'Sanders Family Christmas' Returns to Marietta Square

The Sanctified Sanders Family Singers return to Marietta Square to celebrate the holidays with faith, family and old-fashioned fun. Sanders Family Christmas, starring the original Theatre in the Square cast, plays Dec. 13-22, at First United Methodist Church of Marietta’s Family Life Hall (56 Whitlock Ave., Marietta).

The Depression is coming to a close, but 18 days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the threat of war has just begun. World War II provides the underpinning to the story of a family living in the rural town of Mount Pleasant. They are about to say goodbye to their only son, who is shipping out with the Marine Corps. But before he goes, the Sanders Family Singers are heading up the annual Christmas celebration at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church.

Alan Kilpatrick reprises his role as Rev. Mervin Oglethorpe, who works part-time at the local pickle plant. Joining Kilpatrick in reprising their roles are Scott DePoy as the black sheep of the family Uncle Stanley, JP Peterson as Burl Sanders—the family’s patriarch, Karen Howell as his Scripture-quoting wife Vera Sanders, Jeremy Wood and Laura Floyd as the twins Dennis and Denise Sanders, and Jennifer Akin as their sister June Sanders.

Conceived by Alan Bailey and written by Connie Ray, Sanders Family Christmas is a nostalgic comedy set to holiday carols and is the second of three installments of the Sanders family’s life. 

The original Smoke on the Mountain was produced last year by The Atlanta Lyric. Its sequels, Sanders Family Christmas and Mount Pleasant Homecoming, premiered at Theatre in the Square in 1991.  

Sanders Family Christmas is directed by Alan Kilpatrick and Karen Howell, and features music direction by Michael Monroe.

Sanders Family Christmas is not part of The Atlanta Lyric season subscription package. Tickets are general admission $33, $28 for seniors and students. 

Visit www.AtlantaLyricTheatre.com for reservations and information.