It’s Only Life Musical Coming To The Salvation Army ReCreate Café

  • Tuesday, December 31, 2013

The Salvation Army’s ReCreate Café has partnered with a local group of performers to host the regional premiere of the award-winning musical, It’s Only Life, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 at 7 p.m.

Review for It's Only Life:

Debuting in 2006, It’s Only Life is a musical revue based on the works of renowned composer and lyricist John Bucchino. Its most popular numbers include That Smile, Grateful, and the show’s title song, It’s Only Life. The show touches on themes of yearning, fulfillment, heartbreak, and healing, as shown through the character’s interactions with one another. 

Jonathan Goff directs, with musical direction by Rudy Foster and piano accompaniment by Curtis Jolley.  Mr. Goff and Mr. Foster are also a part of the five member cast, which includes Beth McClary, Jesse Rademacher and Elizabeth Spivey, all from the Chattanooga area and with extensive musical theater experience.

Tenika Dye, the ReCreate Café’s artistic director, serves as the show’s producer and assistant director. The production team includes Kimberly Skoda for choreography and Phillip Hartsuiker for stage management. 

Mr. Goff says, “John Bucchino is one of the few artists who can capture the human spirit with profound insight and beauty. It’s Only Life will strike many Chattanooga theater goers as unique because it is forward-looking and refreshingly authentic. We are so excited to bring this piece to Chattanooga for the first time.” 

The Salvation Army’s ReCreate Café Arts Program has two focuses: to provide the homeless population of Chattanooga with creative and artistic opportunities for entertainment or self-expression, and to provide the café as an affordable venue for area artists to perform.  

The production is underwritten by the sponsorship of Chick-fil-A at Gunbarrel Pointe. 

Tickets are $10 for the general public and $7 for students and seniors. They are available at the door or online at iolchattanooga.brownpapertickets.com. The ReCreate Café is at 800 McCallie Ave. across from the UTC campus.   

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/recreatecafearts or contact Tenika Dye, ReCreate Café artistic director, at 305-6208 or by email to tenika_dye@uss.salvationarmy.org.

Entertainment
Best Of Grizzard: Pulitzer Prize
Best Of Grizzard: Pulitzer Prize
  • 6/27/2025

Due to the overwhelming outpouring of community support following a prior article on Friday the Thirteenth, “Badly Behaving Pets”, it became obvious that the public is more interested in “pet ... more

Pops On The River Returns July 3 With Fireworks, Live Music And Family Fun
  • 6/26/2025

The city of Chattanooga announces the return of Pops on the River on Thursday, July 3, at Coolidge Park. This summer celebration brings the community together for an evening filled with live ... more

2 Local Jewel Awards Winners Performed On Broadway This Week
  • 6/26/2025

Two local theatre students, Jazhel Arostegui and RC Moore, represented Chattanooga in the national Jimmy Awards competition and performed in New York City on Broadway as winners of this year’s ... more