Imagine flying over Tokyo. The bomb doors open but the armed bomb hangs up on the door. What would you do? Not many survive to tell the tale but one did, and his story along with others who fought in Europe and the Pacific are told in "I Wasn’t No Hero: Stories of those who fought World War II" on the CircleStage of the Chattanooga Theatre Centre September 2 – 17, 2011.

Louis Varnell, Director of the Southeast Veteran's Museum, has collected these stories for years directly from the veterans themselves and now shares them with Chattanooga Theatre Centre audiences in a hair-raising, sometimes touching and funny, one-man show.

Chuck Tuttle directs "I Wasn’t No Hero," which tells true stories of the European Theatre in the first act and from the war in the Pacific in act two. Varnell, a historian who has consulted with film companies, re-enactors and other groups to verify accuracy of costumes and military details, appears in the play dressed in authentic uniforms correct to the smallest detail. Artifacts from the Museum add realism to the stories.

Performances of "I Wasn’t No Hero: Stories from those who fought World War II" will be Friday and Saturday at 8:00 September 2 – 17 on the CircleStage at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre. Special events during the run of the show include the following:

  • Friday, September 2: Opening night reception at 7:00 p.m. before the 8:00 curtain.
  • Saturday, September 3: Real-time captioning for deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons sponsored by the Hearing Loss Association of Hamilton County and Barnett & Company.
  • Friday, September 9: Talk Back with Louis Varnell and Chuck Tuttle after the show. Ask questions and discuss the stories and the production.
  • Friday, September 16: "Girls’ Night Out" at the Canteen sponsored by Brewer Media with complimentary snacks and beverages beginning at 7:00 before the 8:00 curtain.

Tickets are $18 for the general public and $9 for veterans and for those currently serving in the U.S. Military. There is a $2 fee for parking. For tickets, call the box office at 423-267-8534 or purchase tickets online at www.TheatreCentre.com. Specially priced Veterans’ tickets must be purchased by phone or in person.