Stage Write

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre celebrates its 40th Season with three fabulous new shows to its stage and several popular favorites from its richly entertaining repertoire. Kicking off the season is the hilarious classic Arsenic & Old Lace . Opening Dec. 28, 2012, this comedy follows the deadly deeds of two charming elderly spinsters who believe they are rescuing their lonely lodgers by poisoning them and burying their bodies in the cellar. Between their special secret and their brother who believes he is Teddy Roosevelt, their nephew is in for quite a surprise when he pays them a visit! On stage through Feb. 3. Book by Joseph Kesselring. Next on stage is the debut of the high-energy hit 9 to 5: The Musical . With music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, and based on the hit 1980 movie in which she starred, 9 to 5 is the story of three female coworkers who plot to get even with their sexist and egotistical boss – and take over the company while they’re at it! Outrageous, though...

Beef & Boards has toned down the razzle dazzle in this year’s Christmas show. The quieter production is hugely improved by sweet Christmas carols and a heavy reliance on the talented Holidaires instead of flying reindeer or goofy elves. The quartet is made up of three Smoke on the Mountain veterans and Jillian Wallach, a new addition to B&B. Jayson Elliott, Sarah Hund and John Vessels have proved their talent in a dozen shows over the past couple years and this performance is no exception. The production is at its best when it allows its performers to relax into roles they excel at. Vessels has a wonderful voice and a unique ability to pull off the silliest bits. He never fails to delight audiences. Elliott and Hund, in addition to being able to sing, can each play multiple instruments. Their talent is showcased wonderfully as they playfully duel on banjoes, fiddles, guitars and harmonicas. Each of the singers held their own, but newcomer Wallach shone the brightest. She took t...

For the third year in a row Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre has filled its July show slot with the music of the Sander's family. This third installment of "Smoke on the Mountains" has the Sanders family performing their hymns and bluegrass songs on Christmas eve. Set in 1941, the Sanders family returns to Mount Pleasant Baptist Church for a Christmas performance. The country has just gone to war and one of the Sanders' own, Dennis (played by the incredibly talented musician Andrew Ross), is set to ship out in a few days. Fans of the past two shows will not be disappointed this year. Those who are new to the Sanders family's antics are sure to love the "Sanders Family Christmas." The same cast returns with the addition of Laura Goins and Lynne Perkins, portraying Dennis' twin sister Denise and Vera, the group's matriarch respectively. Sarah Hund returns as June, the member of the Sanders clan who is "skilled" in sign language. June coul...