by Clyde Berry of John Garcia's The Column

If you're looking for solid family fare for the holidays, I know you will not be disappointed by sharing your season with the Sanders family.

After an impressive listing of offerings for the 2009 season, including several comedies and some ambitious large musicals for their smaller in-the-round venue, the Plaza Theatre proudly completes its third full season with their holiday offering of Sanders Family Christmas.

Plaza Theatre Company seems to be doing well in fulfilling their mission of high quality, family friendly, and enriching programming. Clearly the efforts of the Barrus and Siler families to provide downtown Cleburne with entertainment and arts training are a welcome addition to the community.

Sanders Christmas is the second in a trilogy of Bluegrass Gospel musicals conceived by Alan Bailey and penned by Connie Ray. The first, Smoke on the Mountain, ran for a year off-Broadway and eventually landed Connie Ray a starring role on the short-lived (and personal favorite) The Torkelsons on TV. They feature vintage Gospel music of the Oh, Brother, Where Art Thou variety/era and feature the efforts of the Sanders family to bring Gospel and to witness the community of the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church.

In the first volume, Rev. Mervin Oglethorpe brings the Sanders family to the church for a bit of a revival, and in so doing, falls for June Sanders, the non-singing member of the family. For this incarnation, a few years have passed and there have been a few changes within the Sanders family. Stanley, the rebellious one from the last show, has found his way and had become a radio personality. Twins Dennis and Denise still take turns going to a religious school, but Dennis has graduated and enlisted into the Marines. Parents Burl and Vera are concerned, but let their faith and music comfort them and the community about the future of their boys in "the war." Rev. Oglethorpe has frequently visited June, and these visits have not gone unnoticed by Burl and Vera.

The Smoke on the Mountains are structured similarly to other series like the Nunsenses or the Forever Plaids. The show is a loosely structured review in which group numbers are spaced out between solos, and punctuated with a few character developing monologues. The Smokes are pretty tightly knit, and things flow smoothly from set to set.

Darcy Farrington's direction of Sanders Christmas is clean, tight, and fast paced. For a show that is staged in the round, there is a great deal of variety in blocking/choreography that kept things from getting repetitive and still allowed almost constant good views from every seat.

Relationships are clear, and this group does have the chemistry one would expect from a performing, touring family. Farrington understands the music, humor, and the period and deftly keeps anyone from mugging while moving the story along.

My only quibble is the addition of the "Amen Ladies" who wander in at the top of each act to warm the crowd up. For the rest of the show, they are relegated to seats off to the side to react with the few folks within their reach. Her Sanders characters would be better served to be used in this way, than these ladies who, while always in character, only offer bits as an afterthought.

The set design by JaceSon Barrus is basic and functional for the space. Tina Barrus' costume design is likewise. She is true to the period, keeping the Sanders' in festive plaids and greens, the men in suits, and some nice period hairstyles on all of the ladies. G. Aaron Siler's sound design used body mics. The cast (and period sound for the music) would be better served without them. Folks tended to rely on the mics for basic amplification when it is clear from several numbers that they have the capacity to fill the room with their own voices. On my evening, everything in Act I seemed a little low key, with an adjustment taking place before Act II that provided a much louder, fuller sound from the system. Still, to revive a crowd, one has to have energy, and that comes from a passionate voice trying to reach out to the sinners hiding in the corners.

As to the singing, there are many fine numbers in this production, musically directed by Cheri Mega. By far the most moving was an a cappella version of "The Carol of the Bells." Act II gets rolling with a high energy "Longing For That Hallelujah Day" followed by Mervin's even more excited "I've Been Changed." Several medleys showcased some nice harmonies including Act I's War Medley and Act II's Bell Medley. It seems the stage business was a bit distracting for the Christmas in other Lands Medley, which was not as cohesive. The last medley includes the audience, so be ready to join in. Strangely, the last song "Go Tell It on the Mountain" dramatically and vocally does not provide a satisfying conclusion to the show (a fault of the book).

Many of the cast have had previous experience singing in the Sanders Family, and their comfort shows.

Danielle Beacham earns the scene stealer award for her wonderful portrayal of June Sanders. Beacham has created an amazing physical character for the "untalented" member of the family, who signs and plays a variety of percussion. Never over the top, Beacham fills in every moment needed with business and has the most honest reactions of anyone in the cast. The dramatic highlight of the evening is her answer to an important question posed to her by Oglethorpe.

JaceSon Barrus also does well with his monologue as Stanley. His character is sincere, humble, and earnest in his beliefs. Vocally Barrus is solid, and leads Act II's opening number "Did You Ever Go Sailing?"

Burl and Vera Sanders are brought to life by G. Aaron Siler and Darcy Farrington. Both carry the authority of being the head of the family as well as the compassion for their children, and the spiritual salvation of the sinners present. Farrington is the strong Mom you wouldn't want to mess with, and she has good chemistry in her battles with Rev. Oglethorpe. Siler likewise does well holding everyone together when anyone goes astray. Both have strong vocals and are always engaged.

The Sanders twins, Denise and Dennis, are played by Kaitlin McDonald and Jonathan Cooper (Cooper's the boy). The youthful looking Cooper does very well in explaining his rationale in enlisting. He also has a lovely voice with a nice top. McDonald is a high school student with lots of promise. The youngest in the cast, she holds her own vocally and is not intimidated. These two have the comic duets of each act, and bring a great deal of enthusiasm to, sadly, the least interesting music.

Lastly, Kyle Adams plays our host Mervin Oglethorpe. Adams nicely executes his role, stealing any chance he can catch a glance from June Sanders. Keep your eye on him, he's always working. His highlight is clearly his Act II solo and his shared scene with June, proving to the Sanders Family he has indeed been practicing, and building up his courage.

If you're looking for solid family fare for the holidays, I know you will not be disappointed by sharing your season with the Sanders family.

What do you think?