October 1st - October 23rd, 2021
Musical

At a Saturday Night Gospel Sing at a country church in North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains in 1938. The Sanders Family sings and plays bluegrass gospel classics while between songs each family member “witnesses” telling a story about an important spiritual event in their life. By the evening’s end, the Sanders Family have encouraged all to laugh, sing and clap their hands and have endeared themselves by revealing their weaknesses and allowing us to share in their triumphs.

Written by Alan Bailey, Mike Craver, Mark Hardwick and Connie Ray

Ticket Prices:

Adults - $25
Seniors (65+) - $23
Students (13 - College) - $23
Children (under 12) - $15
Group rates available for ten or more
All ticket prices show an included $4 facility charge

The Cast

DAVID GOZA
(Reverend Mervin Oglethorpe)

David Goza is excited to be able to return to the Plaza Theatre, and join this wonderful cast. David is a High School Theatre Director, and has been enjoying taking care of your children for 13 years. When he is not at work he enjoys frolicking through fields of gold, eating sno-cones in the rain, trimming his beard into unique shapes, and filling out Bios for shows he is in.
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CAITLAN LEBLO
(Music Director)

Favorite shows with PTC include TITANIC, ALWAYS PATSY CLINE, MATILDA, THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES, SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, LITTLE SHOP, BREAKING UP...DO, [TITLE OF SHOW], THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, BYE BYE BIRDIE, CRAZY FOR YOU, JOSEPH...DREAMCOAT and BEAUTY...BEAST. Other favorites include THE ADDAMS FAMILY, WONDERETTES: DREAM ON, SHREK, JOSEPH...DREAMCOAT, HELLO DOLLY, THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES, MEET...ST. LOUIS, GODSPELL, LITTLE WOMEN and DECADES OF DIVAS (part of the concert series) with Granbury Theatre Co. Music directing credits include MATILDA, FREAKY FRIDAY, JUNGLE BOOK JR., NEWSIES, and IN THE HEIGHTS, all for PTC. Caitlan graduated from TCU. She teaches theatre at Acton Middle School and sings on the praise team at Granbury FUMC. She is beyond blessed to share the stage with her husband, and by the love and support of her family!
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KATHY LEMONS
(Vera Sanders)

Kathy was last seen on the Plaza stage as Ida Strauss in TITANIC. Some of her favorite roles at Plaza have been: Edith Wilkins in DEAR RUTH, Maude Atkinson (Column Nominee) in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, Mrs. Peacock in CLUE THE MUSICAL, Mother Abbess in SOUND OF MUSIC, Marmee in LITTLE WOMEN THE MUSICAL, Glinda in WIZARD OF OZ, Marilla in ANNE OF GREEN GABLES. Additional roles include: Alice Beinecke (Column Nominee) in ADDAMS FAMILY at Artisan, Mrs. Ellie Banks in FATHER OF THE BRIDE at Granbury Opera House, Jan Marrow in PILLOW TALK at Southwest Reprise Theatre; Penelope Sycamore in YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU at Granbury Opera House; Miss Andrew, the evil nanny, in MARY POPPINS at three different theatres including Plaza. Kathy is enjoying every moment with the Sanders Family and sharing some of the songs she remembers her great-grandmother singing. As always, “All my love to Jim for keeping a song in my heart!” Eph. 3:20-21
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CAMILLE SHAW
(June Sanders/Director)

Camille is super excited to be reunited with one of her favorite people...June Sanders. She was last seen at Plaza as Torrey in the amazing show Freaky Friday. Some of Camille’s favorite roles at Plaza are Florence in CURIOUS SAVAGE, Adelaide in GUYS AND DOLLS, and Sarah in BEAU JEST. Some of her favorite roles are Sylvia in SYLVIA, Sabrina in SABRINA FAIR, and Mme. Thenardier in LES MISERABLES. When not at the theatre Camille helps run a family farm (which you can check out on Instagram at Camille’s Creek Farms.) An enormous thank you to her beloved, Adam and three sweetie peeties. Harper, Waverley, and Baker.
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BRAEDON CARLTON
(Dennis Sanders)

Braedon Carlton is so excited to be playing Dennis Sanders in SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN at Plaza Theatre Company. You may have seen Braedon recently in shows like, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 2, as Chad, or THE ADVENTURES...HUCK FINN at Granbury Theatre Company. Other shows he has been in are, MATILDA, NEWSIES, FROZEN JR, and many others. When Braedon is not acting he is auditioning for tv, focusing on school, or spending time with his family and friends. "I would like to thank all the people who have been there for me in my times of need, and have welcomed me with open arms to families other than my own."
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MIRANDA BARRUS
(Denise Sanders)

