‘Smoke on the Mountain’ returns to Playhouse

Free summer concert series kicks off Sunday

“Smoke On the Mountain,” a favorite of audiences at Cumberland County Playhouse, 221 Tennessee Ave. in Crossville, Tenn., opens Friday, June 2, continuing through Thursday, Aug. 10. The popular bluegrass/gospel musical has played to sold-out crowds for 24 years at the Playhouse.

This season’s production is anchored by Playhouse veterans Daniel Black (“Million Dollar Quartet”) and Lauren Marshall (“The Odd Couple”) as Burl and Vera Sanders. Joining them are Jensen Crain- Foster (“The Addams Family”) as June Sanders, along with Cory Clark (“The Little Mermaid”) and DeeAnna Etchison (“Gypsy”) as twins Dennis and Denise Sanders.

Brett Mutter (“A Sanders Family Christmas”) plays the Rev. Mervin Oglethorpe. Rounding out the Sanders family is Joseph Wilson (“Mamma Mia”) as Uncle Stanley.

“’ Smoke on the Mountain’ is one of my all-time favorites, and this year I’m thrilled to welcome Cory and DeeAnna as the newest members of the Sanders family,” says director Weslie Webster. “Both DeeAnna and Cory started at the Playhouse as students, then each worked four years as interns. After graduating from college, each of them has returned as a resident company member.”

“Smoke”is set in Mount Pleasant, N.C., on a Saturday night. The Rev. Oglethorpe, enthusiastic new minister of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, has invited the Sanders Family Singers to provide an uplifting evening of song. The audience becomes the congregation as the Sanderses weave together two dozen traditional and original hymns, along with their stories of witness, serving them up with heaping helpings of laughter.

Under the scrutiny of a congregation that’s skeptical about the whole notion of a “Saturday Night Sing,” one thing after another goes awry as the Sanders family reveal their true – and hilariously imperfect – natures. The honesty, humor and faith of this beloved Playhouse musical connects with audiences of all ages and faiths.

Tickets for the G-rated musical are $27 adults, $25 senior adults, $22 groups/military and $14 students/children.

Also opening this weekend, is the free Summer Concert Series on the Playhouse’s outdoor stage. James Crowley and Friends will kick off the music series Sunday, June 4, at 6 p.m.

Concertgoers can come early and buy food from the B&B Chuckwagon.

For more information: 931-484-5000.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO DeeAnna Etchison, left, and Cory Clark star as twins Denise and Dennis Sanders in “Smoke on the Mountain,” opening Friday at Cumberland County Playhouse in Crossville, Tenn. The musical comedy continues through Aug. 10.