CHICAGO, which opened to rave reviews on November 14, 1996, is now in its 20th year on Broadway and is one of the longest running American musicals, showing no sign of ever slowing down! Chicago is the winner of six 1997 Tony Awards® including Best Musical Revival and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording. Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, Chicago is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who maliciously murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids.
In this romantic comedy, It was love at first site when Zoe’, a young attractive attorney, laid eyes on the man of her dreams. His name? Kirk! Handsome, charming and so sweet that he sweeps her off her feet…but her new found love is only pretending to be the perfect mate and has started sleeping with her best friend Yonnie. Kirk uses his charismatic powers to get them both under his spell and Zoe’ truly believes Kirk is the best man she ever met, but is fooled by his love and betrayed by her best friend. As the secrets unfold, Zoe’s zany family members take matters into their own hands and the comedy is non-stop, but at the end of the day, Zoe’ realizes that true love is not what it seems!
In 1996, an original rock musical by a little-known composer opened on Broadway… and forever changed the landscape of American theatre. Two decades later, Jonathan Larson’s RENT continues to speak loudly and defiantly to audiences across generations and all over the world. And now, this Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award®-winning masterpiece returns to the stage in a vibrant 20th anniversary touring production. A re-imagining of Puccini’s La Bohème, RENT follows an unforgettable year in the lives of seven artists struggling to follow their dreams without selling out. With its inspiring message of joy and hope in the face of fear, this timeless celebration of friendship and creativity reminds us to measure our lives with the only thing that truly matters—love.
Smoke on the Mountain tells the story of a Saturday Night Gospel Sing at a country church in North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains in 1938. The show features two dozen rousing bluegrass songs played and sung by the Sanders Family, a traveling group making its return to performing after a five-year hiatus.Pastor Oglethorpe, the young and enthusiastic minister of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, has enlisted the Sanders Family in his efforts to bring his tiny congregation into “the modern world.” Between songs, each family member “witnesses” — telling a story about an important event in their life. Though they try to appear perfect in the eyes of a congregation who wants to be inspired by their songs, one thing after another goes awry and they reveal their true — and hilariously imperfect – natures. By the evening’s end, the Sanders Family have endeared themselves to us by revealing their weaknesses and allowing us to share in their triumphs.
Set in August of 1947, All My Sons is centered around the Keller family, patriarch Joe, his wife Kate and their son, Chris. The boisterous Joe Keller deals with the fallout from his business having profited from the war by shipping faulty engine parts, which caused the death of 21 pilots. Still reeling from the disappearance of their son, Larry, Kate Keller is in a constant battle to stay sane and refuses to give up hope for his safe return. Complications for the Kellers also arise from their former neighbors, George and Ann Deever, the children of Joe Keller’s business partner, who is taking the punishment of the faulty shipments. Ann is the girlfriend of the missing Keller son, but is now the object of the older Chris Keller’s affection. George, damaged by the war, uses his visit to assert a certain truth about the war and the faulty shipments.
The international Irish dance phenomenon is back by popular demand in RIVERDANCE – The 20th Anniversary World Tour. Drawing on Irish traditions, the combined talents of the performers propel Irish dancing and music into the present day, capturing the imagination of audiences across all ages and cultures in an innovative and exciting blend of dance, music and song. Of all the performances to emerge from Ireland – in rock, music, theater, and song – nothing has carried the energy, the sensuality and the spectacle of Riverdance. Riverdance – The 20th Anniversary World Tour is composed by Bill Whelan, produced by Moya Doherty and directed by John McColgan, and comes directly to North America from a sold-out run across Europe and Asia.
FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS Circle Theatre (general seating) – World Premiere
Grand Prize Winner April 21 – May 7, 2017
Not even written yet new: A completely new work for our 2017 Festival of New Plays – our ninth biennial festival where the work of local playwrights is showcased. The 2014-15 winner, the romantic comedy Dorothy Parker Would Not Approve by Stacy Chapman, was the most popular in the history of the competition.
Leapin’ Lizards!
The world’s best-loved musical returns in time-honored form. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin and choreographed by Liza Gennaro, this production of ANNIE will be a brand new incarnation of the iconic original.
Featuring book and score by Tony Award®-winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin, ANNIE includes such unforgettable songs as ‘It’s the Hard Knock Life,’ ‘Easy Street,’ ‘I Don’t Need Anything But You,’ plus the eternal anthem of optimism, ‘Tomorrow.’
The Backstage Bash, a night of entertainment, food, drink, and laughter at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre, is set for Saturday, May 20, from 7:30-11 p.m. throughout the CTC’s 40,000 square feet of rehearsal halls, costume shop, green room, and other places rarely seen by audience members.
The event is designed to raise money for the Chattanooga Theatre Centre, now celebrating its 93rd season.
Circle Theatre (general seating) – Musical Event
June 2 – July 1, 2017 a CTC original based on the Shakespeare classic.
A Midsummer Night’s Disco is Shakespeare meets Donna Summer. A reimagined tale of our own creation of misplaced love under disco lights on boogie nights.