Twenty-three years ago, Ron Iannone was challenged by the idea that a Broadway quality musical theatre could educate, entertain, produce jobs and attract tourists dollars into the Monongahela Valley. Out of that challenge, was born a quality professional theatre, West Virginia Public Theatre.

It was the right idea at the right time and today that idea has culminated into one of America's top regional musical theatres. Entertaining and educating several thousand people a year. the theatre brings an estimated $3,500,000 annually into the region.

In its twenty-third year history, WVPT has played to more than 700,000 people, continuing to carry out the mission to use the arts to enrich the lives of the residents of our region through the beauty of live, professional musical theatre.

Beginning as a small tent theatre in a hotel parking lot in 1985 and playing to only 2,000 attendees, the WVPT is one of West Virginia's best kept secrets.

History and Facts 2004-2007

• West Virginia Public Theatre is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), professional theatre
• West Virginia Public Theatre first opened as an outdoor tent theatre in 1985 at the Sheraton Lakeview Resort and moved to West Virginia University's Creative Arts Center in 1989
• West Virginia Public Theatre played to an audience of several thousand patrons in 2006 and has served over 700,000 patrons during its sixteen year history
• 50 percent of the theatre's audience is from the Morgantown, West Virginia area. The other half of its audience is from the surrounding states, bringing tourist dollars to West Virginia
• West Virginia Public Theatre's total budget is over $1.5 million, most of which is spent with West Virginia vendors
• West Virginia Public Theatre is estimated to generate $3.5 million annually in its community ($5.00 generated for every dollar spent on tickets)
• West Virginia Public Theatre attracts nearly 200 bus tour, business and community groups to its shows every year
• West Virginia Public Theatre has received the Northern West Virginia Convention and Tourism Bureau award for its work in bringing visitors to Northern West Virginia.

For tickets and additional information please contact us at

(304) 291-4122 or toll free at (877) 999-WVPT.

You can also E-Mail us at: info@wvpublictheatre.com