August 16, 2023

Alpine Theatre Project’s production of “Million Dollar Quartet”

A part of how Alpine Theatre Project made its name was bringing Broadway talent to the Flathead Valley to perform Broadway and off-broadway productions. As they've evolved over the years to focus more on youth education opportunities—and the start of the COVID pandemic—that aspect of their mission took a bit of a backseat.

Needless to say, it was such a pleasure to finally get to photograph one of those productions. This summer ATP staged Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux's musical "Million Dollar Quartet" which dramatizes the Million Dollar Quartet recording session of December 4, 1956, at Sun Records which featured Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

August 9, 2023

Alpine Theatre Project’s ATP Kids! Broadway Camp, “Larger than Life”

Once again I had the opportunity to photograph Alpine Theatre Project's summer Broadway camp. Each year ATP brings in more than ten current and former Broadway performers to work with dozens of middle and high school-aged children from around the Flathead Valley. They work together during an intensive two-plus weeks crafting a show featuring Broadway hits from past and present.

February 24, 2023

Alpine Theatre Project’s “In the Mood”

This Valentine's week Alpine Theatre Project produced another two-night run of big band music featuring some of the most beloved songs from the American songbook, and some Bjork and a big band arrangement of Brittney Spears. Because why not?

The evening starred ATP's own Luke Walrath along with Tracy McDowell, Eric Krop, N'Kenge, and Dewitt Fleming Jr. along with an all-star backing band.

August 5, 2021

ATP Kids “Disney’s Descendants: The Musical”

I consider myself very fortunate to have crossed paths with Betsi and Luke at Alpine Theatre Project thanks to our kids sharing a first-grade classroom. Though I suppose we live in a small town, we most likely would've crossed paths one way or another. Twice a year they do kids productions that are open to children from all over the Flathead Valley, no kid is turned away, and everyone gets a part. This results in two casts rehearsing intensely for four to six weeks culminating in multiple performances of a 60 to 90-minute show. As you can imagine it can be a bit like herding cats, and honestly, I don't know how they all do it, but the final performances never fail to blow me away. Even when I've been present at a high percentage of the rehearsals. "Descendants: The Musical" was no exception, despite an extremely physical show with lots of complex choreography. I suppose what I'm trying to say is, if you ever have an opportunity to attend an ATP Kids performance you should absolutely take advantage of it.

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Matt Wetzler is an editorial, motorsport, portrait, and destination wedding photographer based in Whitefish, Montana.

Copyright ©Matthew Wetzler 2008–2024