Live theater in West Virginia offers a wide variety of performances that are whimsical, funny and tell classic tales of adventure and life.
Theater shows engage kids and audiences in different ways than movies on a flat screen. With a live performance, no show is the same twice, and audiences can connect with characters and stories up close and personal.
Whether the show is outside or in a historic theater, West Virginia has performances that will entertain and engage both you and your kids:
1. American Mountain Theater’s Premier 2-Hour Show
April 3 to Oct. 31 – American Mountain Theater hosts this lively comedy music show featuring the incredibly talented Due Time Band. You’ll enjoy skits and the steady banter of the cast and performers.
2. Mary Poppins
Oct. 9 to Oct. 18 – This supercalifragilisticexpialidocious musical adventure plays at the Clay Center in October and is full of practical wisdom from the world’s most famous and practically perfect Nanny.
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3. Play the Play with Cat the Cat
Oct. 21 to Nov. 15 – West Virginia Public Theater in Morgantown will present Mo Willems’ beloved “Cat the Cat.” Using rhyming and simple language, this play explores how scary it can be to make new friends. “Cat the Cat” engages everyone to “Play the Play” by asking questions and getting everyone to join in.
4. The Addams Family
Oct. 30 to Nov. 14 – Playing at the Actors Guild of Parkersburg, America’s favorite freaky family freaks out when daughter Wednesday brings home a ‘normal’ fiancé. The whole family will love the antics as Gomez tries to keep the engagement secret from Morticia until Wednesday comes to her senses.
5. The Music Man
Dec. 3 to Dec. 13 – Playing at the The Old Opera House Theater Company in Charles Town, this classic musical tells the tale of con man Harold Hill as he transforms his life due to the charms and influence of prim Miss Marion.
6. Home for the Holidays
Dec. 3 – Join the WV Symphony Orchestra for a magical musical extravaganza. You will make wonderful holiday memories for your entire family at Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg.
7. A Christmas Carol
Dec. 6 to Dec. 20 – Tamarack hosts this classic tale of second chances and the magic of Christmas during the holiday season for free, every Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Governor Hulett C. Smith Theater.
8. Dashing Through the Snow
Dec. 11 to Dec. 20 – The Apollo Civic Theater features a Christmas comedy that is more fun than a joyride in a one-horse open sleigh. “Dashing Through the Snow” tells the story of the colorful guests who arrive at the Snowflake B&B, and its innkeeper Trina as she tries to get ready for Christmas and help her friends end a 30-year feud. You’ll be on the edge of your seat to see how it all comes together in just 4 days.
9. A Christmas Carol or Something Like it
December – The Kanawha Players, one of the oldest continuously operating amateur theater companies in the country, will add a comedic twist to the classic tale of “A Christmas Carol.” Their version is performed by 2 actors who play all the characters.
Which performance are you most excited to see?