Curtain Call After Helene

Hurricanes are not supposed to hit the mountains. But of course, we all felt the wrath of Hurricane Helene in September 2024, when she tore through areas in the Carolinas she was never meant to touch. While some towns had far more tragedy than others, Highlands and Cashiers saw some flooding and thousands of trees seemingly ripped from the land, causing widespread power outages and unsafe road conditions. Whether due to physical damage or simply out of an abundance of caution, many businesses were forced to close for quite some time—including Mountain Theatre Company, just before their debut of The Burnt Part Boys.

“In the wake of that devastation, postponing The Burnt Part Boys wasn't just a logical decision; it was an act of care and respect for our neighbors. Our stage could wait; what mattered most was the safety and well-being of our community,” says Erin Knowles, Director of Marketing and Outreach for Mountain Theatre Company. It was certainly not an easy decision to make, one that cost the theatre both monetarily and emotionally. Many weeks of hard work and rehearsals, set design, marketing…felt just as uprooted and lost as did the forest in Helene’s wake.

Mountain Theatre Company was practically built on uplifting the community during times of immense hardship. Formed in 1931 as a means to bring some theatrical magic to the plateau during The Great Depression, it has long been the theatre’s mission to be an escape and beacon all at once. “In places like the Highlands-Cashiers plateau, theatre offers more than just entertainment—it fosters connection, conversation, and shared cultural experiences. Live theatre brings together people of all ages and backgrounds, creating a space where stories can reflect our values, challenge our perspectives, and strengthen our sense of community,” says Knowles.

Postponing The Burnt Part Boys, especially, was rubbing salt in the wound. The musical, set in Appalachia no less, is all about suffering immense loss, navigating grief, self-reliance—all things many people in Appalachia were suddenly experiencing in real time, in very real ways. The theatre and the actors set to bring The Burnt Part Boys to life were devastated to disappoint the community, especially when it felt they needed them.

More than just a couple hours’ reprieve from day-to-day life, Mountain Theatre Company helps support the plateau’s economy. “It stimulates the local community by attracting visitors, supporting nearby businesses, and providing opportunities for education and engagement,” says Knowles. During a time when many local officials were urging people not to travel into Western North Carolina, any place that could welcome guests surely felt obliged to do so—including Highlands and Cashiers.

Having made the tough decision to shelve The Burnt Part Boys for the time being, Mountain Theatre Company forged ahead, determined to bring theatrical cheer to the community with their annual Home for The Holidays production—but they weren’t giving up on The Burnt Part Boys. In fact, they immediately slated it for their 2025 Mainstage Season, with a run in August. “Bringing the production to life nearly a year later has been extremely meaningful. Our team, cast, and patrons approached it with a renewed sense of purpose, and the story of The Burnt Part Boys, with its themes of healing, loss, and moving forward, resonated more deeply than ever,” says Knowles.

By ensuring The Burnt Part Boys was brought to the plateau, the Mountain Theatre Company again proved not only its commitment to the arts and storytelling, but to the community as a whole. It is just one more promise made that was kept, a testament to staying true to their values of providing the community with entertainment, to showcase our resiliency, and to bookend its own healing. It was, in a way, another symbol that the people and the spirit of Appalachia could not be broken by Hurricane Helene—or we might borrow a phrase from the theatre: the show must go on.

If you would like to play a role in keeping Mountain Theatre Company going strong for future generations, there are many ways to help: you can make a monetary donation, inquire about advertisement opportunities, or simply immerse yourself in the stories they tell on stage. The 2025 season will wrap with Home for The Holidays, which runs from December 5th - 21st; tickets range from $58 - $78. Students under 18 see the show for free.

For donation opportunities or more ticket information, please visit www.MountainTheatre.com.