Sam, Inge, Cerwin and I thoroughly enjoyed this play which was written by Gail Blanton and held at Lampeter Church of the Brethren, near Willow Street.

Our connection to The Promise Players presentations is Sam’s daughter Debbie and son-in-law Lanny who are involved in its production in a variety of ways.

I posted a lot of pictures after learning that the cast enjoys seeing these.

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Saturday Afternoon, March 16

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Preface from the Internet and program:

Sarah Mae and Her Kinfolk is an ensemble-style, family musical set in southern Appalachia in the 1930s. The setting is a reunion at the old home place. Some family members travel from various parts of the South, while others reside in or near the homestead.

Sarah Mae and Her Kinfolk is made up of monologues, dialogues and music with a mountain point of view.

As the family gathers, they navigate the joys and challenges typical of any family. Being mountain folk, they deal with a passel of characters who build their own stills, bury moonshine in Mason jars in the flowerbeds, and marry young. Balance that against strong mountain faith, a relative who was raised from the dead, and a family who often erupt into gospel songs.

Sarah Mae and Her Kinfolk are some of the most interesting people you’ll ever meet. The topics are so universal that they will be understood and accepted by most in the audience. Your will probably leave Sarah Mae’s presence believing that she and her kinfolk actually exist.

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We were early enough to sit in the front row where I took a few pictures of props as we waited for the play to begin.

These two prepared us for the afternoon with information about the play, bathrooms and cell phones, using dialogue like they were living in the 1930s. 🙂

Act 1

These three and the pianist opened with Old Joe Clark.

Sarah Mae began with a monologue about her family and the upcoming reunion as she removed her hat and shoes.

She lives in the old homestead.

Power in the Blood – a piano duet

Farther Along by George and Lawrence

Discussing the upcoming reunion and Sarah Mae’s dirty feet.

A young relative sweeping the floor in preparation for the family gathering.

Relatives begin arriving and filling up the house.

The following songs were interwoven with dialogue as more and more family members arrived: Victory in Jesus; Love Me, Love My Child; Jesus Thou Art Standing; Revive us Again; Just a Little Talk with Jesus and I’m Living in Canaan Now.

Our friend Lanny (hat)

Act 2

The family reunion continued with more monologue, dialogue and gospel singing. The songs in Act 2 were: When We All Get to Heaven; Leaning on the Everlasting Arms; Since Jesus Came Into My Heart; Step Into the Water; Down to the River to Pray; Just as I Am; The Sweetest Song I Know; When the Roll is Called Up Yonder; I’ll Fly Away; Will the Circle Be Unbroken and This World is Not My Home.

This family member was not about to surrender to belief in Jesus or a life of faith in God.

He began to slowly change the direction of his life of unbelief to one of faith as the reunion came to a close.

Curtain Call as they sang This World Is Not My Home.

Oh, what a delightful presentation.

Whoever was in charge of the production and choreography did a superb job.