When I go to the Center for the Arts, I have a habit of sitting on the first row, first seat to the right as you look at the stage. When I went into the theatre Saturday, May 12, and sat in my usual seat, there was a church pew sitting cattycorned to my right. And although there was a sold-out house behind me, two elderly “dressed for church” ladies finally sat down, wide, black brimmed hats sitting on their blue hair, white-gloved, and church fans just a-goin’, hopefully to?keep them from getting the “vapors.” These two matriarchs, “Miss Maude” and “Miss Myrtle,” made my night. If I had sat anywhere else, I would have missed their every whisper.
In June 1938, the Depression was slowing down, and World War II?was yet to be. In the South, the city and the country folk had turned to God and each other more than ever before due to fear, lack of money and an uncertain future. Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, in Mt. Pleasant, N.C., was no different. With a rise in their attendance, and?fear that the Mt.Pleasant Pickle factory would be shut down,?pastor Mervin Oglethorpe was doing what he could to bring the small Southern Baptist Church into the 20th century and give his congregation hope.
Enter the Sanders Family. Gospel singers with a flair for the almighty, and the Almighty. Forget the Saturday night Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, this singin’, dancin’, praisin’, testimonian’ family of six showed folks just who their Savior?is . . . along with their Blood Medley. But with just a touch of naughtiness from the Sanders’ daughters,?1938 style, Miss Myrtle and Miss Maude finally had to leave. They had had enough of musical instruments?in the church anyways.
Burl Sanders (John Blankenship) tries to keep his Christianity close to his chest with some of the shenanigans of his close knit family. But in reality, if John, who is a Murfreesboro attorney, works in the courtroom the way he does on stage, I will be calling him the next time I need an?lawyer. His body language, compassion,?and head/eye movements as he speaks are too real, whether on stage or be it in a court of law.
His brother Stanley Sanders (Adrian Marshall) has to be a Southern Baptist in real life. His sour face, edginess and lack of compassion made him true to life in this church. His deep bass voice however, will rattle your soul.
Dennis Sanders (David Winton)?could have easily stolen the show?with his shyness, his momma’s boy charm, and his incredible voice. Mr. Winton teaches music here in Murfreesboro, I only wish I had been?one of his elementary school students. They are a lucky bunch to have him as a teacher. He and his twin sister Denise (Kristen Linton) did indeed have arguably the funniest 5 minutes of the show with their “Ride ’em Christian Cowboy” tune. Denise also showed her “naughty” side (remember?this is 1938) when she admits she has always dreamed of being a showgirl. To heck with Disney!
Vera Sanders (Fran Gebuhr) sure knows her Bible verses. If she only knew how her speaking out of turn infuriates her husband and the pastor of the church. But personally, I had to choke back tears?during?Mrs. Gebuhr’s rendition of “There is A Fountain.” In the many years I have known this song, this was the most beautiful I have ever heard it sung. Vera also has a thing for June Bugs. Keep watch for her June Bug Testimony.
Gracious through the entire night, with a little flirtation going on with the preacher, was June Sanders (Cathy Spencer), who tried so hard to “sign” for the deaf (her talent from the Lord, I suppose) that everyone was in stitches. One could almost feel sorry for her, if it hadn’t been that we understood her signing.
Perhaps the most unnerving part of the whole evening for me was Pastor Mervin Oglethorpe, played by David Cummings. Being a Southern Baptist for many years myself, until I saw the light, I realized in the show that in all these 70 years, for some reason, most Southern Baptist preachers haven’t changed much. They are still pompous, egotistical, dress like they belong in a casket, and loud. Mr. Cummings played this part perfectly. I don’t know whether to applaud him or pray for him.
Back to Miss Maude and Miss Myrtle. I guess I should know who these two wonderful ladies are, but I did not see them in the playbill. But my proximity to them gave me chills. They were actually?whispering to each other all through the show critiques and complaints during the singing, praising and testimonies.?Much like the bunch you sit near during church today.
The sold out house average age was probably 60. Kinda like most churches today as well. I overheard one patron say as we were leaving that this show was better than the one at Cumberland County Playhouse. I only hope that during this show, which runs through the May 27, some teens, college students and?church youth groups will come and enjoy this “Smoke on the Mountain.” It will leave a fire in your heart.
“Smoke on the Mountain” continues at the Rutherford County Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. May 17 – 19 and 24 – 26 and 2 p.m. May 20 and 27.
