Ellington

Closed Door Entertainment crew will open the curtain on its production of “Music Man” June 29 — the local troupe’s first show at the Tivoli Theatre.

CDE began in 2006 and has entertained patrons in 25 high-quality productions at The Colonnade in Ringgold, Ga. The acting troupe, which was formerly based out of Ringgold but recently relocated to Chattanooga, is seeking to attract a larger audience by hosting productions at the Tivoli starting with “Music Man.”

The show will run Friday, June 29 and Saturday, June 30 at 7:30 p.m. both nights, and Sunday, July 1 at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $19 to $27 depending on the location of seating.

“We outgrew the space and needed a bigger venue,” said Closed Door Entertainment founder/Executive Director J.C. Smith, of Missionary Ridge. “We want to present a show that people will recognize, a tried and true show that people will come to see.”

He said with 16 troupe members and 24 actors in “Music Man,” spectators will see a wide array of talent on stage. He said some actors will wear band uniforms in colors of maroon and gold, while other actors wear costumes that fit the era of 1912.

“‘Music Man’ is one of those shows that you can’t help but enjoy,” said Smith. “‘Music Man’ is about a fast-talking salesman that comes to River City, Iowa, with plans to swindle people saying he will sell them band uniforms and skip town, but this time he falls in love and stays.”

“This is my first ever lead role,” said Chuck Nalley, of Ringgold, who will play the lead role of salesman Harold Hill. “It’s pretty challenging. There’s a lot of fast talking. It’s a great show. It’s fun and lighthearted.”

An 18-member orchestra playing the violin, trombone, trumpet, piccolo, flute, clarinet, piano and percussion will bring the show’s memorable songs to life coupled with serenading cast members, who live all over the Chattanooga area.

“We will sing songs ‘My White Knight,’ ‘Seventy-Six Trombones,’ ‘Lida Rose,’ ‘Till There Was You’ and ‘Shipoopi,’” said Smith. “I like the song ‘Good Night Ladies’ sung by the barbershop quartet.”

Nalley said his favorite scene is when he gives his sales pitch during the song “Ya Got Trouble,” because it is “toe-tapping fun.”

“I went to see ‘Music Man’ last year and was like ‘Oh my gosh’ because you walk out singing the songs,” said Tracie Kosko, of Ooltewah, who is playing Marian Paroo, the show’s love interest. “I like playing someone who evolves throughout the show. Marian is straight-laced with a high neck collar and as the show goes on she loosens up.”

Rehearsals are ongoing at Ringgold United Methodist Church and at the Loft in Rossville.