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nner Volume XXXVJJI, Number 11 A Publication of the Students of California Baptist College April 21,1994 Smoke on the Mountain offers a look in the mirror By Robyn Seven Guest Writer This Spring's production of Smoke on the Mountain, presented by the drama department of California Baptist College, was performed April 8,9 and 15,16 and offered considerable comic relief to its audiences. Step back in time to the United States of the year 1938, to Mt. Pleasant, North Carolina, in particular, for an hour and a half or so of song, fun, and with a little thought, a look in the mirror. Times are hard, and the church is a welcome refuge from the troubles of the world, even when those troubles have a habit of poking their noses right into the middle of the goings-on, or worse, pre empting the start of the festivities. Pastor Oglethorpe is waiting desperately for the Sanders family to make their promised appearance in his church, when, unknown to him their delay is caused by an unlikely accident resulting from the spillage of thousands of pickles into the road upon which their bus is driving. That is the premise and jumping-off point of Smoke on the Mountain, a pleasant comedy mixing a bit of farce, a dash of satire, with broad strokes of just plain, old-fashioned good humor. The characters are a well- intentioned bunch of broadly played just plain folks types that give the musical its edge. From the beginning it is easy to believe that we are part of the congregation anxiously awaiting the arrival of our evening's special guests. Their arrival is greeted with a mixture of relief and shock that they have had such a narrow escape from harm. But that doesn't phase the Sanders. They launch immediately into a round of songs, testimonies, and outrageous gaffes that make us alternately laugh along with them and at them, empathize with them over misfortunes, clap our hands, and finally, sing along. Burl Sanders, the father was played by Jeremy Hansard who delivered a fine performance on piano. Jerrie Anne Fortune played the mother, Vera Sanders. The twins were played by Andrew Shirley and Lisa Alexander. Shirley brought his shy and awkward charac ter to life with an hilarious performance. Alexander also acted wonderfully and enhanced her performance with spectacular vocal talents. Stanley, the uncle was played by Phil Esquibel. Esquible played his character with a mellow humor that in the end turned out well. June, the sister, was played by Wendy Slack. Slack assumed the role of a naive, innocent Southern girl which elicited many laughs and chuckles. And a convincing Gary Griffitts played the church preacher, Pastor Oglethorpe The keep-up-with-the- Joneses Scripture-quoting race between Pastor Oglethorpe and Mother Vera is a hoot, as is the little dance number that Denise and June The cast of Smoke on the Mountain from left to right: Andrew Shirley (Dennis Sanders), Jerrie Anne Fortune (Vera Sanders), Phil Esquibel (Stanley Sanders), Gary Griffitts (Pastor Oglethorpe), Lisa Alexander (Denise Sanders), Jeremy Hansard (Burl Sanders), and Wendy Slack (June Sanders). (Photo by Dale Evola) perform that so shocks the congregation, especially the two little old ladies that are the de facto management of the church because of their substantial donations. But the real draws of the play are the music and song performed by this very talented cast. Just about every old time favorite gospel song is there, except Amazing Grace. The pastor sits down at the piano to lead us in "Rock of Ages" while awaiting the Sander's arrival. Every one of the Sanders except June and Uncle Stanley have a go at the piano. They all freely switch between the guitar, bull fiddle, and ukulele. Vera plays the flute. Dennis does the banjo. And before the evening is over the pastor feels compelled to trot out his accordion. Everyone in the cast sings, even little sister June once or twice, though her job is really signing for the deaf, of whom there are none in the congregation. The harmony is close and sweet. The old-time gospel hymns take on an air of rollicking fun that is contagious. And better yet, none of the songs seem pasted on to the action, as is sometimes true with musicals. The production staff did an excellent job as well. The costumes were period perfect, complementing and enhancing the cast's performance. Yocum's direction undoubtedly brought out the best in what already had to be a very strong cast. All in all this was an afternoon well spent. f
Object Description
Title | The Banner, Vol. 38 No. 11 - April 21, 1994 |
Subject | California Baptist University -- Students -- Periodicals. College student newspapers and periodicals -- California. |
