Hedgerow Theatre presents its second Heritage Series production of the season: Smoke on the Mountain with a musical book by Connie Ray, and arrangements by Mike Craver and Mark Hardwick, March 6-April 13. Directed by Peter Reynolds, previews will be March 6-8 at 8 p.m. and March 9 at 2 p.m. The show will open March 13 and run through April 13 with performances Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. with a Wednesday matinee April 9 at 2 p.m. To reserve tickets, call 610-565-4211.

Set in the 1930s, this joyous musical introduces the singing Sanders family, who perform their traditional and bluegrass gospel songs for the members of the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant, NC. Welcomed by Pastor Oglethorpe into the church, the families’ individual stories and beliefs are shared with the audience, who are also part of the congregation. This heartwarming celebration is designed to have audiences clapping, laughing and toe-tapping along to the music.

The score of Smoke on the Mountain consists of almost 30 gospel tunes: rousing numbers, plaintive hymns, and soulful praise songs. Many of the songs illuminate the lives of the characters and personal stories of faith are inspiring, yet never preachy.

Producing Artistic Director Penelope Reed is delighted to welcome Peter Reynolds to Rose Valley, where he will make his Hedgerow Theatre directing debut with Smoke on the Mountain. Mr. Reynolds, the Artistic Director of Philadelphia's Mauckingbird Theatre Company, recently staged Moliere's The Misanthrope. He currently serves as the Director of Musical Theater for the Department of Theater at Temple University. Mr. Reynolds has also just finished directing Baby at Villanova University; later this spring he will stage Cinderella for the Walnut Street Theatre's Youth Series, and Songs for a New World at Act II Playhouse.

He believes audiences will find much to enjoy in Smoke on the Mountain. “In a world full of distractions, we too rarely get the opportunity to sit down as a community and enjoy some music and fellowship together. Smoke on the Mountain provides that opportunity.” he stated. “It’s about community and spending time away from our TVs, cell phones and celebrating a simpler time.”

He and musical director Tom Mucchetti will direct a cast which includes Newton Buchanan, Jenny Jacobs, Nathan Ohm, Justin Damm, Elena Bossler, Will Brown, Duncan Smith and April Woodall.

Smoke on the Mountain was first presented at the Lambs Theatre in New York City, in 1990, and marks the second time Hedgerow will stage a musical by Mike Craver and Mark Harwick. (Craver and Hardwick’s Radio Gal’s was previously staged at Hedgerow Theatre in 2007).

Smoke on the Mountain will be followed b the world-premiere of Kafka in the Hedgerows (April 24-May 18) by Nagle Jackson, a comedy inspired by the events in Rose Valley which led to the birth of Hedgerow Theatre.

Tickets to Smoke on the Mountain are $22 on Thursday; $28 on Friday and Sunday; $30 on Saturday. Senior tickets are $20 for all performances and $10 for those under age 18 for all performances. Call 610-565-4211 for reservations or visit www.hedgerowtheatre.org. Hedgerow Theatre is at 64 Rose Valley Road, Rose Valley.

Hedgerow Theatre Company is America's Oldest Resident Repertory Theatre, founded in 1923. The theater's current season includes the Signature Series, featuring equity artists and the Heritage Series, showcasing the talents of the entire company, with a focus on emerging theatre artists.

Hedgerow Theatre seeks to connect and enrich the lives of actors and audiences through the shared intimate experiences of a theatre of excellence.