BARRY COURTER: Lisa, the menu for things to do this week is literally all over the map. We’ve got live theater, live rasslin’ and live music, including classical and a piano concert in Athens.
LISA DENTON: Not to play into stereotypes, but I live in the north end of the county, so it’s nothin’ for me to see rasslin’ on the weekend, and that’s just in my living room. But Friday, the professionals from World Wrestling Entertainment will be at McKenzie Arena for the Raw World Tour. The card is full of Raw superstars, including Ted DiBiase, who was just here for World of Wheels. But the big draw is the triple-threat match for the WWE championship pitting The Miz vs. Wade Barrett vs. Juan Cena. A triple-threat match! It makes me miss Harry Thornton.
BARRY: I was just talking about Thornton and Tojo Yamamoto the other day. Man, he could do some damage with those wooden shoes. Sounds like you know your wrestling, by the way. If Raw doesn’t fire your rocket, the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera is presenting “Symphonie Fantastique” Thursday and Friday at the Tivoli. It will be guest conducted by Sarah Hicks. Her visit here is actually part of her audition to be the next permanent conductor, but that is another story.
LISA: And don’t forget “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.” I love, love, love the Disney animated film (who knew Robby Benson could be so beastly). This is the Broadway touring production coming to Memorial Auditorium. Apparently, the action has been streamlined to be more fast-paced, but they’ve kept the big, splashy musical numbers. I’d say it’s a given you’ll leave humming “Be Our Guest.” A version of the play produced at Chattanooga Theatre Centre a couple of years ago was hugely popular, so I imagine this show will be well attended.
BARRY: I saw an earlier version at the auditorium, and it was very good. What’s not to love about snarky talking candles and teacups? Also, Canadian performer Jim Witter and his band will be playing Elton John and Billy Joel hits tonight at the junior high school in Athens in a show called The Piano Men.