GRANDVIEW, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – As Theatre West Virginia (TWV) gears up to perform its last weekend of shows, General Manager Scott Hill reflects on this year’s season.
Last year, actors and spectators alike were heartbroken when the pandemic forced the TWV stage to remain closed. Hill didn’t know what to expect this season but remained hopeful that faithful fans would return to the Cliffside Amphitheater.
When tickets began selling fast, Hill knew this year was going to be a good one. Was this uptick in visitors because people were wanting to get out after spending a year stuck inside? Or was it because of the recent National Park designation?
Hill believes it’s both.
“After COVID, people seem to be happier. It’s a feeling in the audience. They have lived some time without people around them, and they seem to be a little happier and a little easier to get along with. We are happy to be the recipients of that.”
As for the National Park designation, Hill says he can’t believe changing some letters on a sign would bring so much attention. According to Hill, the theatre has seen guests from more than 20 different states at every night’s performance.
“We are going to see a whole lot more guests in the future,” he said. “It’s surprising to me how much of a change a subtle change made. It brings status. It brings more guests. It keeps us on our toes.”
When asked to describe this year’s season, Hill said it’s like running a marathon at a sprinter’s pace.
“It’s been brisk. It’s just long enough to be a marathon, but you are just going after it. That is what we signed up for, and we are so happy to have it back after not having it last year.”
TWV’s 2021 season will come to an end with a musical grand finale on Sunday, August 1, 2021.
“It’s here,” he said of the finale. “We are just going to wrap up this season, and we are going to have a good time. We are excited as all get out.”
Sunday’s event will feature West Virginia native and season six winner of NBC TV’s “America’s Got Talent” Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. Murphy will be joined by special guests, Voices of Classic Soul, featuring the former lead singers of The Temptations, The Platters, The Drifters and The Four Tops.
Landau and these musical legends will offer southern West Virginia a once-in-a-lifetime evening of Motown Magic.
Hill says anyone interested in attending Sunday’s performance should not wait to get tickets as the amphitheater is currently only operating at 80 percent capacity, and seats are filling quickly.
Although the theatre is wrapping up its summer season, it will still hold its Children’s Academy in September, and in October- right before kicking off its Christmas season- the theatre will be part of a special Rocket Boys performance at Tamarack.