Now over a century old, the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium is gearing up for another incredible season of Theater. Crafted by Chattanooga’s most renowned architect R.H. Hunt, who also designed the opulent Tivoli Theatre, Memorial Auditorium opened its doors in February 1924, making 2024 its official centennial.
This year's Broadway lineup will roll out in October, featuring crowd favorites such as:
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Moulin Rouge! The Musical (8 performances)
October 22-27, 2024
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Pretty Woman: The Musical (5 performances)
January 24-26, 2025
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Six (8 performances)
February 18-23, 2025
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Hadestown (5 performances)
March 28-30, 2025
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Hamilton (16 performances)
April 22 - May 4, 2025
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Les Misérables (8 performances)
July 22-27, 2025
Not only will visitors get to take in exciting performances, but they will be doing so in a building that has meant much to Chattanoogans for decades.
Standing the Test of Time
The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium was dedicated on Veterans Day, November 11, 1922, as a tribute to the war veterans of Hamilton County. Constructed in the grand Romanesque Revival style, it stands as a timeless memorial to both the past and the community it serves.
The idea that there should be a monument constructed in Chattanooga for the soldiers of WW1 had been conceived at a Kiwanis Club meeting, and in true Chattanooga style, a committee was quickly assembled to “consider” the plan for a "memorial hall," which included well-known Chattanoogans like George H. Patten, and Adolf Ochs’ younger brother, Milton B. Ochs. This idea was likely tied to Chattanooga’s need for a meeting and performance space, as the city’s major auditorium had burned down two years earlier, in 1916.
The dedication program honored, "sons who offered their lives to the Nation's service in the great World War." The building was erected for “posterity, in commemoration of their patriotism, a hall in which mementos of their achievement may rest; an auditorium in which great bodies of our people may assemble for civic service; for the cultivation of the arts; for the promotion of a higher and a broader citizenship.”
The beating heart of the auditorium was its elaborate pipe organ. Petitioned for by the Chattanooga Music Club and constructed by the Austin Organ Company, it cost nearly $3 million in today’s dollars. It attracted one of the most well-known and popular concert organists in the world at that time, Edwin H. Lemare, to help with its design and take a position as Chattanooga’s municipal organist. Lemare's composition Above the Clouds was inspired by the splendor of Lookout Mountain's vibrant foliage and he lovingly dedicated it to Adolf Ochs, who underwrote his salary during his time in the Scenic City. To hear this beautiful piece being played, click here. For more on this organ’s history, you can visit the Chattanooga Music Club’s detailed account here.
For 40 years, the Auditorium was Chattanooga's go-to spot for big events. Its flexible seating made it perfect for everything from boxing and roller derby to ice shows, circuses, and even aquacades. It also hosted dances, banquets, civic meetings, and political rallies.
By the 1960s, years of continuous use had worn the building down, and Memorial Auditorium needed repair. Civic groups like the Kiwanis Club, Chamber of Commerce, and Allied Arts Council led a renovation effort, which the City Commission approved in 1964.
In 1975, Kiss headlined their first show here on September 10 for their Alive! Album. From Prince to Elton John to Johnny Cash, many talented artists have graced this space. The auditorium continues to be an immensely popular space in the city.
In the late 1980s, the well-loved building was due for another renovation. Thanks to a coalition, the community raised public and private donations for an18-month renovation. The Auditorium was rededicated on January 31, 1991.
In July 2007, the auditorium’s historic pipe organ made its triumphant return. After 21 years of careful restoration by the Chattanooga Music Club, this musical giant was rededicated, ready once more to fill the hall with its powerful voice.
From famous entertainers to incredible actors to practiced ballet dancers, to civic leaders and politicians, Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium has been seasoned with the words, notes and passion of some of the most notable figures to pass through Chattanooga. Witness its storied magic by taking in a show this year and immersing yourself in a truly Chattanooga experience.