Young at Heart Day Trip–LaComedia–Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming

September 6, 2012, we went back in time to 1945 and enjoyed a good musical production at La Comedia in Springboro.

This is the third in the series of Smoke on the Mountain Musical Plays and was produced in 2006. The story takes place in the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in 1945. The boys are home from the war and Mount Pleasant Baptist is undergoing some changes. Reverend Mervin Oglethorpe is giving his last service and is preparing to move to a new pastorate in Texas. He has already purchased his 10-Gallon Hat and is leaving with his wife who is eight months pregnant with their first child. His wife June is part of a prominent family in the church with a a brother and sister who are twins. Her sister also have a set of very active young twins.

Following this service, June’s brother, Dennis, will take over as their pastor. The family are very much musically inclined and perform many good old down home songs through out the service (and our play). They sang many favorites such as: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms; Gloryland Boogie; Everything You'll Need; I'll Never Die; Royal Telephone; A Little At A Time; Children Talk To Angels; Standing on the Promises; RIVER MEDLEY: (Shall We Gather at the River?; I'm Going to Canaan; You Can Swim; Far Side Banks of Jordan); I Am Ready To Go; Come Around; I'll Live Again; Round-up in the Sky; I Love To Tell the Story; Jesus Savior Pilot Me; PROPHET MEDLEY: Daniel in the Lion's Den; Ezekiel Saw The Wheel; Jacob's Ladder; Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho ); Just Over in the Gloryland; Unclouded Day; Do Lord. I have to admit to wanting to sing along on several of the different numbers!

I was impressed by home many different instruments the actors could play. One time you would see one playing the guitar and another time the base or piano. I also enjoyed June. Her job in the church was to Sign for the Deaf people. Her signing was hilarious and there were no people in the church who could understand her, because no one was deaf. I guess that would mean she doesn’t need to be replaced after leaving for Texas.

I was also impressed that all of the music was from the performers. None was from a soundtrack. Overall, I was very impressed with this program and enjoyed in immensely and would readily recommend this to anyone. This was the first day of this production at La Comedia and you would have never know it from their performance. The play runs through October 28, 2012 at LaComedia. Checkout LaComedia for show times and costs.

As always, the performers joined together in the foyer to greet everyone!