Hall, the Ahwahnee Hotel’s signature
public space. Then, trumpets sound
and guests are escorted to their
tables in the dining hall. Their
convivial conversation is interrupted
as lights dim and a solemn chorus
sings, its melodious voices filling the
massive space. What ensues at the
home of Squire Bracebridge is part
musical, part farce and ultimately
a whimsical celebration of the
season, where no one is wrong and
everything turns out right. The
French Chef and Housekeeper battle
over what foods to present to Squire
Bracebridge for Christmas dinner,
the jester deploys himself into the
audience to prank unsuspecting
guests (except for the year a
ring-tailed cat wandered on stage,
upstaging the jester!). Other
characters in this flamboyant
production include the woodsman, a
courtesan, as well as a host of choral
singers and an impressive peacock
comprised of 1,300 feathers, all
of whom intermingle to create a
luxurious holiday show. Many props
are original, dating from the 1920s
including the boar’s head, and baron
of beef. But to keep the show more
contemporary, Fulton updated it to
be more reflective of current times
62