Age is Just a Number

highlands nc highlands cashiers players cast

Written by: Mary Jane McCall

Issue: 2025, May 2025

Photographed By: Susan Renfro

highlands-nc-highlands-cashiers-players-cast

Front row, left to right: Donna Cochran, Lorine Spencer, Cathy Myers, David Spivey, and Jane Pleasants; Second row, left to right: Emily Wright, April Getz, and Ricky Siegel. Not pictured: Matthew Eberz

Highlands Cashiers Players continues their 30th season with Social Security opening Thursday, May 15 at the Martin Lipscomb Theater at the Highlands PAC and continuing through Sunday, May 25 with shows Thursday through Sunday.

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday shows are at 7:00 P.M. and Sunday shows are 2:00 P.M. matinees. Following the opening night performance on May 15, a complimentary wine and light bites reception will be held for all attendees.

Veteran HCP director Donna Cochran is directing Social Security and describes the play by Andrew Bergman as a “thought-provoking look at intergenerational relationships-the good and the bad, the give and the take.”

Set in the 1980s, this delightful play revolves around the lives of a sophisticated Manhattan art gallery couple, Barbara and David Kahn. Their orderly existence is thrown into chaos when Barbara’s suburban sister, Trudy, and her husband, Martin, unexpectedly drop off their cantankerous and feisty mother, Sophie, at their apartment.

As Sophie adjusts to city life, she is introduced to Maurice (loosely based on famous Jewish artist Marc Chagall), a charming elderly artist, who- brings out Sophie’s surprising romantic side. Meanwhile, family tensions bubble up, secrets emerge, and the characters navigate generational clashes with humor and heart. The play cleverly explores family dynamics, marriage, aging, and unexpected love.

The gifted cast for the HCP production of the Social Security includes April Getz who appeared in last years hit Always A Bridesmaid as Sedalia Ellicott. Ricky Siegel, popular HCP actor and director, brings his talent to the role of Barbara’s husband, David. Lorine Spencer, whom theater goers will remember as Libby Ruth in Always a Bridesmaid is cast as Barbara’s sister Trudy. Her accountant husband Martin will be played by veteran actor David Spivey. Emily Wright, who has previously appeared for HCP in Savannah Sipping Society and Yesterday, takes on the role of Barbara and Trudy’s mother, Sophie. Matthew Eberz rounds out the cast as Sophie’s love interest, artist Maurice. Cathy Myers is the assistant director and Jayne Pleasants is the line coach.

With this talented cast and the play’s relatable family conflicts, and warm-hearted resolution, HCP’s Social Security is a must see on the Plateau’s art scene this May.

Tickets are available at HighlandsCashiersPlayers.com or the PAC Box Office at (828) 526-9047.

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