We went to the Cumberland County Playhouse(see link) again over the weekend. They had a play called "The Sanders Family Christmas" which was a sequel to "Smoke on the Mountain." Only a few of the actors were the same. I don't know where they are finding all of that tallent. Each part requires acting, singing and playing a number of instruments. There was a bass fiddle on the stage and at one time or another most of the cast took a turn at playing it.

This play was set at Christmas 1941 and one of the Sanders twins was getting ready to go into service. (The "family" in the title is a gospel music group.) In spite of the sad times, it was funny from the word go. The music was mostly gospel style, but it also included some traditional Christmas music. They even played the bells, which took three people to keep them ringing. Again, as in "Smoke on the Mountain," scene after scene was stolen by the actress who played June Sanders. There is a Don Knotts quality to her style, and I'd mention her name if I could think of it.

This was the first time I had seen a production in their new "Adventure Theatre," which is sort of a theatre in the round. There were seats on three sides allowing for a small set on the fourth side. The set was the interior of a country church, the same set that was used in "Smoke."

We are already planning to see "Phantom" next year.
Howard