Main Street Theater plans dinner theater production for Dec. 5-7
By KEVIN HOWELL, Salem News staff writerFact Box
- WHAT: "Finding Columbiana's Christmas"
Dinner Theater
-WHO: Main Street Theater in Columbiana
-WHEN: 8 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6, and 2 p.m.
Dec. 7
-COST: $10 for adults and $5 for children 10
and under, plus a suggested donation
of one toy
-FOR TICKETS: Call 330-482-9647, visit
www.mytheatercompany.com, stop by the
Encore Cafe
The Main Street Theater is helping Columbiana find Christmas in its dinner theater production of "Finding Columbiana's Christmas" Dec. 5-7.
Written, with wife Lynette, produced and directed by Columbiana resident Jim Couchenour, the story tells of Santa's search for the city after a North Pole expatriate deleted it from his GPS device. An elf trio will lead the the audience in the singing of Christmas carols which help Santa find the different quadrants of the city, before a surprise twist emphasizes the meaning of the holiday.
The production is a multi-media one, incorporating video and a light show, Couchenour said.
In addition to Couchenour as Dr. Pruderhime, the South Pole scientist helping Santa, the cast includes Dan Haueter as Garth, the "bad guy;" "Voice of Main Street Theater" winner Greg Sprouse as Gare, Santa's current GPS guru; Jack
Johnston as Santa; Paige Hopper as the little girl; and Jamie Walker, Scott Couchenour and Chip Richter as the singing elf trio.
The show also features special guest appearances by local officials, including Mayor Dave Spatholt, Police Chief John Krawchyk, City Manager Keith Chamberlin, Joshua Dixon Elementary Principal Kim Sharshan, the Joshua Dixon first grade class, Heartland Christian School students and city residents.
Incorporating community members and set in Columbiana, the production is one that the audience will relate to personally, Couchenour said.
"One of the unique things about the production is that it is about Columbiana," he said. "There has been a renaissance in the town, and I wanted to showcase that."
There is another little twist beyond the plot ending, though, according to Theater Manager Tammy Crismon.
Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under, but attendees are asked to bring a one-toy donation, which will be given to the Way Station to distribute to the needy.
"People will have the chance to be entertained and give back, which is a nice twist to the usual Christmas productions," she said.
Drawing a parallel with the "true" meaning of Christmas, Couchenour said he hopes people are touched by the production.
"I want to take people through an emotional experience that signifies what the first Christmas was, and I hope I've accomplished that," he said.
Showtimes are 8 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6, and 2 p.m. Dec. 7.
For tickets call the theater at 330-482-9647, visit www.mytheatercompany.com or stop by the Encore Cafe next to the theater.
