Wednesday - "Smoke on the Mountain" and "Queen Esther"

Prior to coming to Branson, we had reserved seats to see Sight & Sound Theater's production of "Queen Esther" for Wednesday afternoon. When we got to the campground near Branson on Sunday, there was a sheet with a list of many (all?) of the shows playing in Branson, and I noticed that "Smoke on the Mountain" was scheduled for mornings, Tuesday - Saturday. We decided to book tickets to see that show on Wednesday morning before "Queen Esther".

I had seen "Smoke on the Mountain" many years ago at the Granbury Opera House (Granbury, Texas) and remembered that it was funny. 

From the description of the show online (https://bransonimax.com/shows/smoke/):

Set in North Carolina in 1938, Smoke on the Mountain follows the Sanders Family Singers as they perform at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church's Saturday Night Gospel Sing! Meet a talented family... quirky, flawed and uniquely entertaining! Become the congregation and enjoy over 30 classic gospel tunes that bring us all back to a much simpler time. Laugh at their crazy antics, sing along and witness a heartwarming conclusion that reminds us all what it means to be a family.

 We got to the theater a little early and walked around in the gift shops that were in the same building --

We saw these signs in a clock shop!

The set was visible as we were seated in the theater...

That sign over to the right of the stage looked familiar...

... I remember signs like that in the country church where I grew up - I wonder if the sign I remember is still there at Providence Forge Presbyterian Church!?!?

Two of the performers ("twins" Denise and Dennis) came out to prepare us for the show -- we were told that we were part of the congregation for a special Saturday night sing and we should feel free to participate in any way that we were comfortable!

The show started with the pastor of the church coming out, noticeably distraught over something -- he eventually shared that he didn't know where the Sanders Family was - they had been here, but he directed them to a quick eating place and they had not yet returned!

Eventually the family arrived -- they had had a mishap with their vehicle and had to get help to return to the church.

Our favorite performer of the family was June -- she was the only non-singing member of the family, so "Mama" had her doing other things -- playing very *interesting* instruments (this was a jawbone)...

... and signing for the songs...

... no matter that there was no one deaf in the audience...

... Mama wanted her to sign...

... because she "needed the practice!"

She had very interesting sign language too! We sang along and laughed and "Amen'd" and clapped -- it was like going to a Saturday night singing service!

After stopping at Golden Corral for lunch, we headed over to Sight & Sound Theater...

Beautiful building, beautiful day!

Lion and the Lamb statue in the front of the building.

That's what we've come to see!

No pictures or video during the production... this was before the show started.

At intermission, the stage showed palace at Susa...

The stage wrapped around 3 sides of the auditorium -- we had been told that sitting in the upper seats was better for this show, and it was good so we weren't having to look over our shoulders for the scenes happening on the sides of the stage.

Here we are with the palace of Susa behind us!

The production of Queen Esther was outstanding! The stage components were amazing -- huge parts of the stage would move to reveal the insides of different buildings where we had seen someone enter, and the scene would continue on the inside of the building. Horses and goats and llama and doves and parrots (and probably other creatures that I don't remember!) were part of the cast. It was very enjoyable and we enjoyed their interpretation of the scriptures!