'Smoke on the Mountain' can comfort any soul

By John Horan Jr. -- jhoran@nvdaily.com

MIDDLETOWN -- Wayside Theatre's "Smoke on the Mountain" is a sure-fire antidote to the winter blahs. The good-natured musical boasts more than two dozen gospel hymn standards, performed impeccably, interspersed with liberal dashes of humor from the off-beat characters.

Its tunes, including "Church in the Wildwood," "Whispering Hope" and "I'll Fly Away," are the musical equivalent of comfort food, seemingly hard-wired in the DNA of generations of rural folk but also familiar to people who haven't set foot in a church in years.

Even an atheist should be impressed by the musicianship and versatility of the cast. Not only do they sing with verve, flawlessly blending close harmony, but they also
demonstrate a facility with a variety of instruments, from the standard bluegrass strings to accordion, trumpet and spoons.

"Smoke on the Mountain," the brainchild of Alan Bailey and Connie Ray, is mostly a hymn sing, set in 1938 North Carolina and featuring the Sanders family, but they are an odd lot, each with a story to tell and a craving for the spotlight.

There are the easy-going patriarch Burl, played by Roger M. Eaves, a late stand-in for the indisposed Bob Payne, who is mostly amused by his family's foibles; his tightly wound wife, Vera, portrayed by Pam Pendleton; and the twins, the introvert Dennis (Steve Przybylski) and Denise (Jennie Malone), whose horizons have transcended the straitlaced Baptist world view.

Sister June is even more of a special case. She doesn't sing much, preferring to specialize as the family's one-woman rhythm band. Her exertions, however, are not effortless, which gives Thomasin Savaiano ample opportunity to shine as she hilariously tackles an array of odd "instruments."

Then there's Burl's brother Stanley, a consummate musician but a sullen man with "issues." Jody Lee scores on both counts.

As the pastor, Alex Sheets achieves a winning transformation, from early apprehensiveness at the Sanders' antics, especially the women's spirited dance number, to jovial participation in their offerings.

Director Warner Crocker succeeds in making the characters more than caricatures. Set designer Zach Fullenkamp provides a handsome, spare sanctuary. The costumes by Tamara M. Carruthers are apt and Wes Calkins' lighting effective.

• "Smoke on the Mountain"
• By Alan Bailey and Connie Ray
• Directed by Warner Crocker
• Continuing at Wayside Theatre until March 10. Box office phone number: 869-1776.