Atlanta Lyric Theatre Adjusts Summer Lineup

Atlanta Lyric Theatre today announced an adjustment to its summer lineup. The Lyric will present the ever-popular bluegrass revival Smoke on the Mountain, starring members of the original Theatre in the Square cast, July 27 – August 5, 2012 at The Earl Smith Strand Theatre (117 N. Park Square, Marietta).

It's back! Smoke on the Mountain, the original runaway hit that spawned two sequels, Sanders Family Christmas and Mount Pleasant Homecoming, returns to the Marietta Square this summer! If you've seen the other two, here's an opportunity to see the first or to revisit the quirky family in their original gospel concert at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. The popular Smoke on the Mountain features a rural, gospel-singing Baptist family in 1930's North Carolina - loving father Burl, Bible-quoting mother Vera, twin brother Dennis and his star-struck twin sister Denise, the black sheep Uncle Stanley, the non-singing June, and Reverend Mervin Oglethorpe, head of the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. The score includes popular hymns including "I'll Fly Away," "Power in the Blood," "Bringing in the Sheaves," and "I Wouldn't Take Nothing For My Journey Now." The first in the ever-popular series featuring the singing Sanders Family, Smoke on the Mountain premiered at Marietta's beloved, now-shuttered Theatre in the Square in 1991. This perennial revival favorite features bluegrass songs from the gospel hit parade, sprinkled with the hapless pranks of this lovable and talented family.

Reprising their roles in Smoke on the Mountain are Alan Kilpatrick as Reverend Mervin Oglethorpe, Karen Howell as Vera, Jennifer Akin as June, John Peterson as Burl, and Scott DePoy as Uncle Stanley.

Smoke on the Mountain is directed by Alan Kilpatrick and Karen Howell, and features music direction by Michael Monroe.

The previously scheduled Legally Blonde: The Musical will relocate to the beautifully spacious Jennie T. Anderson Theatre at The Cobb Civic Center Complex (548 S. Marietta Parkway, Marietta) and perform August 10 – 26, 2012. Patrons who have already purchased tickets to Legally Blonde will be contacted and are also encouraged to call The Lyric box office (404-377-9948) to exchange their tickets for the new dates and venue.

The international award-winning hit Legally Blonde: The Musical is coming to the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre in Marietta! Winner of 7 major awards including the coveted Olivier Award for Best Musical 2011, this all-singing, all-dancing romantic comedy is about knowing who you are and showing what you've got!

It's here, and it's "An Elle of a show" (TIME Magazine). Based on the hilarious MGM film starring Reese Witherspoon, Legally Blonde: The Musical follows sorority star Elle Woods, an underestimated blonde who doesn't take "no" for an answer. When her boyfriend dumps her for someone more "serious," Elle puts down the credit card, hits the books, and sets out to go where no Delta Nu has gone before: Harvard Law. Along the way, Elle proves that being true to yourself never goes out of style. After turning Broadway and MTV hot pink, this "Feel-Good Song and Dance Juggernaut" (New York Magazine) is "The Best New Musical Around!" (WOR).

Directed by Lyric Artistic Director Brandt Blocker and choreographed by Karen Hebert, Legally Blonde: The Musical is the funniest and most fabulous musical around-case closed!

Smoke on the Mountain and Legally Blonde are not part of The Lyric season subscription package and must be purchased separately. For tickets and information call 404-377-9948 or visit www.AtlantaLyricTheatre.com.