MTP's "Smoky Mountain Christmas" Cozy Holiday Treat

By Paul Hyde/Anderson Observer

“A Smoky Mountain Christmas” is a terrific, toe-tapping holiday treat.L to R: Alexandria Bagwell, Riley Fincher-Foster, Julia Glenn, Kelly Davis. Photo: Escobar Photography 

Produced by the Mill Town Players, this up-tempo country and bluegrass revue is a mighty fine way to cozy up to the Christmas spirit.

Against the backdrop of Will Ragland’s warm, inviting log cabin set, nine talented singers offer more than two dozen Yuletide songs - some traditional, some more modern.

It’s as if a big, generous family has welcomed us, the audience, into their home for a feast of music, appetizers, main courses and lots of desserts.

The great seven-member onstage band (let’s hear it for live music in local theaters!) makes a wonderful production even more irresistible.

Director/choreographer Kimberlee Ferreira offers a vision of Christmas that is all about family, joy and good will. Sorry, Elvis, we’ll not have a blue Christmas if this cast has anything to say about it.

As in all Ferreira’s productions, this one exhibits a high degree of pep and polish. Take, for instance, a sequence of three songs in Act 1 – “Up on the Housetop,” “Put a Little Holiday in Your Heart” and “Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas.” The energy and exuberance are dynamite. 

“A Smoky Mountain Christmas” is truly an ensemble show with each cast member getting a moment to shine in the spotlight.

Kelly Davis’ 100-watt smile seems to have increased to 110 watts for this production. Davis really knows how to sell a song.

Julia Glenn and Alexandria Bagwell apply soaring vocals to several appealing tunes, while Tom Dyar and Brian Glenn bring warm country accents to their numbers.

And Drew Kenyon offers a suave “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”

Three young people round out the cast. Riley Fincher-Foster is a petite powerhouse on such songs as “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee.” What a talent! Hiram Means makes a big impression on a couple of numbers as well. Zeke Means, the youngest of the cast, has a strong stage presence and is another bright talent to keep an eye on.

Tricia Dyar is responsible for the vibrant musical preparation. Mckelvie Wilder (on the keyboard) leads the band. Kayla Wells (fiddle), Charles Wood (banjo), Luke Johnson (mandolin) and Austin Finley (guitar) offer flavorful solos. Russ Chapman (bass) and Robert Johnson (drums) provide a solid musical foundation.

No surprise, this family-friendly show has been filling the Pelzer Auditorium for the past two weeks. Only one weekend of performances remains. Don’t miss it!

For tickets to “A Smoky Mountain Christmas,” call 864-947-8000 or visit www.milltownplayers.org.

Paul Hyde, a longtime Upstate journalist, writes about the arts for the Anderson Observer. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter: @PaulHyde7.