When the curtain went up on “The Crucible” June 18, it marked the 22nd Chattanooga Theatre Centre play in which Shirley Alderman has performed, and her 47th year in local stage productions.
Officials at the CTC believe that with this production, Mrs. Alderman has become its longest-performing actor who is still “walking the boards.”
“I did my first play in 1963 at what was then the Chattanooga Little Theater,” Mrs. Alderman said. “It was the last show in the old firehall at Eighth and Park streets. I played Roy Morris Sr.’s aged aunt in ‘The Happiest Millionaire.’ “
Since then she has brought characters to life from “Arsenic and Old Lace’s” eccentric Aunt Martha to her current role as Rebecca Nurse in “The Crucible.”
And with a wry sense of humor, she relishes telling acquaintances she was “married to Bernie Sellman three or four times.” (The late Mr. Sellman was a favorite CTC actor for several decades as well, who frequently played opposite Mrs. Alderman.)