye Sisters Six Hands.
Ms. Preston holds degrees in Piano Performance from the University of Utah and the University of Texas at Austin. She teaches piano for Utah Valley University and maintains a large roster of private piano students. She enjoys hiking in the Utah mountains with her four children and the dog. The cat refuses.
On Saturday October 12 at 7 pm, Inouye Six Hands together with Preston will perform at the Casino Star Theatre as an offering to their beloved hometown of Gunnison. They will premiere Preston’s first prepared piano arrangement for eight hands, “Don’t Bring Me Down” by Electric Light Orchestra. Admission is by donation.
Timeline of Casino Star Theatre’s Renovation and Key Milestones
- October 18, 2004 – The Casino Star Theatre Foundation was established by Lori Nay and Diana Spencer, with the mission of restoring the theatre and reintroducing it as a cultural center for the community.
- November 1, 2004 – The Foundation purchased the Star Theatre and renamed it the “Casino Star” to honor its full history. The marquee read: “NEW OWNERSHIP THE INCREDIBLES PG.”
- November 15, 2004 – The theatre held its grand reopening with the showing of Christmas with the Kranks. Initial cosmetic repairs were made, including carpet replacement and plumbing upgrades.
- 2005-2006 – The Foundation received its 501(c)3 status. A historic architect developed plans for a more extensive renovation, and efforts to raise funds for the project began. The first annual concert season was also launched in 2005.
- 2007 – The theatre temporarily closed due to toxic fumes from a nearby fuel leak, which opened the door for major renovations. Three-phase power was installed, outdated knob-and-tube electrical wiring was replaced, a large positive pressure HVAC unit was added, and the auditorium ceiling, walls, and chandeliers were refurbished and repainted. Fabric was also applied to the walls for acoustic improvements.
- 2007 – The first public art installation, the Sanpitch Dragon, a 218-foot mosaic, was completed under Highway 89 along the riverwalk in Gunnison.
- 2008 – The 1936 marquee was removed, and façade rehabilitation began with structural repairs, paint removal, and roof replacement.
- 2009-2010 – Stucco work on the façade was completed, historic upper pocket windows were replaced, and the façade was illuminated once again with 219 lights.
- 2010 – The second public art installation, Under the Sea, was completed at the Gunnison City Swimming Pool, with local youth and adults painting sea creatures under the direction of Utah artist Julie Rogers.
- 2011 – Painting of the theatre’s façade was completed.
- 2013 – The Winged Victories statues, designed by sculptor Brad Taggart in 2012, were installed on the theatre’s exterior.
- November 12, 2013 – The Clock Tower, a separate project sponsored by the Foundation, was lifted into place at the corner of Main and Center in Gunnison, following a successful fundraising campaign.
- 2014 – The theatre upgraded its sound system and installed a digital projector.
- 2015 – The concession area was remodeled to enhance the audience experience.
- February 2016 – A new marquee was installed, restoring a historical feature of the theatre.
- 2017 – The third public art installation, The Legacy Wall, was completed in Legacy Plaza at the corner of Main and Center in Gunnison.
- 2018 – Stage lighting upgrades were made to improve the quality of performances.
- 2019 – The auditorium renovation was completed, including the restoration of the original wood floors, new carpet, and updated seating.
- 2021 – The entryway was renovated with new doors, and the original ticket booth was refurbished.
- 2023 – The former barber shop was converted into ADA-compliant bathrooms for theatre audiences. The fourth public art installation, a sea-themed mural featuring various ocean creatures, was completed at the Gunnison Valley Swimming Pool.
- 2024 – The Casino Star Theatre Foundation celebrates its 20th anniversary.
