Drama
Anthony Davis
Director Since 1994
Director Since 1994
Past Productions & Photo Albums
Six stories, six decades, one high school
She's on a journey to the most wonderful place of all...home!
2022 (Fall) - The Homecoming
Christmas Eve, 1933. On this night of miracles, the Spencer family is praying for one more.
2022 (Spring) - Spirit Level
Two worlds collide on stage...the world of the living, and the world of the not-so-living.
2022 (Fall) - The Homecoming
Christmas Eve, 1933. On this night of miracles, the Spencer family is praying for one more.
2022 (Spring) - Spirit Level
Two worlds collide on stage...the world of the living, and the world of the not-so-living.
2021 (Fall) - She Kills Monsters!
Human dignity...respect...love those close to you right now, because we never know when we're going to lose them.
Human dignity...respect...love those close to you right now, because we never know when we're going to lose them.
2021 (Spring) - Little Women
Through hard times, through war, even through death...nothing could tear them apart - Louisa May Alcott's classic, adapted by Marisha Chamberlain.
Through hard times, through war, even through death...nothing could tear them apart - Louisa May Alcott's classic, adapted by Marisha Chamberlain.
A snowbound train. A dead body. Eight possible suspects. The world's greatest detective is on the case!
2020 (Spring) - Mamma Mia
An independent hotelier in the Greek islands is preparing for her daughter's wedding with the help of two old friends. Meanwhile Sophie, the spirited bride, has a plan. She secretly invites three men from her mother's past in hope of meeting her real father and having him escort her down the aisle on her big day.
An independent hotelier in the Greek islands is preparing for her daughter's wedding with the help of two old friends. Meanwhile Sophie, the spirited bride, has a plan. She secretly invites three men from her mother's past in hope of meeting her real father and having him escort her down the aisle on her big day.
2019 (Fall) - Night of the Living Dead
When a meteorite crashes near a small town high school, students begin to suspect it may have something to do with strange behavior of local adults.
When a meteorite crashes near a small town high school, students begin to suspect it may have something to do with strange behavior of local adults.
2019 (Summer) - All My Sons
Arthur Miller's (The Crucible, Death of a Salesman) ALL MY SONS is about the tragedy of war, not just on the battlefield, but here in the homeland as well. This story takes place several years after the last bullet has been fired...the last bomb has been dropped...the war is still claiming victims.
Arthur Miller's (The Crucible, Death of a Salesman) ALL MY SONS is about the tragedy of war, not just on the battlefield, but here in the homeland as well. This story takes place several years after the last bullet has been fired...the last bomb has been dropped...the war is still claiming victims.
2019 (Spring) - The Sound of Music
This classic musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein is based upon the memoir of Maria Von Trapp. The original Broadway production won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
This classic musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein is based upon the memoir of Maria Von Trapp. The original Broadway production won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
2018 (Fall) - Wait Until Dark
Frederick Knott's terrifying thriller came back to CHS, as we celebrated our 25th anniversary season. Susy Hendrix is a blind woman living in New York City who has unknowingly come into possession of something of great value. Three strangers show up at her door step with shocking stories about her husband. Soon it becomes apparent that nothing is as it seems, and that Susy's very life depends on figuring out the mystery.
Frederick Knott's terrifying thriller came back to CHS, as we celebrated our 25th anniversary season. Susy Hendrix is a blind woman living in New York City who has unknowingly come into possession of something of great value. Three strangers show up at her door step with shocking stories about her husband. Soon it becomes apparent that nothing is as it seems, and that Susy's very life depends on figuring out the mystery.
2018 (Summer) - To Kill a Mockingbird
The story of life in the South during the Depression, as seen through the eyes of a young girl, is told in Harper Lee's classic novel adapted for the stage.
The story of life in the South during the Depression, as seen through the eyes of a young girl, is told in Harper Lee's classic novel adapted for the stage.
2018 (Spring) - Rumors
A revival of our early 2000's show; when Chris and Ken Gorman arrive at the 10th wedding anniversary party of their friends Charlie and Myra Brock. But they find Myra missing and Charlie has shot himself in the head...but missed...and only hit his ear lobe! As more and more guests arrive, can they keep their friends' secret until they discover the truth!
A revival of our early 2000's show; when Chris and Ken Gorman arrive at the 10th wedding anniversary party of their friends Charlie and Myra Brock. But they find Myra missing and Charlie has shot himself in the head...but missed...and only hit his ear lobe! As more and more guests arrive, can they keep their friends' secret until they discover the truth!
2017 (Fall) - Bus Stop
William Inge's comedy/drama classic tells the tale of eight wildly different personalities, all forced by a blizzard to spend the night together in a lonely, roadside café.
