All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Town & Gown Players to present ‘Matilda The Musical’ in Wallman Hall Theatre

Image courtesy FSU

The Fairmont State University Town & Gown Players will present the Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl’s “Matilda The Musical” in the Wallman Hall Theatre on the campus of Fairmont State.

Tickets are on sale now for a night of revolting children and exciting and powerful live entertainment. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Fairmont State Box Office in Wallman Hall or by calling 304-367-4240. “Matilda the Musical” will be performed on the following dates:

  • Friday, June 17 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 18 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 19 – 2 p.m.
  • Wednesday, June 22 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, June 23 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday, June 24 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 25 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 26 – 2 p.m.

“Matilda is a really fun, but it’s also a complex musical. Like Roald Dahl’s writings, its primary audience is kids, but there’s also a message in it for adults,” said director, Troy Snyder. “This is also the biggest show that Town & Gown has presented since we did ‘The Music Man’ 2014.”

“Matilda the Musical” is a wildly funny, joyous power romp with a clever story, catchy songs and dynamic dance numbers. Inspired by his twisted genius, Roald Dahl’s “Matilda The Musical” is a captivating masterpiece that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life.

Matilda, played by Olivia Boddy and Ella Hatten, is a young girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and hidden power. She’s unloved by her cruel parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood, played by Christian Cox and Ashley Morgan Fink, respectively. Matilda impresses her schoolteacher, the loveable Miss Honey, played by Shannon Yost. Matilda’s headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, played by A. Shawn Dunn, despises children and delights in finding new ways to punish them.

Matilda is joined by a group of talented classmates played by Kavon Newman, as Bruce Bogtrotter, Mia Kopiske, as Lavendar, Jack Santee, as Nigel, Joanna Dugan, Savannah Farcin, Eva Moore and Simon Scanlon.

The older students are played by Franky Satterfield, Wesley Benson, Parker Bombard, Salem Pollastrini, Shaila King, Sara Jo Martin and Colton Daft.

Cast members also include Wesley Benson, as Michael Wormwood, Kathy Dunn, as the friendly librarian, Geoff Coyle, Sarah Lemley, Scott Moore, Matthew O’Neill, Ashley Bainbridge, Devon Neptune, Miki DeMary-Andrew, Matt Scanlon, Dani DeVito, Bryce Weaver, Mathew O’Neill, Franchesca Aloi and Shaila King.

“Matilda the Musical” is directed by Troy Snyder, choreographed by Kim Bell and Ashley Morgan Fink and produced by Leigh Anne Riley. The artistic team and crew include Troy Snyder, Trina Byard, Kurtis Dennison, Ashley Doyle-Sine, Franky Satterfield, James Spears, Brady Dunn and Justin Z. Allan.

“The cast works hard, but no one is working harder than the student actors who have five big dance numbers and are in most of the scenes of the play. I’m amazed by how hard they can work and still smile at the end of rehearsal,” Snyder continued. “Town & Gown Summer Theatre is glad to be back.”   Fairmont State celebrates 60+ years of Town & Gown Players summer theatre and is thrilled to have live theatre back in Wallman Hall. Each Town & Gown Players production features a cast, crew and artistic team comprised of community members, students and professionals who commit their time, talent and steadfast dedication to each performance

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for July 2, 2025

This week in Buckhannon, local organizations plan events and clinics — including a big July 4th celebration — and several community initiatives aim to engage residents of all ages.

Emergency agencies stress need for coordinated incident plans during large events with road closures

Emergency officials emphasized the need for incident action plans and coordination with public safety agencies for large events that close major streets, citing upcoming car shows and other street-closure events to ensure fast, safe emergency responses.
BUHS Sports

B-U now in Class AAAA in all sports; moved to new South Region after WVSSAC restructuring

Buckhannon-Upshur High School will compete in Class AAAA — the highest division — for all sports and has been moved to the new South Region under a two-year realignment by the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission.

Stockert Youth and Community Center Board Meeting Agenda: July 3, 2025

The Stockert Youth and Community Center Board will meet July 3, 2025, with an agenda set to discuss organizational matters and upcoming events.

Buckhannon Waste Board Agenda: July 3, 2025

The City of Buckhannon Waste Collection Board has released the agenda for its upcoming meeting on July 3, 2025.

Woman arrested on six felony charges after allegedly shooting at a man in Upshur County

Jocelyn M. Krum, 28, of Charleston, was arrested on six felony charges after allegedly entering a Mt. Lebanon Road residence in Upshur County with a rifle and shooting at a man before fleeing the scene.

Buckhannon man sentenced to 11 to 21 years for Bailey Ridge Road shootout

Austin W. Arbogast, 26, was sentenced to 11 to 21 years in prison after pleading guilty to four felony charges stemming from a March 2024 shootout on Bailey Ridge Road while attempting to retrieve his child.

Mountain East Conference extends invitation to Shawnee State University

The Mountain East Conference has approved Shawnee State University as its 12th full-time member, with the school set to join in 2026 pending NCAA Division II acceptance and expanding league competition in 19 sports.
Davis and Elkins College

Davis & Elkins College students recognized for high academic honors for Spring 2025 semester

Davis & Elkins College has announced the Spring 2025 president’s list, for students earning 4.0 GPAs, and dean’s list, for those earning 3.6 to 3.99, honoring academic excellence campus-wide.