September 15-25, 2022

Book by Constance Ray. Conceived by Alan Bailey. Musical arrangements by Mike Craver and Mark Hardwick.

Directed by: Chris Cotten

Music Direction by: Katy Cotten

Stage Manager: Emma White

Arts Access ticket availability: September 15, 17, and 22.

Set in the 1930s, this musical tale introduces the singing Sanders family, who perform their traditional and bluegrass gospel songs for the members of the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant, NC. Pastor Oglethorpe welcomes the family to the church, where their individual stories and beliefs are shared during the concert. The audience serves as the members of the congregation.

The score of Smoke on the Mountain consists of almost thirty gospel tunes, all of which could have been performed at the time by such a group. There is a pleasant mixture of energetic rousing numbers, plaintive hymns, and soulful praise songs. The songs vary from the well known, such as “Amazing Grace” and “I’ll Fly Away,” to the more obscure ones, such as “Filling Station” and “Christian Cowboy”.

CAST LIST:

Burl — Chris Cotten

Vera — Lorraine Cotten

Denise — Katy Cotten

Dennis — Court Nixon

June — Amy Nabors

Stanley — Doug Smith 

Mervin — Brent Strauss