William Inge's comedy/drama classic tells the tale of eight wildly different personalities, all forced by a blizzard to spend the night together in a lonely, roadside café.
2017 (Summer) - Magic to Do: Smokestack Theatre Through the Years
An eveniing of cuttings from some of the best productions ever brought to the Community High Stage!
An eveniing of cuttings from some of the best productions ever brought to the Community High Stage!
2017 (Spring) - And Then There Were None
Ten strangers were called to an isolated island mansion by a mysterious individual. Someone begins murdering them one-by-one.
Ten strangers were called to an isolated island mansion by a mysterious individual. Someone begins murdering them one-by-one.
2016 (Fall) - Les Miserables
It's a story worth telling. No, it was not a musical. Victor Hugo's novel has been around for many years longer than the Broadway production. A story about two men...one who learns what forgiveness is and one who cannot see past the law, you might say it's "Old Testament" vs. "New Testament".
It's a story worth telling. No, it was not a musical. Victor Hugo's novel has been around for many years longer than the Broadway production. A story about two men...one who learns what forgiveness is and one who cannot see past the law, you might say it's "Old Testament" vs. "New Testament".
2016 (Summer) - Revelations! Original One-Acts
Six original one-act plays, 3 of which were written and directed by CHS students or recent alumni, were presented "in-the-round".
Six original one-act plays, 3 of which were written and directed by CHS students or recent alumni, were presented "in-the-round".
2016 (Spring) - The Odd Couple
Neil Simon's THE ODD COUPLE...the most popular comedy in American theatrical history: Friday and Saturday, March 18th and 19th at 7:00 p.m.
Neil Simon's THE ODD COUPLE...the most popular comedy in American theatrical history: Friday and Saturday, March 18th and 19th at 7:00 p.m.
2015 (Fall) - Picnic
A drifter shows up in a small Kansas town in 1953 and upsets the lives of some of the locals, perhaps even permanently. William Inge's Pulitzer Prize winner.
A drifter shows up in a small Kansas town in 1953 and upsets the lives of some of the locals, perhaps even permanently. William Inge's Pulitzer Prize winner.
2015 (Summer) - Deathtrap
Our revival of the Smokestack's 4th show ever. This time, it was presented in "theatre-in-the-round", featuring a cast of CHS alumni.
Our revival of the Smokestack's 4th show ever. This time, it was presented in "theatre-in-the-round", featuring a cast of CHS alumni.
Disney's modern classic came to the CHS stage with the help of Eagleville High School, in their first team up since 2008's GREASE. Basketball star Troy Bolton has decided to tryout for the school play, and it's thrown the whole school into a tizzy!
The production, a revival of our 1996 show, is the story of a young girl who, along with her family and several strangers, is forced to hide from Hitler's Nazi Army for more than 2 years in a tiny attic.
Paul and Corie are newlyweds, just moving out and up into a New York apartment. It's there that they discover a building full of crazies...only rivaled by their OWN in-laws, and the truth...that love and marriage is going to be much harder than expected!
To celebrate our 20th anniversary, the Smokestack offers up a re-do of one of our most popular musicals. A big city kid moves to a small town where he discovers that one of his passions, dancing, has been banned.
Wendy and her brothers are whisked away to Neverland by "the boy who wouldn't grow up", where they will do battle with the dastardly Cpt. Hook and his band of pirates.
William Shakespeare came to the CHS stage for the first time in its 88 year history with this whimsical comedy about a mischievious hobgoblin (Puck) and the chaos she causes on the lives of two pairs of young lovers and their peers!
12 strangers have been tasked with determining the fate of a teen accused of murdering his own father. Everyone seems to see it as an open and shut case...everyone except juror #8. When he begins to question things, it soon becomes apparent that there is more, much more, to the case than meets the eye.
Four ghosts visit miserly old Ebenezer Scrooge on Christmas Eve where they have come to haunt him...and maybe to save him.
The sixth summer theatre project included a cast made up entirely of adults (three of them Community faculty)!! Catfish Moon details the lives of four old high school friends whose friendships have grown more fragmented over the years. One of them plans one last fishing trip in order to try and bring them back together. However, it takes something much more tragic before they all realize the importance of friendship and the brevity of life.
The true story of Helen Keller, a young girl who couldn't see, hear, or talk and the young, first-time teacher who dared to try and bring her out of the darkness.
When a small time con-man's partner is murdered by a crime boss, he swears revenge. After recruiting a legendary but well past his prime hustler, the two set out to get even in the only way they know how: the big con!
