Toe-Tappin' Good Time It's Smoke on the Mountain again

By: By Mary Martin Niepold | SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL
Published: November 08, 2009

There's a stage full of talent over at Twin City Stage, and their production of "Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming," which opened Friday night, is an evening of uplifting fun.

All of the production's actors can play more than one instrument, have strong singing voices, and most have been in the two previous "Smoke" musicals that we've seen from Twin City Stage in recent years.

Put experience, an enthusiastic audience and lovable material together, and you've got just what you need for a hand-clapping, ole time gospel evening at the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, 1945, in a small town in North Carolina.

We learn that this will be the last time that the Sanders family will be singing together at the church, and lives have been changed since we've last seen them. Daughter June is married and pregnant; Burl and Vera, the Sanders parents, are settling down; son Dennis is home from the war; and brother Stanley is mending his free wheeling ways.

It's a simple plot, but what captures the audience is the performers' talent.

Leading the way is Sarah Barnhardt as June, the miming, deadpan daughter who can plaster enough body moves and facial gestures on gospel lyrics to leave the audience in stitches. Ken Kennedy as Burl, the father, sings his heart out (while playing most instruments), and Justin Fain as Rev. Oglethorpe and Margaret B. Gallagher as Vera provide beautiful solos.

There's a lot of love up on that Baptist church stage, the costumes and set are wonderful, and director Bobby Bodford has crafted another good-feeling hit.

Twin City Stage presents Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming at 2 p.m. today, Nov. 15 and 22; and at 8 p.m. today, Nov. 12-14 and Nov.19-22. Tickets are $22, $20 for seniors and $18 for students. Twin City Stage at the Arts Council Theatre, 610 Coliseum Drive. Call 725-4001.