Published: May 08, 2008 01:21 pm         

Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming is well-worth the viewing

By Pat Robbennolt

Chronicle contributor



Two mandolins, two guitars, a banjo, a bass, a violin, a piano and let’s not forget the accordion — those instruments in the hands of talented artists adorn the Adventure Theater stage at the Playhouse as Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming takes on a new life. Like many of you, I have seen, and continue to love Smoke on the Mountain and the Sanders family. Could this show be much different from those of the past? The answer is a resounding “Yes!” These shows depend on the cast functioning as an ensemble. This cast seemed to this reviewer to have truly captured that cohesiveness of mutual action and concern.

Daniel Black both directs and plays Dennis. He is at his best in these combination roles. He has assembled a fine cast. As Dennis, he gives us a remarkable soliloquy mourning of the loss of a war buddy who had worked so hard to save so many. He has definitely developed into a gospel preacher since we first met him. His “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho” is a high point in the show.

Anne Staler is quite amazing as June, the member of the Sanders family who signs rather than sings. Now the wife of the Rev. Oglethorpe, June is very pregnant. Staler has watched the walk and movements of many a pregnant woman. She has captured the walk in an amazing way. While I do not sign myself, there is an authenticity in her use of the language that I deeply appreciated. (I look forward to my daughter, who does sign, seeing the production.) Staler brings an over-excitable Olene to the stage in First Baptist Church at Ivy Gap. This role is quite different, requiring her to relate to her parents, her siblings, her uncle and her husband, each differently as she faces leaving the family nest.

This the second show for Ashley Pankow as a member of the resident company. She plays Sammy, struggling for acceptance and love in First Baptist Church of Ivy Gap. Her role as Denise is the least defined in the script. She must constantly relate to “Weldon” and “Eldon” and her husband, Don. She handles the drama of our anticipation of meeting her twins skillfully. She must appear at one moment as the over-confident mother of three year olds and the next as an insecure parent wondering what to do about them. She must project herself both as the unappreciated executive of her husband’s company, as Vera’s little girl and as the twin of Dennis who is just beginning a whole new phase of his life.

Another new face on the Adventure Theater stage is Lauren Marshall who plays Vera, the matriarch of the clan. A 2007 graduate with a bachelor's degree in fine arts, what she lacks in years, she makes up for in skill. She is a talented violinist and pianist, moving easily from one instrument to the other. Her fine voice blends into the harmony of the cast in a manner that is startlingly beautiful. Her children’s story about the planes in “God’s Air Show” is hilarious.

After several years of watching Tommy Hancock play Stanley, it is a joy to have him play Burl Sanders. I cherish the opportunity to hear the resonance of his remarkable voice. His soliloquy on debt and the government land program is deeply moving. He struggles to be true to the pride he has in his heritage and face the opportunity he has to have the land he loves be his own.

It is always a treat to have Jason Ross on stage. His Rev. Oglethorpe is very much in love with his wife but struggling to leave behind the place and the people he loves. Yet, he feels God is calling him to a remote Texas location. He tells us “If Jesus can go into the wilderness, so can I,” adding "I’m going to lasso me some sinners.” The “Homecoming” for Dennis and Stanley is also a send-off for Mervin and June. Ross hams up the gospel song “Everything You’ll Need.” His singing of “Standing on the Promises of God” and attempting to cover the noise of the three-year-olds in the background, is a delight.

We are grateful that Blake Holmes brought his version of Stanley, considered by most to be the black sheep of the clan, to our stage. His voice and his talented work on a variety of instruments add much. His song “Come Around” was especially fine. Black’s careful direction is obvious as we watch Burl’s body language while Stanley tells of the times he has been lost, the many examples of intending to do better, yet failing the next time, too. The interaction between the two brothers reaches a tender high point as Burl passes Stanley his guitar. This act of welcome back to the family is stronger than any words.

This is a show that explores changing family relationships as the years past. It asks how we can relate to one another in new ways. Will Mervin and June’s baby arrive before they leave? Will they travel safely to Texas? Was God really calling Mervin there? Maybe there will be yet another sequel. Until then, enjoy this show!