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Anneliese Childress, this year’s Laughing Horse Arts
Foundation’s
McGiffen Award recipient, is directing the witty “Smoke on the
Mountain.” Mix the style of a Broadway Musical with the story of a
Saturday-night gospel sing in a rural church, and the result is a hit
production. The show, conceived by Alan Bailey and written by Connie
Ray, was called "A charming and funny celebration of Americana" by
The
New York Times. This show has the homespun simplicity and small-town
flavor of A Prairie Home Companion, and it is appropriate for all ages.
After a year-and-a-half run off-Broadway in the Lamb Theatre in New
York, "Smoke on the Mountain has been performed on about 250 stages
across the nation -- making it the second-most-performed play in
regional theaters.
Set in the 1930s, Smoke on the Mountain 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.
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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".
The story, conceived by Alan Bailey and written by Connie Ray, is an
extremely well rendered one. Rather than just a concert of old-time
Christian hymns, Smoke On The Mountain is truly a musical. The
characters are well developed and realistic, there is sufficient back
story, and the dialogue is never trite. Many of the songs supply further
clarification or reinforcement of the book and personal stories
provided. The presentation of the characters' faith and beliefs is
inspiring and personal, yet never preachy.
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Valley Musical Theatre (VMT) announced that the following
actors and
musicians have been cast in VMT’s summer production of Smoke on The
Mountain. The show, which the New York Times called "A charming and
funny celebration of Americana,” will be directed by Anneliese
Childress, with music direction by Gwen Shipley.
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