"Sanders Family Christmas" to debut Tuesday

The University Playhouse will present "Sanders Family Christmas" from Nov. 30 to Dec. 5, just in time for the holiday season. The play, which was written by Connie Ray and Allan Bailey, will be directed by A&M-Commerce instructor Jim Anderson.

"The play will feature a mixture of faculty, students and community members," Anderson said. "Our auditions are open to anyone."

The play will feature an itinerant Gospel group consisting of mother and father Vera and Burl, Uncle Stanley, daughters June and Denise, and son Dennis. Set a few weeks after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Sanders family has traveled to Mount Pleasant, North Carolina. Dennis has recently volunteered for the Marine Corps, so this might be the last time the family is able to perform together.

A&M-Commerce junior speech communication major Amanda Barrow plays Denise Sanders, the black sheep of the family.

"She's kind of a ditsy, naïve girl," Anderson said. "During the play, she joins the USO (United Service Organization), which scandalizes her family."

As a member of the family, Barrow will sing, a talent she used in the production of the Patsy Cline production.

"Before, my family and friends didn't really know I could sing, so when they came and saw Patsy Cline they were surprised," she said. "It is nerve-wracking, though. You shake a lot."

Denise's twin brother Dennis will be portrayed by A&M-Commerce sophomore communication student Cole Risner.

"Dennis is a recent graduate of Culloway Bible School is now enlisted in the Marine Corps," Risner said. "He has faith in what he is called to do."

Uncle Stanley is played by Jefferey Stirl, fresh off of his role in the most recent University Playhouse production, "Iphigenia."

"He's a born-again Christian with a troubled past," Stirl said. "He served in World War I, so he knows the horrors of war firsthand."

Stirl said the musical aspect of the production appeals to him.

"I've done several musicals before, but this will be my first Southern Gospel one," he said. "As opposed to plays where you generally have to wait until the end of the performance for the crowd's reaction, you generally get an immediate reaction in musicals."

"Sanders Family Christmas" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. from Nov. 30 to Dec. 4 with a special 3 p.m. performance on Dec. 5. Tickets are $3 for students and children, $8 for senior citizens and $10 for adults, and can be purchased at the University Box Office at 903-886-5900.