Campbellsville University to produce ‘Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming’ Oct. 21-24

By Joan C. McKinney | 09/16/2010

  Rob Collins, who played Burl Sanders in last  year's production of 'Smoke on the Mountain' is returning to 'Smoke on the Mountain Home- coming Oct. 21-24. (Campbellsville University Photo by Andre Tomaz)

 Rob Collins, who played Burl Sanders in last year’s production of ‘Smoke on the Mountain’ is returning to ‘Smoke on the Mountain Home- coming Oct. 21-24. (Campbellsville University Photo by Andre Tomaz)

Sept. 16, 2010
For Immediate Release

By Joan C. McKinney, news and publications coordinator

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - “Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming” by Connie Ray will be performed during Campbellsville University's Homecoming at the University Theater of the Alumni Building at 114 University Drive, Campbellsville.

The show will be Thursday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 22 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 24 at 3 p.m. CU's Homecoming is Oct. 22-23.

Several of the cast involved in last year's production of “Smoke on the Mountain,” are returning in their roles. Edwina Rowell, adjunct instructor in English as a Second Language, is returning as Vera, the matriarch of the Sanders family. Rob Collins of Campbellsville, Ky. is the father, Burl Sanders.

Also returning is Matt Hodge, adjunct instructor in music and fine arts recruiter, as Cousin Fred. Kaylynn Best and her twin, Kelsey Best, are returning as Velma and Thelma Sanders. They are sophomores from Harrodsburg, Ky.

David Emerson, a junior from Dunnville, Ky., is Mervin Oglethorpe; Paul Bray, a sophomore from Casey Creek, Ky., is Stanley Sanders; Aubrey Skutt, a junior from Louisville, Ky., is June Sanders; Lacy Mudd, a junior from Campbellsville, is Denise Sanders; and Jarrad Mattingly, a sophomore from Taylorsville, is Dennis Sanders.

A synopsis provided by Samuel French Inc. described the play: “It's October 1945, and the gospel-singing Sanders Family is back together again. The war is over and America's years of prosperity are just beginning. But there's another kind of rite of passage at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, where Reverend Mervin Oglethorpe is giving his last service.

“He's been called to preach in Texas, and he's already bought a ten-gallon hat and is preparing to ride into the sunset with his wife June, who is eight months pregnant. Tomorrow morning, young Dennis Sanders takes over as Mount Pleasant's pastor. Join the Sanders Family as they send Mervin and June off in style, with hilarious and touching stories and twenty-five toe-tapping Bluegrass Gospel favorites.”

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,000 students offering 45 undergraduate programs, 16 master's degrees and five postgraduate areas. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.