Emmy-award-winning and Grammy-nominated Utah based composer and performer, Kurt Bestor, returns to Gunnison’s historic Casino Star Theatre with his annual Christmas concert Return to the Magic on Thursday, Dec. 8 at 4 and 7:30 p.m.

This year marks Bestor’s 35th year of Christmas concerts in the beehive state and his 3rd Yuletide show performed in Gunnison. Bestor is best known for his annual holiday shows as well as his popular song of peace “Prayer of the Children” which is still sung by choirs and soloists throughout the world including the popular recording by American Idol finalist David Archuleta and the iconic rock group Three Dog Night.

Utah’s “Mr. Christmas” is a graduate of Orem High School and launched his career writing music for television and movies beginning in the 1980s. “I knew that’s what I wanted to do when I saw “Jaws” during high school”, says Bestor. “I made it a goal to score films from that moment.” His credits include more than 40 feature film scores, more than 40 themes for national TV programs, and numerous commercial underscores.

Bestor will perform traditional holiday carols and Christmas favorites but with his own original arrangements on a variety of musical instruments featuring the Casino Star Theatre’s own 1908 Steinway grand piano. As noted by Carma Wadley of the Deseret News, “In true Kurt Bestor fashion, from the first echoing Glorias of the Millennium Choir to the last haunting strains of “Prayer of the Children,” it is an evening filled with good will, magic and the joy of the season.”

Tickets for this traditional holiday favorite are still available for reserved seating and range in price from $30-$45 for the 4 pm show and $40-$55 for the 7:30 p.m. show.

Tickets are available in advance via www.casinostartheatre.com and the Casino Star Theatre’s Box Office daily from 6:30-9 p.m. For more information call Lori (435) 979-9235.

Since opening its doors in 1913, The Casino Star Theatre (CST) has provided both cinematic and live entertainment to citizens of Gunnison Valley and its surrounding cities. CST continues the tradition of being a cultural center today as a non-profit organization dedicated to both the restoration of the historic building and its mission of bringing high quality arts and entertainment options to the local area. The CST Live Performance Season is supported in part by local sponsorship partners ACT Aerospace, GTELCO Lightburst Broadband, Gunnison Valley Hospital and Gunnison Implement Company. The next show in the performance season will be the Inouye Six Hands Christmas Concert on Dec. 11.

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