BUCKHANNON — Please join Buckhannon Community Theatre as they celebrate their 50th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, December 10 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 11 at 2 p.m. at the Colonial Arts Center.

The show will include performances from shows that the company has produced over the last five decades and will be performed by a cast comprised of members who have appeared in BCT shows. This will include members who are coming back to Buckhanon just for this celebration.

Along with the celebration, the 2022 Knorr Award will be presented at the Saturday night show to the recipient. There is no charge for tickets, but please consider making a ticket donation of $50 in honor of their 50th. The money raised will go towards BCT’s pledge to the Colonial Arts Center James W. Knorr Box Office and Lobby. This event is sponsored by WVU Medicine – St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Spawned by the efforts of Buckhannon-Upshur High School students and the high school’s vocal music teacher and choir director, James Knorr, BCT took to the stage for the first time in 1971 with the production that began as an effort to continue to have musical theater shows during the summer months in addition to the musical shows that were produced at the high school each spring.

The effort was successful, as people of all ages and backgrounds became actors, singers, dancers, directors, stagehands and costumers in order to put together a “Broadway-style” show for the community. In 1972, Buckhannon Community Theatre was chartered as a non-profit organization, developed and adopted organizational by-laws and held its first election of officers, including executive board members, from its general membership. 

It has since expanded from summer-only productions to producing shows throughout the year. This year, BCT celebrates 51 years of quality live theater productions.