2011 (Summer) - Butterflies Are Free
The fifth summer show saw alums Dalton Reeves, Kaylea King, and Jordan Powell return to the CHS stage for the emotional story of a blind boy who falls in love with a free-spirited "hippie" during the turbulent '60s.
The fifth summer show saw alums Dalton Reeves, Kaylea King, and Jordan Powell return to the CHS stage for the emotional story of a blind boy who falls in love with a free-spirited "hippie" during the turbulent '60s.
When poet Cervantes is thrown into jail for crimes against the state, he resorts to defending himself in the way he knows best: by weaving the tale about a crazy old man who thinks he's a knight in shinning armor..."Don Quixote".
Tom, Huck, Becky and all the gang from Mark Twain's memorable classic came to life on the CHS stage.
A musical based on the Adam Sandler '80s love-fest was the fourth summer production. Directed by Justin Holder.
Remake of an early Smokestack production. Neil Simon wrote this modern day retelling of the book of Job from the Old Testament. And yep, it's a comedy! When Joe Benjamin receives a mysterious midnight visitor, all heck breaks loose in his wacky household.
Dorthy, the Scarecrow, and yes...even Toto appeared in this wildly popular musical which saw the wicked witch materialize right in the middle of an astonished audience!
Our third SUMMER THEATRE production, an evening of one acts. Tom Stoppard's "Hound" is a take-off on Agatha Christie type murder-mysteries, and Christopher Durrang's modern classic, "Nightmare" is a surreal dream of a play about everything that can go wrong on the stage. Directed by Dalton Reeves.
The final Smokestack production in the "new" Wheeler Auditorium would be a remake of one of the group's most beloved earlier productions, STEEL MAGNOLIAS.
Larry Shue's modern classic: when a horribly shy man is given the gift of a weekend at a secluded bed-and-breakfast, he concocts a scheme to make the other guests leave him alone. He'll convince them he is a foreigner who doesn't speak English. But the plan backfires when he overhears a plot...a plot to overthrow the U.S. government!!! Now he and a small group of local misfits must band together to stop the KKK itself!
The most popular show in Smokestack history, selling out four consecutive nights! Grease is the wildly infectious story of Danny Zuko, a young tough who's heart melts when he meets Sandy, a girl from the other side of the tracks. "Greased Lighting", one of the more popular songs from the show, featured a full-size 1958 Studdebaker on stage!
A remake of the first show ever produced in the "new" Wheeler Auditorium, THE CRUCIBLE is Arthur Miller's tragedy about the true-life Salem Witchcraft Trials.
A nostalgic look back at the decade of the '80s in this parady of all things high school.
Based on the Frank Capra holiday classic, "Wonderful Life" is the story of George Bailey, a man who's life has slowly spiraled out of control and the angel who shows up one Christmas Eve claiming she can give him just what he needs: a chance to see what the world would have been like if he'd never been born.
In a town experiencing a terrible drought, the Curry family has struggles of their own, including a daughter with no self-esteem. Their lives are interrupted when a fast talking stranger enters their lives...claiming he can bring rain.
Based on the hit Kevin Bacon film of the same name, Footloose is the story of a town where dancing is illegal...until a new kid shows up encouraging the townspeople to cut loose...footloose!
A ridiculously wild comedy of errors! When two guests arrive at a lavish dinner party and find their hostess missing and the host shot (through the ear-lobe), it's only the beginning of the most laugh out loud comedy in Neil Simon's catalog!
2005 (Spring) - Pink: The '80s Revisited!
A romantic comedy-drama about love and social cliques in a 1980s American high school...
A romantic comedy-drama about love and social cliques in a 1980s American high school...
2004 (Fall) - To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee's stunning masterpiece about growing up in the South during the depression came to the CHS stage. Atticus Finch is trying to raise two children and work as his town's most respected lawyer. When a case involving heavy racial undertones is handed to him, he realizes he may be the only man standing between justice and a town ready to explode.
Harper Lee's stunning masterpiece about growing up in the South during the depression came to the CHS stage. Atticus Finch is trying to raise two children and work as his town's most respected lawyer. When a case involving heavy racial undertones is handed to him, he realizes he may be the only man standing between justice and a town ready to explode.
2004 (Spring) - Godspell
To celebrate the theatre group's tenth anniversary, two of its early shows were re-done, including this title, the first Broadway musical in school history.
To celebrate the theatre group's tenth anniversary, two of its early shows were re-done, including this title, the first Broadway musical in school history.
2003 (Fall) - Wait Until Dark
Our remake of the 1st ever Smokestack production, Frederick Knott's thriller about a blind woman terrorized by three con men, one of whom may just be a psychopathic serial killer.
