Jun 7, 2002 By Frances Borsodi Zajac 5 min read

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – With a season full of Broadway hits, West Virginia Public Theatre in Morgantown returns to its roots as an outdoor theater this year. “We’re going to be right beside the (West Virginia University) Coliseum,’ said Ron Iannone, founder and executive producer. “We’ll be outside the red gate and blue gate area in the parking lot. And we’ll be using the facilities in the Coliseum for concessions, restrooms and box office.’

From June 18 to Aug. 18, WVPT will perform in a European-theater festival setting in the coliseum’s parking lot.

This season’s schedule includes: “Forever Plaid,’ June 18-23; “Smokey Joe’s Caf’,’ June 25-30; “Footloose,’ July 2-7; “Chicago,’ July 9-14; “Jekyll & Hyde,’ July 16-21;’ “Godspell,’ July 23-28; “My Fair Lady,’ July 30-Aug. 4; and “The Music Man,’ Aug. 6-11.

In addition, WVPT will present “Annie,’ Oct. 11-12 at the State Theatre Center for the Arts in Uniontown, and will offer “The Wizard of Oz’ for its holiday show Dec. 13, 14 and 19, 22 at East Fairmont High School’s theater.

This summer’s shows will be presented just outside the coliseum in a new Clearspan vinyl structure that will be supported by beams, not poles. The theater will be air conditioned with padded seats, and Iannone emphasizes the intimacy of the setting.

“The farthest anyone will be is six to eight feet away. It’s great seating,’ he said, adding, “It’ll be like having Broadway on their laps.’

Outside the theater, the festival atmosphere will allow patrons to make use of patio furniture and umbrellas and be entertained by traveling musicians. For those looking for souvenirs, a gift shop will also be open inside the coliseum.

The move to the outdoor theater is temporary for this summer season as well as the 2003 summer season, made necessary by asbestos removal and renovations to West Virginia University’s Creative Arts Center, which WVPT has called home since 1989.

Prior to that, WVPT operated as Lakeview Theatre at Lakeview Resort and Conference Center in Cheat Lake where it was founded in 1985 as an outdoor theater, doing shows in a tent with stars like Carol Lawrence and Dean Jones.

And this won’t be the last move. Iannone said there are plans to build the West Virginia Public Theatre’s Performing Arts Center in Morgantown’s wharf district. Officials hope to open the new center, which will also contain a musical theater conservatory, in fall 2004.

Meanwhile, patrons can continue to enjoy Broadway-quality shows this summer in a season that probably boasts the most Broadway actors that WVPT has employed in one year.

A press release from WVPT announces the lead actors for this summer’s lineup:

– Matt Hamel will portray Ren McCormack in “Footloose,” a role he also performed in the Big League Theatricals National Tour of Footloose. WVPT’s production runs July 2-7. Sylvia Rhyne, who appeared in Broadway productions of “The Sound of Music,” “Sweeney Todd” and “South Pacific,” appears as Hamel’s mother, Ethel.

– Stephen Bogardus, Tony-award nominee and Obie-award winner for “Love! Valour! Compassion!,” appears as Billy Flynn in the Kander and Ebb musical “Chicago,” staged by WVPT July 9-14. Bogardus starred as Gabriel Conroy in “James Joyce’s The Dead” on Broadway during 2000, replacing Christopher Walken. Bogardus also appeared in Broadway productions of “The Grapes of Wrath,” “Les Miserables” and “High Society.”

– Dana Moore will appear as Velma Kelly in “Chicago.” Moore appeared in Broadway productions of “Fosse” (directed by “Chicago’s” Tony award-winning choreographer Ann Reinking), “Sweet Charity” and “A Chorus Line.”

– Guy LeMonnier is currently touring Europe as Pontius Pilate in “Jesus Christ Superstar” and appeared in the NETworks Theatricals National Tour of “Jekyll & Hyde” in the title role, which he will reprise at WVPT July 16-21.

– Jamison Stern, who has appeared in the recent New York production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “By Jeeves,” will appear as John the Baptist in “Godspell” July 23-28.

– New York actor Dane Wilson will portray Winthrop Paroo in “The Music Man.” Wilson appeared as Young Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” with Tim Curry at Madison Square Garden. Michael McGurk appeared in the recent revival of “The Music Man” on Broadway and will portray Tommy Djilas in the WVPT production, running Aug. 6-11.

There are still good seats left for these shows, but several matinees have already begun to sell out.

“We’re telling people to call now,’ Iannone said.

Part of the reason for the sellouts are the increased number of bus tours and groups that visit WVPT. Iannone reported that more than 250 groups (of 10 or more people) patronized WVPT in 2001 while attendance for the season was more than 60,000. The company did 104 performances with its shows last year, including those at the State Theatre in Uniontown.

Season subscriptions for this year are available for $168, which are good for eight shows. Single tickets are $23 each, with discounts for students and seniors.

For more information on West Virginia Public Theatre and to acquire tickets for shows, check out the Web site at www.Wvpublictheatre.org or call the box office toll free at 1-877-999-9878.