TAPROOT THEATRE COMPANY - SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN - October 7 - November 7, 2026 Review
SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN
Book by Connie Ray
Conceived by Alan Bailey
Musical arrangements by Mike Craver and Mark Hardwick
Directed by Scott Nolte
Taproot Theatre Company
Seattle, WA
October 16th Performance Review
If you heard that, that was me letting out a big sigh before I started writing this review. Why you ask? Well, let me tell you why.
This latest iteration of the show Smoke on the Mountain at Taproot Theatre left me in a hard place as a reviewer. I had read the synopsis before agreeing to review the show. When I say read I mean I skimmed it over, was 50/50 about it, but reminded myself that every (and I mean every) Taproot Theatre musical has been to my liking. So, I decided to make time in my schedule to review the show.
I and almost every theatre goer I know recognizes that Taproot Theatre is a religious company. Christian, if we go by the board of directors. This has never been lost on me - all the way back to the first show I reviewed in 2018. I figured this show would be geared towards a mainstream theatre going audience.
What I deduced in my simple mind is that there are three groups (for simplicity's sake). Patrons that are Christians (of any denomination). Patrons that are religious but perhaps not Christian (Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, etc.). And patrons that are not religious. Of course there could be other groups but for this review I’ll go with these three.
Smoke on the Mountain takes place in a Baptist Church in North Carolina in 1938.
As the story unfolds, there are many songs performed, all with Christian lyrics. Yes, it fits the storyline. I totally understand that. The actors performed these songs, switching instruments depending on the song, to great effect. They were a talented bunch. I’m a musician so I should hopefully know a skilled musician when I hear one. There was skill aplenty here. The singing voices were equally strong (except for one but that was merely a preference on my end - it had nothing to do with the quality of the vocal performance). All sounds good, yes?
This leads me to my long winded point. If you’re in either of the two aforementioned groups, you’ll love this show or at least enjoy this show because you will identify with the religious themes therein.
However, respectfully, if you fall into the third category, like myself, you may find yourself looking for the exit door. I was not comfortable at this performance. I wish I had taken more time to really assess what the show might be like before agreeing to review it. Again, different strokes here, folks. Many of you reading this will take great pleasure watching a show like this. I have no doubt in my mind about that. But, it just wasn’t for me. Pure and simple.
So - ask yourself where you fall on the topic of religion and then make an informed decision before attending Smoke on the Mountain. I’ll do this myself moving forward with any production I attend in the greater Seattle area.
”Smoke on the Mountain” is now playing through November 7th. Tickets are available: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
(This review was written by a credentialed media member who is an actual human being. No Artificial Intelligence programs were used in any part of its creation.)
Book by Connie Ray
Conceived by Alan Bailey
Musical arrangements by Mike Craver and Mark Hardwick
Directed by Scott Nolte
Taproot Theatre Company
Seattle, WA
October 16th Performance Review
(From left: Jeremy Steckler as Dennis Sanders, Sam Vance as Burl Sanders, Mike Oliver as Stanley Sanders, and Echo Joy Vance as Denise Sander in Taproot's production of Smoke on the Mountain (October 2026). Photo by Giao Nguyen.)
If you heard that, that was me letting out a big sigh before I started writing this review. Why you ask? Well, let me tell you why.
This latest iteration of the show Smoke on the Mountain at Taproot Theatre left me in a hard place as a reviewer. I had read the synopsis before agreeing to review the show. When I say read I mean I skimmed it over, was 50/50 about it, but reminded myself that every (and I mean every) Taproot Theatre musical has been to my liking. So, I decided to make time in my schedule to review the show.
I and almost every theatre goer I know recognizes that Taproot Theatre is a religious company. Christian, if we go by the board of directors. This has never been lost on me - all the way back to the first show I reviewed in 2018. I figured this show would be geared towards a mainstream theatre going audience.
What I deduced in my simple mind is that there are three groups (for simplicity's sake). Patrons that are Christians (of any denomination). Patrons that are religious but perhaps not Christian (Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, etc.). And patrons that are not religious. Of course there could be other groups but for this review I’ll go with these three.
Smoke on the Mountain takes place in a Baptist Church in North Carolina in 1938.
As the story unfolds, there are many songs performed, all with Christian lyrics. Yes, it fits the storyline. I totally understand that. The actors performed these songs, switching instruments depending on the song, to great effect. They were a talented bunch. I’m a musician so I should hopefully know a skilled musician when I hear one. There was skill aplenty here. The singing voices were equally strong (except for one but that was merely a preference on my end - it had nothing to do with the quality of the vocal performance). All sounds good, yes?
This leads me to my long winded point. If you’re in either of the two aforementioned groups, you’ll love this show or at least enjoy this show because you will identify with the religious themes therein.
However, respectfully, if you fall into the third category, like myself, you may find yourself looking for the exit door. I was not comfortable at this performance. I wish I had taken more time to really assess what the show might be like before agreeing to review it. Again, different strokes here, folks. Many of you reading this will take great pleasure watching a show like this. I have no doubt in my mind about that. But, it just wasn’t for me. Pure and simple.
So - ask yourself where you fall on the topic of religion and then make an informed decision before attending Smoke on the Mountain. I’ll do this myself moving forward with any production I attend in the greater Seattle area.
”Smoke on the Mountain” is now playing through November 7th. Tickets are available: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
(Taproot's production of Smoke on the Mountain (October 2026). Photo by Giao Nguyen.)
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