Description | The Banner is the student newspaper of California Baptist University. It has been in continuous publication since 1952. |
Creator | California Baptist University |
Date | April 21 1994 |
Type | Text |
Language | en |
Rights | Copyright California Baptist University. All Rights Reserved. |
Description
Title | 1994-04-21-001 |
Transcript | nner Volume XXXVJJI, Number 11 A Publication of the Students of California Baptist College April 21,1994 Smoke on the Mountain offers a look in the mirror By Robyn Seven Guest Writer This Spring's production of Smoke on the Mountain, presented by the drama department of California Baptist College, was performed April 8,9 and 15,16 and offered considerable comic relief to its audiences. Step back in time to the United States of the year 1938, to Mt. Pleasant, North Carolina, in particular, for an hour and a half or so of song, fun, and with a little thought, a look in the mirror. Times are hard, and the church is a welcome refuge from the troubles of the world, even when those troubles have a habit of poking their noses right into the middle of the goings-on, or worse, pre empting the start of the festivities. Pastor Oglethorpe is waiting desperately for the Sanders family to make their promised appearance in his church, when, unknown to him their delay is caused by an unlikely accident resulting from the spillage of thousands of pickles into the road upon which their bus is driving. That is the premise and jumping-off point of Smoke on the Mountain, a pleasant comedy mixing a bit of farce, a dash of satire, with broad strokes of just plain, old-fashioned good humor. The characters are a well- intentioned bunch of broadly played just plain folks types that give the musical its edge. From the beginning it is easy to believe that we are part of the congregation anxiously awaiting the arrival of our evening's special guests. Their arrival is greeted with a mixture of relief and shock that they have had such a narrow escape from harm. But that doesn't phase the Sanders. They launch immediately into a round of songs, testimonies, and outrageous gaffes that make us alternately laugh along with them and at them, empathize with them over misfortunes, clap our hands, and finally, sing along. Burl Sanders, the father was played by Jeremy Hansard who delivered a fine performance on piano. Jerrie Anne Fortune played the mother, Vera Sanders. The twins were played by Andrew Shirley and Lisa Alexander. Shirley brought his shy and awkward charac ter to life with an hilarious performance. Alexander also acted wonderfully and enhanced her performance with spectacular vocal talents. Stanley, the uncle was played by Phil Esquibel. Esquible played his character with a mellow humor that in the end turned out well. June, the sister, was played by Wendy Slack. Slack assumed the role of a naive, innocent Southern girl which elicited many laughs and chuckles. And a convincing Gary Griffitts played the church preacher, Pastor Oglethorpe The keep-up-with-the- Joneses Scripture-quoting race between Pastor Oglethorpe and Mother Vera is a hoot, as is the little dance number that Denise and June The cast of Smoke on the Mountain from left to right: Andrew Shirley (Dennis Sanders), Jerrie Anne Fortune (Vera Sanders), Phil Esquibel (Stanley Sanders), Gary Griffitts (Pastor Oglethorpe), Lisa Alexander (Denise Sanders), Jeremy Hansard (Burl Sanders), and Wendy Slack (June Sanders). (Photo by Dale Evola) perform that so shocks the congregation, especially the two little old ladies that are the de facto management of the church because of their substantial donations. But the real draws of the play are the music and song performed by this very talented cast. Just about every old time favorite gospel song is there, except Amazing Grace. The pastor sits down at the piano to lead us in "Rock of Ages" while awaiting the Sander's arrival. Every one of the Sanders except June and Uncle Stanley have a go at the piano. They all freely switch between the guitar, bull fiddle, and ukulele. Vera plays the flute. Dennis does the banjo. And before the evening is over the pastor feels compelled to trot out his accordion. Everyone in the cast sings, even little sister June once or twice, though her job is really signing for the deaf, of whom there are none in the congregation. The harmony is close and sweet. The old-time gospel hymns take on an air of rollicking fun that is contagious. And better yet, none of the songs seem pasted on to the action, as is sometimes true with musicals. The production staff did an excellent job as well. The costumes were period perfect, complementing and enhancing the cast's performance. Yocum's direction undoubtedly brought out the best in what already had to be a very strong cast. All in all this was an afternoon well spent. f |