PlazaCo was founded at almost the very same time that Mimi was born so the theater has been her second home since she was a baby. She has loved playing Mary Lennox in THE SECRET GARDEN, Junie B. Jones in JUNIE B. JONES JR. and Scout Finch in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD for which she received the Best Actress Column Award (non-Equity) in 2018. Though she is the fifth of seven Barrus children, she is the oldest still living at home and takes on oldest child duties with her little brothers JJ and Charlie quite often. She's thrilled to be a part of SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN and hopes you enjoy the show.
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JACESON P. BARRUS
(Burl Sanders)

From Harold Hill in THE MUSIC MAN to Adam Pontipee in SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS and many in between, JaceSon has been fortunate to have played many iconic roles on the Plaza stage. Some favorites from among those have been as Miss Trunchbull in MATILDA THE MUSICAL, Bob Wallace in WHITE CHRISTMAS and Pap Fin in BIG RIVER for which he received the Column Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical. When not on stage or behind-the-scenes here at PlazaCo, JaceSon likes to spend his spare time watching classic movies, studying American history and spending time with his family who make everything worthwhile. JaceSon would also like to send his love and gratitude to his wife Tina, his children Tabitha, Parker, Cameron, Eden, Mimi, JJ and Charlie, his son-in-law Saul, granddaughters Gemma and Nova and his wonderful Mom and Dad. "Good will ever come".
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NATE MILSON
(Stanley Sanders)

Nate is elated to take the plaza stage once again with his friends to sing the lights out. He would like to thank his wife for her endless love, and Jaceson, for giving him this opportunity. Hope y’all enjoy the show!
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BARBARA ROSE
(Miss Maude)

Portraying Miss Maude is a hoot! Smoke on the Mountain is one of her favorite plays. The music alone lifts her spirit. Her favorite roles have been Clairee in Steel Magnolias, Aida in Over the River and Through the Woods. She loves the theater and cherishes every part and moment on the stage. She thanks Plaza and her family for supporting her.
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CORLISS CORNILS
(Miss Maude / Myrtle)

Miss Maude/Myrtle is excited to reprise her roll as an A-men Lady in her first performance in Dudley Hall. Her other productions in Johnson County include Aunt Tillie in IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, Mrs. Dubose in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD and most recently as the hair-buying hag in LES MISERABLES – all productions produced by the Greater Cleburne Carnegie Players. Recently retired, she enjoys spending more time with her talented husband Jay A Cornils, who she thanks for his support and love. A-MEN!
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TAFFY GEISEL
(Director and Miss Myrtle)

Taffy fell in love with the theater in kindergarten, when she played Tigerlily, the Mean Ugly Stepflower in CINDERELLA IN FLOWERLAND. She still remembers her song, and will sing it for you, if you ask nicely. Playing at Plaza is one of the delights of Taffy’s life. She has been part of all but one of the productions of SMOKE, either as Director, or the church lady, Miss Myrtle. Among the plays she has directed here are DEAR RUTH, CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, POLLYANNA, ANNIE, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, and THE HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE. At Artisan, she had the joy of directing plays for which she wrote the adaptations - PRINCE CASPIAN, A WRINKLE IN TIME, and THE CHRISTMAS CAROL MIRACLE. Teaching theater at Science Etc. enriches her life. She loves her students very much. “I am so grateful to JaceSon, Tina and Aaron, for taking a chance with letting me direct. Many thanks to husband Howard, kids Joey, Emma, Caroline and Matt, and grandson Josiah for all the love and laughs, and to my Lord Jesus, who continue
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CHERI DEE MEGA
(Piano)

Cheri is delighted to be back at Plaza as Pianist for SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN again. Cheri is honored to have been a part of Plaza Theatre from its inception and is so excited to see its growth into the flourishing organization it has become. She has been the Music Director for many productions here, including all of the SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN productions and its sequels and she even tried her hand at acting as the Mother Abbess in THE SOUND OF MUSIC - 2008. She was also the Music Director for YOU'RE A GOOD MAN CHARLIE BROWN, FOREVER PLAID, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL, CLUE THE MUSICAL, KISS ME KATE, BIG RIVER, SHE LOVES ME, and SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE. Cheri is an elementary music/choir teacher at StoneGate Christian Academy in Irving, TX and also instructs private piano, voice, and guitar. "Thank you, Curt and Taffy, for sparking a love for theater in me, and thank you, Kathy, Howard and Nan, for the rides." She hopes to honor Jesus with her endeavors.
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HOWARD GEISEL
(Fiddle)

Howard is looking forward to having fun again with this reimagined presentation of "Smoke on the Mountain" after fiddling around previously at Plaza. He dedicates this performance to his beloved Taffy, who has brightened his heart each and every day for the last 36 years this December. John 5:24
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MADISON HEAPS
(Stage Manager)

Madison is so excited to be stage managing this show! She has always loved the Sanders Family and is thrilled to work with this fantastic cast. In the past, Madison has enjoyed stage managing shows such as MATILDA, ALWAYS PATSY CLINE, and NEWSIES. She sends her love to her sweetheart, Cameron.
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EDEN BARRUS
(Choreographer)

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Smoke on the Mountain

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