To help celebrate 100 years of theater meant to bring the community together, the Chattanooga Theatre Centre will present 11 shows for its 2023-24 season. They'll range from classics to contemporary to comically campy productions.
Each performance was chosen because it represents, in some way, each of the 10 decades that the theater has been in existence, according to Executive Director Rodney Van Valkenburg.
Van Valkenburg said the performances were selected because they showcase the type of community theater the CTC has tried to be over the years.
"It allows us to talk about our great history," he said by phone. "It gives us the opportunity to talk about each decade."
Originally formed as The Little Theatre Inc., in 1923, the company's first productions were performed in the newly opened Little Theatre, now known as the Walker Theatre, inside Memorial Auditorium.
It shortly moved into an old fire hall on Eighth Street for a couple of years before moving to its current location on River Street in Coolidge Park.
The name changed to the Chattanooga Theatre Centre in 1996 when it was renovated.
Van Valkenburg said that while the theater's mission has always emphasized the "Community with a capital C," it has changed its approach over the years.
"For the first 50 years, the theater presented only non-musicals, straight plays that were hot off the Broadway stage and occasional children's plays," he said. "In the 1970s, we began to see a shift in programming by presenting musicals for the first time. As the theater moved into the 1980s, this trend of making musicals the backbone of the season productions continued."
Youth Theatre and education programs became "an established focus" during the 1980s as well, Van Valkenburg said. The theater also began to consistently present contemporary theater productions in the more intimate Circle Theatre.
"In recent years, the theater has committed to expand and diversify their theater opportunities by presenting the August Wilson Century Cycle of plays that explore the Black experience in America," he added.
Here's the lineup for the centennial season:
— "Peter Pan," Sept. 22-Oct. 8, Mainstage Theatre, representing the 1950s
The classic 1950s play is based on J.M. Barrie's timeless story of Wendy, John and Michael Darling's adventures in Neverland with Peter Pan, "the boy who would not grow up." (Appropriate for all audiences)
— "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf," Oct. 20-Nov. 5, Circle Theatre, representing the 1960s
College professor George and his wife, Martha, have just returned home, drunk from a Saturday night party. Martha announces that she has invited a young couple — an opportunistic new professor at the college and his shatteringly naïve new bride — to stop by for a nightcap. (For mature audiences)
— "Strega Nona," Dec. 1-17, Circle Theatre, representing the 1970s
A combination of three of Tomie dePaola's beloved tales, "Strega Nona" features an Italian sorceress, Strega Nona, who decides to teach the local baker's daughter magic only to have Strega Nona's bumbling, knock-kneed helper, Big Anthony, secretly join the lessons. (Appropriate for all audiences)
— "Scrooge," Dec. 8-31, Mainstage Theatre, representing the 1970s
Renowned writer/composer/lyricist Leslie Bricusse adapted the classic Charles Dickens tale "A Christmas Carol" into this charming hit musical for all ages to enjoy. (Appropriate for all audiences)
— "Seven Guitars," Feb. 2-18, Circle Theatre, representing the 1940s
The sixth in the August Wilson's decade-by-decade exploration of the Black experience in America, two of which have won Pulitzer Prizes, "Seven Guitars" is part bawdy comedy, part dark elegy, part mystery. (Appropriate for mature audiences)
— "Dragons Love Tacos" (Feb. 23-March 3, Mainstage Theatre, representing the 2010s
A boy and his dog are watching a TV show about dragons when they unexpectedly get caught up in the do's and don'ts of what to serve to dragons to eat. (Appropriate for all audiences)
— "Murder on the Orient Express," March 22-April 7, Mainstage Theatre, representing the 1930s
When the luxurious train is stopped by a snowdrift, passengers find their number has been reduced by one. Detective Hercule Poirot is charged with identifying the murderer before he or she decides to strike again in this Agatha Christie classic. (PG-13)
— "Ain't Misbehavin'," April 19-May 5, Circle Theatre, representing the 1920s
The musical evokes the humor and vibrancy of Thomas "Fats" Waller as an energetic ensemble struts, strums and sings the songs that forged the jazz icon's career from uptown clubs to downtown Tin Pan Alley to Hollywood and concert stages in the U.S., Canada and Europe. (PG-13)
— "Finding Nemo Jr.," May 10-19, Mainstage Theatre, representing the 2000s
The musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Disney/Pixar movie "Finding Nemo" finds familiar characters overcoming challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves. (Appropriate for all audiences)
— "Prelude to a Kiss," June 7-23, Circle Theatre, representing the 1990s
At Peter and Rita's wedding, a mysterious old man insists on kissing the bride. Peter realizes later that the kiss caused Rita's soul and the old man's to change places. (PG-13)
— "La Cage Aux Folles," July 19-Aug. 4, Mainstage Theatre, representing the 1980s
One of musical theater's biggest hits finds Georges and Albin 20 years into partnered bliss, when Georges' son (fathered during a one-night fling) announces his impending marriage to the daughter of a conservative politician. (Appropriate for mature audiences)
Individual tickets and anytime ticket packages go on sale Monday, April 17. They may be purchased at theatrecentre.com or by calling the box office at 423-267-8534.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.