WEEasked some simple questions — and your neighbors, friends, co-workers, acquaintances, maybe some strangers, answered. Get to know them a little bit better with our fun series, “WEEasked.” Look for it a couple of times a month, most likely on Mondays. Do you have someone you’d like to see featured? Send us an email to weelunk@weelunk.com, and please be sure to put WEEasked in the subject line.
Actor, musician, professor, playwright, poet, songwriter, husband, father — and a real “Teaser.”
That’s Butch Maxwell, who has lived in Wheeling most of his life.
Along with the litany above, Butch also co-founded the popular local band Teaser in the late 1970s and these days leads the new-wave tribute band, the M-80s.
He is the co-founder and director of the original comedy troupe, Mystery Theatre Unlimited, which has produced 63 original shows since 1996. Maxwell has authored or co-authored 50 of them. Mystery Theatre fans can look forward to a new show, “Popguy the Sailor,” which he and co-writer Bert Furioli are working on for the troupe’s 23rd season that starts next month.
In the spring, he directed Oglebay Institute’s Towngate Theatre’s production of “August: Osage County,” to rave reviews.
He also wrote an award-winning, one-act play, “Fine: A Play in One Word,” that was featured a few years ago in Pittsburgh’s New Works play festival.
Professor Maxwell teaches communication and English at Wheeling Jesuit University, West Liberty University and Belmont College.
Always the comedian, his motto is “even if I disapprove of what you say, I will defend your right to be wrong.”
He is the father of two adult daughters and is married to Vera Barton-Maxwell.
Here is what Butch answered, when WEEasked:
If you could be the best at anything in the world, what would it be?
I would be the best friend and mentor.
What’s your favorite night out on the town?
Any night that involves live music or live theater is great. Both is the best.
What upcoming events are you most looking forward to attending?
Local events: Towngate Theatre’s “August: Osage County” (last spring) and the Heritage Music BluesFest.
Tell us something that would surprise Weelunk readers about you?
Many people know me as a performer, but I consider myself to be an introvert. I also enjoy collaboration, as long as I can do it all by myself.
Where do you take out-of-town visitors?
Oglebay, Centre Market and Heritage Port
What is your wish for Wheeling?
Peace, prosperity and pride.
