Cumberland County Playhouse's 'SMOKE,' and 'SANDERS' Coming to Dayton this Fall
By: Tyler Peterson
MainStreet Dayton and The Scopes Festival bring Cumberland County Playhouse's productions of Smoke on the Mountain and A Sanders Family Christmas to the historic Scopes Trial Courtroom of Rhea County Courthouse this September and November. Smoke on the Mountain (rated G, sponsored by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store), now in its 21st year at the Playhouse, and touring the Southeast, plays in Dayton on September 28 at 3:00 PM EDT, with A Sanders Family Christmas (rated G), in its 16thCCP season, visiting on Nov. 30, also at 3:00 PM.
The touring engagements follow the success of the new Front Page News a play with music co-produced by CCP for the 2014 Scopes Trial Festival in Dayton, adapted from Deborah DeGeorge Harbin's 2013 script by CCP's Jim Crabtree and Grammy-nominated songwriter Bobby Taylor. The show teamed Playhouse actors, technicians and musicians with Scopes Festival veteran actors and Bryan College interns. Both Smoke and Sanders feature the gospel-singing Sanders Family, first in 1938 when we meet them in Smoke, then in 1941 just after Pearl Harbor in Sanders. Each time, the family is visiting Mount Pleasant Baptist Church to share music and witness. The family plays down-home gospel music, plus original songs by show creators Connie Ray and Alan Bailey. Ms. Ray grew up in a country church similar to Mount Pleasant, and the authors take us on a nostalgic trip "back home" - and a visit with a family of unforgettable characters. "We hope this is just the beginning of Playhouse shows in Dayton." said Crabtree, with Festival Chair Tom Davis agreeing. Tickets for both Smoke and Sanders in Dayton are $20 and $24 in advance for adults, $12 in advance for kids and students with ID, plus an additional $2 for each ticket purchased at the door. Details and tickets are available by phone at (931) 484-5000 or online at www.ccplayhouse.com. Proceeds benefit the Scopes Trial Festival and Cumberland County Playhouse, and the Festival/Playhouse partnership. CCP Producing Director Jim Crabtree addresses Rhea County Historical Society on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 2:30 PM CDT at the Courthouse. Crabtree, with over 40 years' experience bringing the performing arts to rural Tennessee, will share his ideas and vision for performing arts opportunities in Rhea County, background on Playhouse founding and growth, the involvement of his parents, six brothers and sisters, and his ancestral roots in the Cumberlands since 1870. From Sept. 12, Crabtree appears in CCP's baseball musical Damn Yankees, co-sponsored by Dr. Vianney Villaruz, M.D., Cardiology CMM-CMG and The Beef & Barrel/The Blind Zebra/Red's Ale House. Jim plays 1950's middle-aged baseball fan Joe Boyd, who sells his soul to devilish Mr. Applegate (Jason Ross) to help the Washington Senators beat the hated NY Yankees for the pennant. Crabtree also directs Inherit the Wind, sponsored by Dr. Stanley Bise, M.D. and Dr. Anthony Wilson, opening Oct. 12. Inherit is a powerful fictionalized historical drama based loosely on elements of the Scopes trial, but also inspired by the McCarthy hearings of the 1950s. Crabtree's hymn-filled production strives to separate fact from fiction and to promote respect for all views. Tickets for all shows and concerts are at (931) 484-5000, and www.ccplayhouse.com.
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