Smoke on the Mountain at Theatre Charlotte

Theatre Charlotte will present the rollicking musical SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN May 6-9; 12-16; and 19-23, 2010.  With book by Constance Ray, conceived by Alan Bailey and musical arrangements by Mike Craver and Mark Hardwick, SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN incorporates more than two dozen songs, many of them vintage pop hymns into a richly entertaining evening that is recommended for the entire family.  Wednesday and Thursday  performances are at 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturdays at 8 pm and Sundays at 2:30 pm.

This musical was a hit off-Broadway in NYC and has played to sold-out houses throughout the US.  It takes place on a Saturday night, 1938, in Mount Pleasant, NC.  The Reverend Oglethrope (played by Winston Sims, seen last fall in Theatre Charlotte’s SEUSSICAL) has invited the Sanders Family Singers to provide an uplifting evening of singing and witnessing.  The audience is invited to pull up a pew and join in the rousing good time.  The show is filled with hilarious stories from the more or less devout Sanders Family, back together and performing again after several years of discord.  Productions of the show have had audiences clapping, singing, laughing and cheering.


The Sanders Family Singers are led by the father, Burl Sanders (portrayed by Kevin Roberge, who last spring had the lead in Theatre Charlotte’s THE FULL MONTY) and mother, Vera (played by Sloane Wood, recently seen in NUNSENSE at the Old Courthouse Theatre in Concord).  Other members of the Family are daughter June (played by Meredith Owen, making her Theatre Charlotte debut), twins Denise (portrayed by Sara Johnson, recent graduate of Catawba College and also making her debut at Theatre Charlotte) and Dennis (played by Nicholas de la Canal, seen in Theatre Charlotte’s SEUSSICAL) and Uncle Stanley (performed by Matthew Corbett, recently seen as the Governor/Innkeeper in CPCC’s MAN OF LA MANCHA).

The production is directed by Corey Mitchell, theatre teacher at Northwest School of the Arts.  Corey has appeared in many Theatre Charlotte productions, including the hit musical revue SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ.  He also directed HAVING OUR SAY, based on the book by the Delaney Sisters and co-produced by Theatre Charlotte’s Stage 501 and the Afro American Cultural Center.  Music Director is Ryan Deal.  Ryan has appeared at Theatre Charlotte as the Mayor of Whoville in SEUSSICAL and as Young Ebenezer in Theatre Charlotte’s A CHRISTMAS CAROL.  The set design is by Adam York, lighting design by Rick Moll, technical direction by Chris Timmons and stage manager is Sabrina Blanks.

Tickets are available on line at www.carolinatix.org or 704-372-1000.  Adult ticket prices are $24, seniors $20, students (12 through college) $10 and children (6-11—not recommended for a child under age 6) $7.

Theatre Charlotte, the oldest arts organization in Charlotte, is a volunteer-based community theatre dedicated to creating outstanding theatre opportunities relevant to the people of the Charlotte region.  Theatre Charlotte is committed to making theatre relevant in the lives of more people by demonstrating that theatre engages, inspires and unites community.

Contact:  Ron Law, ron@theatrecharlotte.org or 704-376-3777.