Miss Nelson is Missing, a book by Harry Allard and James Marshall, has been adapted for the stage by Jeffrey Hatcher and will be presented on the Chattanooga Theatre Centre MainStage April 24 through May 3 by the CTC’s Youth Theatre.
Miss Nelson can't control her crazy classroom because she's just too nice. But when she disappears, her replacement is the hard-as-nails, detention-loving, recess-canceling, homework-overloading substitute teacher, Viola Swamp. With the Big Test approaching, the kids suddenly realize how much they miss Miss Nelson, and they'll do anything -- including hiring a private eye -- to solve the mystery of her disappearance and bring her back.
According to Youth Theatre Director and director of this production, Scott Dunlap, the play is suitable for all ages but will be of particular interest for kindergartners through third graders.
Two casts are preparing for this production, which includes eight sold-out daytime school shows over four days and six public shows for which tickets are still available.
The casts are as follows:
MISS NELSON/VIOLA SWAMP: Maggie Meller and Chloe Neel
PRINCIPAL HUMLEKER: Grace Hamilton and Jamie McConnico
DETECTIVE McSMOGG: Josh Anderle and Christopher Brown
The Kids:
RAYMOND: Benjamin Brown and Charlie Clevenger
PHOEBE: Brianna Schrodt and Emma Tuttle
GEORGE JORGENSON, JR.: Turk Buck and Ben Dewitt
LAVITA: Kailey Buttry and Olivia Mayes
MINNIE, aka MOUSE: Hannah Carter and Emma Wesolowski
KIMBERLY: Ava Culpepper and Allie Drew
ELVIS: Tison Buck and Tarik Hamidi
Public performances will take place Friday, April 24, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 25, at 2:30 p.m.; Sunday, April 26, at 2:30 p.m.; Friday, May 1, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 2, at 2:30 p.m.; and Sunday, May 3, at 2:30 p.m.
The Chattanooga Theatre Centre’s Youth Theatre, now in our 31st season, is theatre performed by young actors especially for young audiences. Tickets are $10 for all ages and are available online at TheatreCentre.com as well as through the box office at 267-8534 (Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.) and at the door one hour prior to the performance.
The Chattanooga Theatre Centre is at 400 River St. on the city’s NorthShore next to Coolidge Park.