A Sanders Family Christmas
The Center for the Arts
production archive
Sanders Family Christmas
the sequel to Smoke on the Mountain
November 27th – December 20th, 2009
A Sanders Family Christmas
A Sanders Family Christmas
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MURFREESBORO, TN—They’re back! The Sanctified Sanders Family Singers return to the Center for the Arts to celebrate the holidays with faith, family and old-fashioned fun. This heavenly evening of laughter and music begins public previews on November 27th and continues through December 20.
It’s Christmas Eve in 1941. The Depression is coming to a close, but 18 days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the threat of war has just begun. World War II provides the dramatic underpinning to the story of a family living in the rural town of Mount Pleasant, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. They are about to say a bittersweet goodbye to their only son, who is shipping out with the Marine Corps. But before he goes, the Sanders Family Singers are heading up the annual Christmas celebration at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church.
Rev. Mervin Oglethorpe (who works part-time at the local pickle plant) and the Sanders family attempt to raise the spirits of their faithful flock (the audience) in a rousing and energetic Christmas gospel sing-along of cherished holiday hymns and carols. There’s Uncle Stanley; the family’s patriarch, Burl, and his Scripture-quoting wife, Vera; the twins Dennis and Denise and their sister June (she doesn’t sing, she signs).
Conceived and directed by <em>Alan Bailey</em> and written by <em>Connie Ray</em>, <strong>A SANDERS FAMILY CHRISTMAS</strong> is a nostalgic comedy set to music and the second of three installments of the Sanders family’s life.
Returning to this season’s production are several <strong>SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN</strong> veterans including David Cummings, who portrays Rev. Mervin Oglethorpe, John Blankenship, who is also directing, will return as Burl Sanders , Fran Gebuhr returns as Vera Sanders, David Winton as Dennis Sanders and Kristen Linton as Denise Sanders. New to the Center’s cast are Rachael Parker, playing the role of June Sanders, and David Blankenship as Stanley Sanders.
Prices for <strong>A SANDERS FAMILY CHRISTMAS</strong> are $14 for Adults, $12 for Seniors (65+), Active Military (with ID) and Students (12-18 or with valid ID), and $10 for Children under 12. The Center will hold performances Nov. 27, 28, 29,; Dec. 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, and 20. Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, then at 2 p.m. on Sundays.
Show Sponsors
show sponsors will be listed here – IE Special thanks to the following contributors for helping to make "production title" a success.
Production Crew
- Director: John Blankenship
- Music Director: Fran Gebuhr
- Stage crew:
- Photographer: Angela Ford, & Karen Burton
- Videographer: Phillip Brackett
A Sanders Family Christmas Cast List
- in order of appearance
- Mervin Oglethorpe – David Cummings
- June Sanders – Rachel Parker
- Burl Sanders – John Blankenship
- Vera Sanders – Fran Gebuhr
- Dennis Sanders – David Winton
- Denise Sanders – Kristin Linton
- Stanley Sanders – David Blankenship
Production pictures and videos
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Marketing Media
 Sanders Family Christmas Poster |
Links
