BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – The West Virginia Wesleyan College Departments of Theatre &  Dance and Department of Music present Maltby and Shire’s “Closer Than Ever,” Thursday,  Feb. 12 through Saturday, Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and also Saturday, Feb. 14 at 2  p.m. in the Balcony Theatre at the Colonial Arts Center downtown Buckhannon. Tickets are available at the door one hour prior to curtain and are $10 for general admission, $5 for seniors,  students or anyone with a WVWC ID.  

A look into the private song vault of Richard Maltby, Jr., and David Shire (“Big;” “Starting Here,  Starting Now;” “Baby”), the review, Maltby and Shire’s “Closer Than Ever,” is filled to the brim with the brilliance for which these musical theatre giants are known. 

“Closer Than Ever” is a nonstop exploration of everyday struggles in the “modern world.” Topics  ranging from unrequited adoration to aging are tackled with resounding sincerity and precisely  placed hilarity. Each song is a unique story told by a new character, taking audiences, not only  into the songbook of Maltby and  Shire, but into the minds of the individuals facing these completely relatable challenges. 

Wesleyan’s cast includes: senior Musical Theatre/Communications double-major Ashton  Nardella ‘26, of Bridgeport; junior Creative Writing major Amelia Hughes ‘27, of  Bridgeport; sophomore Musical Theatre major Adrian Legg ‘28, of Charleston; freshman Musical  Theatre major DeAndre Jones ‘29, of Morgantown; and freshmen Vocal Performance majors  Kendall Marcum ‘29, of Hurricane and Alexis “Ness” Schauman ‘29, of Elkins. 

Junior Acting/Directing major Rhyan Sebring ‘27, of Caldwell, Ohio will be the Stage Manager,  with set and lighting design by Boyd Wolz, Director of Technical Theater, and costume design  by Jody Wolz. Associate Professor of Music Dr. R. Daniel Hughes provides musical direction,  working with Lauren Hull ‘22 (piano), Leo Dunmire ‘28 (drums), of Elkins, West Virginia, and Mason Atha (bass). Caleb Waybright serves as choreographer. The musical is directed by guest artist Katherine Smart  Hughes.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for 135 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan as one of its 2026 Best Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2026  Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan second in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students nearly 60 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing and counseling; 22 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 50 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.