BECKLEY, WV (WOAY ) – Theatre West Virginia will be returning to the stage for its 60th anniversary.
The coronavirus pandemic has put the future of many theaters in peril and has left many performers without jobs. Now for the first time since the pandemic has started, Theatre WV will perform September 24th-27th at the Raleigh Playhouse in Beckley.
“Out of the 60 years that Theatre West Virginia has been in business this has to be the strangest year,” said Theatre West Virginia General Manager Scott Hill.
As shows return, more guidelines are being put into place, not just in the audience, but also on stage.
“We thought that we’d be able to social distance at the park, but then we had to social distance on stage, but you really can’t represent Hatfield and McCoy, a fight scene, staying six feet apart,” said Hill.
Originally, Theatre WV planned to perform Hatfields and McCoys, but due to the interactive dialog the group will now perform a play called “The Last Five Years.”
“It’s a two person play, a husband and wife, well two people in a relationship and they are bringing their lives to the stage from different standpoints.”
Due to social distancing only 60 tickets will be sold. People can also purchase cut-outs of themselves or their favorite person to attend the play for $20 dollars.
“With the pandemic we didn’t get to do our 60th season this year at the park but we’re going to bring it indoors here at the Raleigh PlayHouse,” said Hill.
Tickets are $20 and will go on sale September 21st.
