Local Theatre History Part II - MAG

   Continuing our history of local theatre, originally written in 2006 and updated a bit. Yesterday we looked at Marshall University's history (presumably it's the longest-running continuous theatre company in the area). Now for the second-longest-running group: MAG.

   The Musical Arts Guild (MAG) is the second-longest-running (and still active) community theater group in the Huntington area. Way back in 1965 several area churches combined their choirs to provide music for a preaching mission, and that was the beginning for the Musical Arts Guild. 

   Those early missions were presented for a while at the Keith-Albee Theater, and when that ended, the group continued doing concerts and finally “regular” shows at the Huntington High School auditorium (now known as the Renaissance Center). 

   Over the years since, the group has produced some terrific shows and given stage time to some local talent, including Michael Cerveris and Mark and Beth McVey. 

    One of my favorite shows produced by MAG was Fiddler on the Roof in the mid-’90s, starring my dearly departed pal Jim Stone as Tevye.

    Unfortunately, it’s been a while since MAG tackled a stage show - I believe their last stage show was The King and I, directed by Danny Ray and starring Tommy Smirl. The group is still active, but has gone back to its roots and presents shows in concert form only. 

   MAG annually holds a fundraising concert for the three scholarships the group awards every year to Marshall students - two for music majors and one for a theatre major.

   They’ve carried the torch of community theatre for almost 50 years - and hopefully they’ll continue to bring the gift of music to the area for many more years to come.

    MAG was also directly responsible for the next-oldest local community theatre group - the one devoted to local children.

Next: Part III - First Stage Theatre Company