Sierra Rep ushers in the holidays with faith, family and fun in Sanders Family Christmas, set for November and December at the Fallon House Theater in Columbia State Historic Park.
The
story takes place on Christmas Eve, 1941. The Great Depression is
coming to a close. The threat of war looms. A family living in the rural
town of Mount Pleasant, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North
Carolina, is about to say goodbye to their only son, who is shipping out
with the U.S. Marine Corps. But before he goes, the family – the
Sanctified Sanders Family Singers – heads up the annual Christmas
celebration at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church.
Directed
by Frank H. Latson, a past Sierra Rep artistic director, the nostalgic
comedy promises toe-tapping music and heart-felt humor.
“It’s sweet and funny, and I think everybody’s going to have a good time,” Latson said.
The play is the second in a series of three shows featuring the Sanders Family Singers. The first, Smoke on the Mountain,
played off-Broadway and took its name from a Psalm in the Bible. It
tells the story of a Saturday-night Gospel Sing at the church. Sanders Family Christmas
takes place three years later and features many memorable holiday
songs. Among them: Bill Monroe’s “Christmas Time’s A Comin’” and Kenny
Rogers’ and Dolly Parton’s “With Bells On.”
There are comical characters and feel-good fun.
“It’s
the perfect Christmas show,” said Sierra Rep’s Education Director Ralph
Krumins, who has seen the play at other venues. “It’s not heavy and
it’s not drama, but it still has some nice, subtle messages and morals
to it.”
The
plot revolves around the Reverend Oglethorpe and the Sanders family,
who attempt to raise the spirits of the flock (the audience) in an
energetic gospel sing-along. Characters include Uncle Stanley; father
Burl; mother Vera; twins Dennis and Denise; and sister June (she doesn’t
sing, she signs).
The
impending war is ever-present. That theme should resonate with
everyone, whether they remember World War II or not, Latson said.
“For older groups, of course it will be nostalgic,” he said. “But
talking about sending boys off to war is always relevant. It’s
universal. It goes on all the time. There’s so much emotion involved.”
Sanders Family Christmas
runs Nov. 14 through Dec. 21 at the Fallon House Theatre in Columbia
State Historic Park. Friday performances begin at 7 p.m., Saturday
evening shows begin at 8 p.m., Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinees
begin at 2 p.m. and Thursday performance times vary between 2 p.m. and
7p.m. General admission ranges from $26 to $32, with senior, student and
child rates available. The show is rated G.
For more information or reservations, call Sierra Rep’s box office at 209-532-3120 or visit Sierra Rep at www.sierrarep.org.
Enter to win two free tickets for any show when you check in on
Facebook or Twitter and use #SRTSandersChristmas or comment on how you
enjoyed the show.