The play “Gold in the Hills” is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running show, but the melodrama is much more than just a record-breaker. It is also a Vicksburg Theatre Guild performance that brings together family and friends, all of whom enjoy being part of a long-held Vicksburg tradition.

“Over the years, we have become one big family,” “Gold in the Hills” performer Sarah Goss said. “It’s like our family reunion every year.”

Performed twice a year, “Gold in the Hills” is offered in the spring and in the fall and this year’s 2025 spring season is set to kick off March 21 at the Parkside Playhouse Theatre, 101 Iowa Ave.

Goss has been a part of “Gold,” which is how the performers refer to the production, for 15 years and said one of her favorite aspects of being involved is watching younger performers take to the stage and begin honing their acting skills.

“I love watching the kids come in and start out with our youngest role,” she said. “It’s neat watching them grow up over the years and gradually move up into bigger, older roles.”

Goss added it is also heartwarming to watch friendships form and see how those involved grow in “confidence and composure.”

Mike Calnan, another longstanding “Gold” performer, said he can attest to Goss’s reference to the enjoyment of watching young performers grow their thespian skills. In fact, for Calnan, it was watching his daughter as a performer that got he and his wife Karen interested in being part of the show, he said.

“I got started with ‘Gold’ and the VTG the old-fashioned way, through my daughter,” Calnan said. “She (Heather) did young can-can (dancer in ‘Gold in the Hills’) and Fairy Tales (Theater), pulling Karen and me in as transportation and helping with costumes and set work.”

Calnan said he and Karen later became part of “Gold” when they were cast as the Vanderlops — husband and wife characters in the show.

“Karen then graduated to playing Old Kate after Georgina Stanfield moved to Florida, and Heather played Barbara, Mamie, and can-can and I moved upstairs to the light booth to run lights,” he said.

In addition to the melodrama, every “Gold in the Hills” performance includes sing-a-longs held at the beginning of the show and between acts II and III. As musical director of the show, Ruth Osburn also shares her talents on the piano during all the singing. Osburn, who has been at the keyboard since 2002, said she enjoys her role as Madame Pizzicato in “Gold in the Hills.”

“I absolutely love sharing the musical abilities that God has given me,” she said.

And because the performers rotate their roles, Goss said 45 actors are in the cast, 15 of whom are in new roles. And as audience members change, each performance of “Gold in the Hills” is unique.

“Every show is different, in its own right, due to different players,” Osburn said. “So that aspect always makes it interesting, even when the words are the same.”

Shows for the 89th anniversary installment of “Gold in the Hills” will begin at 7:30 p.m. March 21, and will continue at that time March 22, 28,29 and April 4 and 5, as well as at 2 p.m. March 23, 30 and April 6. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for ages 12 and younger. Group rates for 15 or more are $10 and $4 for ages 12 and younger. Tickets for “Gold in the Hills” are available at the box office or online at http://www.showclix.com.

For more information about “Gold in the Hills,” visit  www.e-vtg.com/gold/.