Morgantown Metropolitan Theater, Don Knotts turn 100

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) — West Virginians are celebrating the 100th anniversary and birthday of the Morgantown Metropolitan Theater and Morgantown actor Don Knotts.

From July 20-24, you can visit the Morgantown Metropolitan Theater, also know as the Met, and buy a ticket to see one of Knott’s films for only one dollar.

Knotts, who died in 2006, was a major actor from Morgantown who was known for his roles in the Andy Griffith Show and Three’s a Company. He was also a major inspiration for many performers, including Jim Carrey.

Knotts was born on July 21, 1924 and the Morgantown Met was originally opened on July 24, 1924. Knotts and the theater have a historic connection to each other for reasons other than similar dates, as the actor got his start doing ventriloquism acts at the theater when he was just 17 years old.

Vincent Kitch, Director of Arts and Cultural Development in the City of Morgantown, explained that “people came together to save [the Morgantown Metropolitan Theater]” which was at risk of being permanently closed.

A free event on Wednesday at 7 p.m. will go into more detail about the theater’s history.

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