SULLIVAN - For the first time, the Little Theatre-On the Square is hosting a full schedule of winter programs this year.

John Stephens, director of marketing, said the theater has hosted a mini-schedule over the winter in the past, but this year it will include five shows.

"Since we have a full staff, it's silly not to produce shows year-round," Stephens said.

Stephens said winter productions began in 1995 with a Christmas show and have been building ever since. Now, the only time the theater will not be running shows continually is in September and January.

The first of the five shows this winter is "Smoke on the Mountain," which opens Oct. 13. Stephens said audiences can expect a very funny show with plenty of bluegrass and gospel hits, including "I'll Fly Away."

Other winter shows on the schedule include "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!," a Beatles tribute; "Plaid Tidings," a holiday show about four guys who loved to sing; "A Dash of Rosemary!," a walk through the life of Rosemary Clooney; and "Some Enchanted Evening," a celebration of songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein classic musicals such as "The Sound of Music" and "Oklahoma!"'

"Smoke on the Mountain" was presented at the Little Theatre in 2002, and Stephens said it was a success then. He said he's already pleased with ticket sales for this year.

"The characters in the show talk about the different aspects of religion and how it has shaped their lives," he said. "They tell some funny stories.

"We're selling a lot of packages and single tickets, and we're really excited about it," he added.

Some cast members from 2002 will be back this year, playing the same characters. Bob Payne appeared in "Smoke" and CoCo Sansoni was in its sequel, "Sanders Family Christmas," the same year.

Stephens said what's unique about "Smoke on the Mountain" is that all of the actors play their own instruments. There is no orchestra.

"They sing and accompany each other with everything from a guitar to an upright bass," he said.

Stephens said the theater recruits through an artistic director in Arizona who holds auditions in New York and other cities four times a year. The director also casts actors he works with in Arizona for the Little Theatre.

Stephens said the theater's STAR (Students, Theater, Arts, Reach) program will kick off in a few weeks. It features three actors who do about 200 shows each year at area schools. This year, each of the actors wrote original scripts for the shows.

"We're very excited that we can do that this year," Stephens said.

The shows are geared toward kindergarten through eighth-grade students and involve a lot of hands-on activities and audience participation. One, called "Cavern of Crete," is an introduction to Greek mythology. Stephens said the subject matter is character-building, and it reviews good versus evil.

Tickets for winter shows are $25 per show or $105 for all five. For more information, visit the Little Theatre's Web site at www.thelittletheatre.org or call 728-7375.

The Little Theatre will celebrate its 50th anniversary with the opening of next year's summer season.

Kate Henderson can be reached at khenderson@jg-tc.com or 238-6858.