Highlands Community Players' preview
production of "How the Other Half
Loves" was the Literacy Council's most
successful fund raiser ever.
Replacing the Monte Carlo Night
event, the players presented a special
advance performance of their play to
literacy supporters.
Literacy Council Executive Director
Breta Stroud said that the money it
raised wasn't the only benefit to the
event.
"It was a lot of fun, too," she said.
She said she expects the preview night
to become an annual event.
Before the show on Aug. 15, patrons
gathered downstairs at the
Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts
Center and enjoyed hors d' oeuvres by
Let Holly Do the Cooking as Mary
Finnigan played the piano. Marilyn,
Elvis and Austin Powers were on hand,
at least in cardboard relief, and some
guests had pictures taken with them.
Virginia Talbot, Highlands Community
Players Board member and longtime
actor and director, spent the evening
in character as an entertainment
journalist. Notebook in hand, she
greeted guests upon their entrance as
though they were celebrities arriving at
a Hollywood movie premiere.
Flashbulbs burst as well, thanks to
Dean Zuch, the PAC's executive
director, who snapped pictures nearby,
a card on his hat identified him as a
member of the paparazzi with the word
"press."
Following a brief introduction by Talbot
and Literacy Council president Helene
Siegel, the comedy began, soon after
and for its duration drawing laughter
from the audience.
production of "How the Other Half
Loves" was the Literacy Council's most
successful fund raiser ever.
Replacing the Monte Carlo Night
event, the players presented a special
advance performance of their play to
literacy supporters.
Literacy Council Executive Director
Breta Stroud said that the money it
raised wasn't the only benefit to the
event.
"It was a lot of fun, too," she said.
She said she expects the preview night
to become an annual event.
Before the show on Aug. 15, patrons
gathered downstairs at the
Martin-Lipscomb Performing Arts
Center and enjoyed hors d' oeuvres by
Let Holly Do the Cooking as Mary
Finnigan played the piano. Marilyn,
Elvis and Austin Powers were on hand,
at least in cardboard relief, and some
guests had pictures taken with them.
Virginia Talbot, Highlands Community
Players Board member and longtime
actor and director, spent the evening
in character as an entertainment
journalist. Notebook in hand, she
greeted guests upon their entrance as
though they were celebrities arriving at
a Hollywood movie premiere.
Flashbulbs burst as well, thanks to
Dean Zuch, the PAC's executive
director, who snapped pictures nearby,
a card on his hat identified him as a
member of the paparazzi with the word
"press."
Following a brief introduction by Talbot
and Literacy Council president Helene
Siegel, the comedy began, soon after
and for its duration drawing laughter
from the audience.
Highlands new Blackberry Hill Bakery
and Deli provided the coffee and
desserts, including baklava and two
types of mousse."We are all thrilled at
the participation of the country clubs
and those that contributed the food
and their time," Stroud said, "and
everyone in the community who bought
tickets."
Different levels of contributor
sponsorship were listed in the program
as well as individually on "Playbills"
posted in the reception hall.
All proceeds from the sold-out event
will help fund programs provided to the
community at no cost, such as
after-school tutoring in all subjects to
any age student and individual adult
literacy instruction. They also offer a
GED program, three levels of English
as a Second Language education and
a computer language lab.
The Literacy Council of Highlands was
founded in 1991, spurred by recent
statistics indicating an extremely high
number of Macon County adults were
functionally illiterate.
At intermission, Literacy Council
board member Matthew Eberz
emceed a drawing. Six prizes were
awarded and consisted of a round
of golf donated by local country
clubs Highlands Cove, Trillium,
Highlands Country Club, High-
lands Falls, Cullasaja Club and
Wildcat Cliffs.
When all prizes were awarded, the
patrons spent the rest of the
intermission in the reception hall for
wine and refreshments, and
returned a final time after the last
act. This time the cast and crew
joined them.
Dean Zuch makes his role of official
photographer with a "press pass"
stuck in his cap.
photographer with a "press pass"
stuck in his cap.
ABOVE: Virginia Talbot greets guests
as they walk into the PAC. LEFT: Matt
Eberz hands out prize during the
intermission of the production "How
the Other Half Loves."
as they walk into the PAC. LEFT: Matt
Eberz hands out prize during the
intermission of the production "How
the Other Half Loves."