HCP’s Christmas Show

Issue: December 2023

Virginia Talbot and Dean Zuch revise the highly anticipated ‘The Bickersons’ in
Highlands Cashiers Players Christmas Show.

For years one of everyone’s favorite things about Christmas on the Plateau was the free Highlands Cashiers Players (HCP) Christmas Show, annually presented for the benefit of their many supporters.

But three years ago, the show was discontinued along with HCP performances due to circumstances that evolved following the onset of the Pandemic in 2020. Now the Highlands Cashiers Players have returned to the stage and the free Christmas show returns to the Performing Arts Center on December 19 at 7:30 PM.

Part of what makes HCP’s holiday show so special is that it reminds us all of what makes living in Highlands so remarkable – community and culture. As HCP President and former psychological researcher, Ron Leslie pointed out, “artistic and economic opportunities, along with community participation are essential for thriving communities.”

In revitalizing the holiday production, HCP is returning to the original and much beloved format of former years. The more than one hour show will include two vignettes – 8- to 10-minute performances that take you into a place in time, that are normally an isolated scene from what may be part of a larger production.

One of which, and highly anticipated is the return of the Bickersons, to be portrayed by Virginia Talbot and Dean Zuch. A minor sensation when it first appeared on NBC radio in 1946, it became a cult classic. Both a parody of marriage and a humorous evocation of postwar life, the protagonists, then played by Don Ameche and Frances Langford, spent nearly all their time in a hilarious verbal warfare.

Veteran actors Michael Lanzilotta and Susan Kent will appear in a second humorous vignette, the subject of which is yet to be announced.

Other featured entertainment will include six readings which are typically a favorite poem or a description of a theme, and holiday music – normally a choral group. At the time of this writing, Leslie told me that he was in conversation with several groups and he was hoping to secure the Mountain Singers, although it was still undecided.

Also, to be reenacted is the tradition of being led downstairs for refreshments by the Lucia Bride, as a portrayal of a traditional Swedish folk custom.

Laurel Fleming has agreed to reprise her role as Highlands Lucia Bride – though perhaps now more appropriately as Lucia Matron. Light Christmas foods, punch and wine will be offered.

As Leslie said, “The evening is meant to be a pleasant and fun cultural event for the entire family. It has traditionally been our gift to the community.”

More details are at highlandscashiersplayers.com.