Since the first of July, the First Christian Church of Newton has been hard at work getting ready for their upcoming musical comedy, “Smoke on the Mountain.” As a part of their sesquicentennial celebration, the church is putting on their first ever musical at the suggestion of their Pastor Mark Young.
“It’s a musical that is always down in Branson, and the pastor has seen it down there,” Cathi Wickett, Director of Music said.
The cast and crew, who all have previous experience with musicals and performing, consists of members of the church with one exception.
Smoke on the Mountain is the story of a Saturday Night Gospel Sing at a country church in North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains in 1938. The story is focused around the Sanders family, a traveling group returning after a five-year hiatus, performing at the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. The church’s Pastor Oglethorpe hopes to bring his tiny congregation into “the modern world” with hesitation from the parishioners.
While in between song, the Sanders “witnessed” telling important stories in their lives and trying to seem perfect in the eyes of the congregation, who wanted to be inspired by their songs. One things after another goes awry and their imperfect and hilarious natures are revealed.
By the evening’s close, the Sanders family has revealed their weaknesses and shared their triumphs, endearing themselves to the congregation and the crowd alike.
The ensemble cast performs groups numbers as well as solos and duets along with their acting sequences. The cast includes: Scott Shaeffer, Kathy Smith, Jim Sears, Kristine Perkins, Steve Barnett, Kathy Ashburn, John Dougan, Sue Pickett, Joyce Guthrie and Cheyenne Schaeffer with Greta Wallace on piano, Steve Kastli playing the banjo and guitar and Fred Chabot on bass.
Opening night begins at 7 p.m. on Sept. 27 at the First Christian Church, 314 E. Second St. N. Two additional performances will be at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sept. 28. A freewill donation is accepted and all in the community are welcome.
Contact Staff Writer Jamee A. Pierson at (641) 792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com.