In partnership with J.C.M. Wink of Dalton, Georgia, the Gem Theater was used for both movies and vaudeville. After extensive renovations in 1927, The Gem had become one of the most beautiful show houses of its size in East Tennessee and North Georgia. A small area in the building was modified to serve as the Gem Drug Store. In 1947 the theater was renamed after being purchased by the Martin Theater chain. The building was later purchased and re-sold between local businessmen until eventually purchased by the city of

Etowah, Tennessee in 1993. Today the theater is almost restored to its original condition through volunteer work, grants, donations and monetary community support.

The Gem Players who consist of local talent from around the East Tennessee region, formed a board of directors and have been performing quality dramas, comedies and musicals at the theater since 1993.

The Gem Players produce at least four productions a year and are the official resident theater company of Etowah, Tennessee. They are members of Tennesseans for the Arts, American Association of Community Theaters, Tennessee Theater Association and Etowah Chamber of Commerce.

Since their first performance of Arsenic and Old Lace, they have performed 30 productions of comedy, drama and musicals including such classics as Annie Get your Gun, The King and I, Steel Magnolias, The Sound of Music, Barefoot in the Park, Oliver and most recently, My Fair Lady. Each performance usually runs three weekends, 7:30 Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30pm Sundays.

The theater itself with its old time charm blends in well with the small town atmosphere and antique shops of downtown Etowah.

The traditional billboard outside the theater announces the current or next performance, posters in the windows feature past shows and theater history. The old time charm of the theater is what first drew me to attend one of the Gem Players

performances. Being presented at the time was a comedy "Over the River and Through the Woods," The show's quality and the professionalism of the players were so outstanding in this very amusing play that when it was discovered that this year "My Fair Lady" was on the billboard, a visit could not be resisted.

Again, this musical was impressive to say the least and the acting and singing a delight. The costumes were very spectacular and the British accents so convincing it was like being in London. Normally, to find theater of this caliber would require driving miles to one of our larger cities, yet here it is, right here in Etowah. Accompanying me were relatives from England, both agreed that the performance was as good as any they had seen in London's West End theater district.

The Gem Players 2005 performances will include The Odd Couple (Female version),  scheduled to run in August, To Kill a Mockingbird, in October and Smoke on the Mountain, for November and December. Tickets are inexpensive, general admission with no reserved seating. Musicals: Adults $10, Children 10 and under $8. Non-musicals: Adults $8, Children 10 and under $6. Auditions to become one of the Gem Players are open to people of all ages and are held approximately two months prior to opening night.

For more information call (423) 263-3270 or go to the Gem Theater's website at www.gemplayers.com
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