Our remake of the 1st ever Smokestack production, Frederick Knott's thriller about a blind woman terrorized by three con men, one of whom may just be a psychopathic serial killer.
2003 (Spring)- The Nerd
Larry Shue's hilarious yarn about everybody's worst nightmare: a dinner guest who shows up unexpectedly...and simply won't leave! The homeowners decide there's only one real way to get rid of the fellow: to make him believe that THEY are even weirder than he. No small task!
Larry Shue's hilarious yarn about everybody's worst nightmare: a dinner guest who shows up unexpectedly...and simply won't leave! The homeowners decide there's only one real way to get rid of the fellow: to make him believe that THEY are even weirder than he. No small task!
2002 (Fall) - The Goodbye Girl
Neil Simon's 1978 Academy Award winning movie (Richard Dryfuss-best actor) came to the CHS stage...as a musical! When a dancer and her young daughter are forced to share their NYC apartment with an actor, the sparks fly...and soon the romance blossoms!
Neil Simon's 1978 Academy Award winning movie (Richard Dryfuss-best actor) came to the CHS stage...as a musical! When a dancer and her young daughter are forced to share their NYC apartment with an actor, the sparks fly...and soon the romance blossoms!
2002 (Spring) - The Boys Next Door
A heartwarming comedy/drama about six mentally challenged young men and the caretaker who tries to keep their lives together.
A heartwarming comedy/drama about six mentally challenged young men and the caretaker who tries to keep their lives together.
2001 (Fall) - A Few Good Men
The Tom Cruise/Jack Nicholson film was originally a stage-play. Lt. Dan Kaffe is a brash young lawyer in the Navy who cares little about anything except getting out and getting on with life. But when a murder case is handed to him...one that such an inexperienced lawyer should never have been considered for, he realizes that the case is far less "open and close" than it appears...and that very high ranking individuals WANT him to lose.
The Tom Cruise/Jack Nicholson film was originally a stage-play. Lt. Dan Kaffe is a brash young lawyer in the Navy who cares little about anything except getting out and getting on with life. But when a murder case is handed to him...one that such an inexperienced lawyer should never have been considered for, he realizes that the case is far less "open and close" than it appears...and that very high ranking individuals WANT him to lose.
2001 (Spring) - Proposals
Neil Simon's most mature of comedies; it's the story of a family who have spent every summer of their lives at this vacation home, and the emotions that rise as they realize that this time will be their last.
Neil Simon's most mature of comedies; it's the story of a family who have spent every summer of their lives at this vacation home, and the emotions that rise as they realize that this time will be their last.
2000 (Fall) - A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens' classic about miserly old Ebonezer Scrooge. His world is turned upside down when one Christmas Eve, the ghost of his only friend turns up offering Ebonezer has one last chance at redemption; but to get it, he'll have to face his worst nightmares, all in one night!
Charles Dickens' classic about miserly old Ebonezer Scrooge. His world is turned upside down when one Christmas Eve, the ghost of his only friend turns up offering Ebonezer has one last chance at redemption; but to get it, he'll have to face his worst nightmares, all in one night!
2000 (Spring) - Man of La Mancha
When poet Cervantes is thrown into jail for crimes against the state, he resorts to defending himself in the way he knows best: by weaving the tale about a crazy old man who thinks he's a knight in shinning armor..."Don Quixote".
When poet Cervantes is thrown into jail for crimes against the state, he resorts to defending himself in the way he knows best: by weaving the tale about a crazy old man who thinks he's a knight in shinning armor..."Don Quixote".
1999 (Fall) - Frankenstein
Mary Shelly had a nightmare and woke up the next morning to write this story of a creature searching for his creator. The set featured foggy graves, flashing laboratory lights, and a dungeon.
Mary Shelly had a nightmare and woke up the next morning to write this story of a creature searching for his creator. The set featured foggy graves, flashing laboratory lights, and a dungeon.
1999 (Spring) - Butterflies Are Free
Our original production was the first Smokestack show ever performed "in-the-round". In addition, a corridor was constructed which audiences had to pass through to get onstage. It featured black lights/posters, burning incense and blaring Jimi Hendrix music!
Our original production was the first Smokestack show ever performed "in-the-round". In addition, a corridor was constructed which audiences had to pass through to get onstage. It featured black lights/posters, burning incense and blaring Jimi Hendrix music!
1998 (Fall) - Steel Magnolias
Robert Harling's modern classic about the zany inhabitants of Truvy's Beauty Shop and the not so funny situation they find themselves in when one of their own faces a life or death choice.
