In 2019, South City Theatre produced the heartwarming and hilarious musical, “Smoke on the Mountain.” The show was such a success that audiences clamored for more; so we are answering the call with a sequel, “Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming!”
It’s October 1945, and the gospel‑singing Sanders Family is back together again. The war is over, and America’s years of prosperity are just beginning. But there’s another kind of rite of passage at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, where Reverend Mervin Oglethorpe is giving his last service. He’s been called to preach in Texas, and he’s already bought a ten‑gallon hat and is preparing to ride into the sunset with his wife, June, who is eight months pregnant. Tomorrow morning, young Dennis Sanders takes over as Mount Pleasant’s pastor. Join the Sanders Family as they send Mervin and June off in style, with hilarious and touching stories and twenty‑five toe‑tapping bluegrass gospel favorites, including Rock of Ages, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms; Unclouded Day; and Do Lord.
AUDITION INFORMATION
Some of the performers from our original production will repeat their roles: Jim Billings, Ryan Gerrells, Clint Neville, Michael Wilbanks, Amy Self, and Rhonda Ray.
Open roles include:
JUNE– non-soloist. Female. 30s-40s. Excellent physical comedy timing. June “signs not sings”. Unfortunately her signing is quite literal and absolutely hysterical.
DENISE – 20s-30s. Female. Married with rambunctious children who are offstage, Denise is always dealing with chaos. Soprano. Soloist.
VERA – 50s-60s. Female. The matriarch of the Sanders family. Vera quotes the Bible often–especially to the pastor. She loves her family, but also loves to be right at all times. Alto. Soloist.
Ability to harmonize a must!
Also looking for performers who play instruments in the blue-grass style, especially guitar, mandolin, banjo, harmonica, fiddle, etc. If you can play, be prepared to audition with your instrument. Will consider adding musicians to the cast who don’t have specific roles or lines.
Where: Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, 858 Kent Dairy Rd, Alabaster, AL 35007
Audition Dates: Sunday, May 7, 3-5 p.m. and/or Monday, May 8, 7-8:30 p.m. You don’t have to attend both audition dates.
Rehearsals will be at churches in Alabaster.
Performances: Touring to area churches on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights July 13-22 at 7:30 p.m. Additional Sunday afternoon or evening performances may be added during that time frame, as well.
Director Sue Ellen Gerrells–South City Theatre
Musical Director William Harper (Choir director at First United Methodist Church, Alabaster)
For more information, email director at sueellengerrells@gmail.com