Smoke on the Mountain
Sept. 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 2001

Written by Connie Ray, Conceived by Alan Bailey

The play takes place in the sanctuary of the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant, North Carolina, located just west of Hickory near the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is a Saturday night in June, 1938. The United States is in the last years of the great Depression. Organized religion is at its peak.

Mount Pleasant's principal industries are farming and pickle production. The Mount Pleasant Pickle Plant has lately begun laying people off at an alarming rate due to the economy. The factory makes everyone and everything in Mount Pleasant smell of vinegar and dill.

Mount Pleasant Baptist has a membership of 63-64 when Becca Robinson gets baptized next Sunday. Saturday Night Sings by families of gospel singers have become the much needed and highly appreciated entertainment of the time.

Gospel-singing families traditionally sing at one church on Saturday night, then do a few guest appearances on Sunday mornings at other churches in the area. The Sanders are appearing tonight after a five-year hiatus from the gospel-singing circuit. They travel in an ancient bus with The Sanders Family hand-painted on the side.

Cast
Mervin - Bryan Hunter
Burl - Micah McBay
Vera - Chrys Capshaw
Stanley - Tim Sandor
Dennis - Jeb Frost
Denise - Amy Coleman
June - Corrine Book

Production Staff
Director - Michael Cooper
Producer - Vivian Warren
Set Design - Chris Polson
Stage Manager - Pat Harris
Costume Coordination - Penelope Pufahl
Props - Denita McFarland and Shirley Sumpter
Publicity - Jane Bouterse
Show Support - John & Linda Thomas
Lightboard - Jimmy "Smitty" Smith

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