Robert Harling's modern classic about the zany inhabitants of Truvy's Beauty Shop and the not so funny situation they find themselves in when one of their own faces a life or death choice.
1998 (Spring) - Catfish Moon
Catfish Moon was only the second show performed at the (then) new Wheeler Auditorium. We think that this production was also the FIRST production of the show ever done in the state of Tennessee.
Catfish Moon was only the second show performed at the (then) new Wheeler Auditorium. We think that this production was also the FIRST production of the show ever done in the state of Tennessee.
1997 (Fall) - The Crucible
Arthur Miller's classic was inspired by the McCarthy "red scare" of the 1950s, but it concerns the Salem Witchcraft Trials of 1692. The large cast production was the first ever in the then new Wheeler Auditorium.
Arthur Miller's classic was inspired by the McCarthy "red scare" of the 1950s, but it concerns the Salem Witchcraft Trials of 1692. The large cast production was the first ever in the then new Wheeler Auditorium.
1997 (Spring) - Godspell
The last show produced in the original Wheeler auditorium (less than a month before the building was demolished) was the first Broadway musical in school history.
The last show produced in the original Wheeler auditorium (less than a month before the building was demolished) was the first Broadway musical in school history.
1996 (Fall) - The Diary of Anne Frank
As the house lights dimmed, the audience heard marching outside in the hallway, then loud banging on the theatre doors and shouts in German. Soon, the marching receded down the hall, and the actress playing Anne stood up and lit a candle. "It's not safe here, but I know a place. Follow me." She led the surprised audience down a darkened hallway and into a much smaller room...as if taking them into that infamous attic itself. Then, and only then, did THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK begin.
As the house lights dimmed, the audience heard marching outside in the hallway, then loud banging on the theatre doors and shouts in German. Soon, the marching receded down the hall, and the actress playing Anne stood up and lit a candle. "It's not safe here, but I know a place. Follow me." She led the surprised audience down a darkened hallway and into a much smaller room...as if taking them into that infamous attic itself. Then, and only then, did THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK begin.
1996 (Spring) - The Rainmaker
Set in a drought-ridden rural town in the West in Depression-era America, The Rainmaker tells the story of a pivotal hot summer day in the life of spinsterish Lizzie Curry.
Set in a drought-ridden rural town in the West in Depression-era America, The Rainmaker tells the story of a pivotal hot summer day in the life of spinsterish Lizzie Curry.
1995 (Fall) - Deathtrap
Ira Levin's diabolical thriller became only the fourth Smokestack production. A washed-up playwrite of murder mysteries is sent a brilliant script by a first time author. It isn't long until the older man begins to think of stealing the play...and comitting real murder. Unfortunately only one known photograph was taken of the show. It is being tracked down and will be added soon.
Ira Levin's diabolical thriller became only the fourth Smokestack production. A washed-up playwrite of murder mysteries is sent a brilliant script by a first time author. It isn't long until the older man begins to think of stealing the play...and comitting real murder. Unfortunately only one known photograph was taken of the show. It is being tracked down and will be added soon.
1995 (Spring) - God's Favorite
Neil Simon's modern-day retelling of the book of Job was the group's 3rd production; it featured a set that had to go from gorgeous to burn-to-the-ground...all during a ten minute intermission!
Neil Simon's modern-day retelling of the book of Job was the group's 3rd production; it featured a set that had to go from gorgeous to burn-to-the-ground...all during a ten minute intermission!
1994 (Fall) - Our Town
The small town of Grover's Corner is the fictional setting for this classic coming-of-age story.
The small town of Grover's Corner is the fictional setting for this classic coming-of-age story.
1994 (Spring) - Wait Until Dark
Suzy Hendrix is a blind woman living as normal a life as possible in New York. But that life is turned upside down when she inadvertantly comes into possession of a doll...a doll that men are willing to kill to possess. When three of them show up, claiming to be friends of the family, Suzy slowly begins to realize that they are not who they seem, and that her very life will depend on figuring out the mystery!
Suzy Hendrix is a blind woman living as normal a life as possible in New York. But that life is turned upside down when she inadvertantly comes into possession of a doll...a doll that men are willing to kill to possess. When three of them show up, claiming to be friends of the family, Suzy slowly begins to realize that they are not who they seem, and that her very life will depend on figuring out the mystery!
Other Photo Albums:
Mr. Davis, Trips, Festivals, Etc.
2015 - New York Trip
Mr. Davis, Trips, Festivals, Etc.
2015 - New York Trip
Poster Collection
A collection of posters, most by CHS alum Angie Gambill. Her artistry helps define each production and creates a great sense of anticipation for each show.
Play Programs, Posters, & Historical Documents (link below):