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Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming Cast: From left to right: front row Marion Anderson and Dewey Coffey; back row, Barry Atkins, David Crandall, Tom Elmore, Bruce Crawford, Patti Spinner,Angie Kimberlin, JoAnn Hayslett. Not shown Kaitlynn Downey, Dustin Bowles, Jodie Bethel, and Dwayne Hall. (Photo courtesy of Masonic Theatre Productions).



Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming presented by Masonic Theatre Productions—the Trilogy Is Complete

 
Clifton Forge, VA (August 25, 2015) - On September 5,6,18 and 19 the Smoke on the Mountain trilogy of plays will complete the story with “Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming”, the third and final episode in the Smoke on the Mountain Trilogy. Wilma McClung, director, states, “Masonic Theatre Productions has presented one play in the series each season at the Masonic Amphitheatre with volunteer local talent and the plays have been well-received and enjoyed. Our audience finds the story of the Sanders family intriguing and entertaining”.

“Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming”, written by Connie Ray, conceived by Alan Bailey and musical arrangements by Mike Carver, takes place in the sanctuary of the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant, NC, just west of Hickory near the Blue Ridge Mountains.  It is Saturday night, October 6, 1945, two months after VJ Day.  The war is over, our boys are home, and the Depression is just a bad memory, and the baby boom has begun.  Mount Pleasant's principal industries are farming and pickle production. The Mount Pleasant Pickle Plant makes everyone and everything smell of vinegar and dill. 

The Sanders Family first performed at Mt. Pleasant Baptist on June 15, 1938 after a five-year hiatus from the Gospel Circuit.  They return to Mt. Pleasant each year until the beginning of the war in 1941.  This is their first performance in four years. But the war is over and they are all back home.

Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming features oldest daughter June, played by Kaitlynn Downey; Pastor Oglethorpe, played by Dustin Bowles;  Denise, played by Angie Kimberlin; Dennis played by Tom Elmore; Uncle Stanley played by David Crandall; Vera played by Patti Griffith Spinner; and Burl played by Bruce Crawford. Angie Kimberlin, Tom Elmore, David Crandall and Patti Griffith Spinner are reprising their rolls in addition to the ever popular Ms. Maude and Ms. Myrtle played by Marion Anderson and Margaret Dewey Coffey respectively. In addition to directing, Wilma McClung handles sound and lighting, set design is by John Hedman and David Crandall provides the musical direction.

Attendees have four opportunities to see the play. Shows are Saturday Sept 5th at 7:00 pm, Sunday Sept 6th at 2:00 pm and Friday and Saturday Sept 18th and 19th at 7:00 pm. Tickets may be purchased at Club Car, Owen’s Pharmacy, Jack Mason’s Tavern, Alleghany Highlands Chamber, Vintage Bouquet, online at HYPERLINK "https://www.historicmasonictheatre.com" www.historicmasonictheatre.com and at the Entrance Tent prior to the performance. Tickets are $7 Adults; $5 Seniors/Military; $3 Students and a Family ticket (two adults, two or more students) is available for $20.00. Children six and under are free of charge.

For more information on the play, Amphitheatre and Masonic Theatre restoration, please visit www.historicmasonictheatre.com and the Historic Masonic Theatre and Amphitheatre Facebook page.
 
 
 

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