Wherever you call home, Highlands has a winter remedy full of family fun. “Home For The Holidays,” the last Mountain Theatre Company production of the year, brings an inside look at holiday magic.
This year’s production shares a name with last year’s, but the plot is an original from Scott Daniel, executive artistic director of Mountain Theatre Company. Highlanders who are home for the holidays will join a piano-playing Mrs. Claus and ensemble of elves preparing for a Christmas livestream to help lift Christmas spirits.
Mountain Theatre Company is also bringing back audience participation in the form of a Spirit-o-meter, a light up prop available at the concessions stand.
“We’re excited about this new version of the show. It’s also longer than last year, it’ll be two acts with an intermission. There’s some really fun new numbers we’re excited about,” said Lindsay Garner Hostetler, marketing and outreach director.
Hostetler also said fans and guests will be greeted by new and old favorites. The music will share some of the songs as last year’s show, but there’s plenty of novelty. Fans can expect a comedic rendition of “Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer,” holiday favorites like “Winter Wonderland,” a jazz rendition of “Mr. Grinch,” gospels like “O Holy Night,” a Hannaukah song, and a vocal performance of “Carol of the Bells.”
The musical leaves scenes for numbers. There is acting and a plot, but the prime show is the musical and dance sequences.
Hostetler said audiences should also be greeted by new and old talent.
“It should be fun for audiences to meet new faces but also recognize some folks on stage they’ve seen in other productions,” Hostetler said.
Mountain Theatre Company is known for their quick turnarounds from production to the stage. Actors for “Home For The Holidays” arrived the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and the set designers showed up last week.
“We work with professional actors and professional designers. They’re very good at what they do,” Hostetler said. “It’s a quick rehearsal process, but that’s a level of what you can do when you’ve got professionals as high caliber as we do.”
One final new signature will be hot chocolate available at the concessions stand. It can be made with peppermint schnapps or not. Normal concessions are still available.
Hostetler said last year’s show had a pretty significant turnout, and Mountain Theatre is expecting similar attendance levels this year to match the newer and bigger show.
On opening night, Scott Daniel, artistic director of Mountain Theatre Company, said this was the most successful season in 85 years. Next year’s season will be the largest to date, but it depends on the community.
“You are the last piece of the puzzle,” Daniel said. “You are the one thing we can’t rehearse, a live audience.”
Next year’s season is a season of escape. It starts with “Grease,” “Catch Me If You Can,” “The Burnt Part Boys,” and another rendition of “Home For The Holidays.”