COLUMBIANA, Ohio — The inaugural production of the new Indigo Family Theater, the radio play “It’s a Wonderful Life,” will open a two-weekend run Friday at the Main Street Theater.
The theater company was formed this year with the goal of bringing live theater back to Columbiana.
“We’ve seen the great people of this region rally behind our efforts and we know we all benefit from family-oriented entertainment,” said Dan Hudock, Chairman of Indigo’s Board of Directors.
The radio play will be played at 7 p.m. on December 9, 10, 16 and 17; and 2 p.m. on December 11 and 18.
Tickets are $19 for general admission and $16 for seniors, students, and veterans, and can be purchased in advance online or at the theater before each performance.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” features a cast of 17 local professional and amateur actors. It’s the same classic story of George and Mary Bailey and Clarence the Angel, made famous by the 1946 film starring Jimmy Stewart.
But like a radio play, the audience hears the voices and sees the actors and others doing the sound effects. It’s like listening to a play on the radio and seeing the actors and performers in the studio.
Kristine Caporale is the director.
Indigo Family Theater’s mission is to provide wholesome drama, musicals, improv, and other avenues of entertainment. The volunteer-run company plans to produce five plays in 2023. For more information, visit indigofamilytheater.org.
Playhouse will present “A Tuna Christmas”
YOUNGSTOWN – The Youngstown Playhouse will present the comedy plays “A Tuna Christmas” for six performances: 7:30 p.m. on December 9, 10, 16 and 17; and 2:30 p.m. on December 11 and 18.
The show is a sequel to “Greater Tuna,” the hit comedy by Ed Howard, Jaston Williams and Joe Sears set in a sleepy Texas town.
The plot revolves around an inexplicable ghost who vandalizes the annual Christmas yard display contest. Other residents of the quirky town move in and out of the plot as well. Pat Foltz is Playhouse’s production manager. The cast includes Molly Galano, Denise Sculli, Candace DiLullo, Jeanine Rees and Joanna Andrei.
Tickets are $17 and can be purchased in advance here.
‘A Christmas Carol’ at the Salem Theater
SALEM, Ohio – The Salem Community Theater will present the classic Dickensian tale “A Christmas Carol” for two weekends.
Performances will be at 7 p.m. on December 9, 10, 16 and 17; and 2 p.m. on December 11 and 18. The theater is at 490 E. State St.
Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at the door or in advance at salemcommunitytheatre.org.
Pictured are actors Scott Sparks, Ali Baker, Richard Smiley and Jamie Boley.
Hometown Holiday Market this weekend
NEW CASTLE, Pa. — Cascade Galleria in downtown New Castle will host the 2nd Annual Hometown Holiday Market on Friday, Dec. 9, from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Saturday 10 December, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday, December 11 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
It will feature unique, handmade gift ideas from over 60 local artisans, bakers, jewelers, brewers, artisans and more.
Santa Mrs. Claus, as well as the Grinch, will visit the mall every day. Parents can take their own photos or use the services of a photographer, who will provide the service for $5.
Family horse and carriage rides will be available for $25 on Sundays, taking groups of four for 15-minute rides. Carriage rides are provided by Misty Lane Farms Performance Horses. Reservations are recommended; call 724 283 5614.
The Hometown Holiday Market offers a nostalgic experience for those who remember when the mall was a place of destination.
Cascade Galleria, formerly the Town Mall, reopened in December 2021 for this event and has since added six new permanent stores: Bones ‘n’ Stones, Swogger Lane, Locke & Key Boutique, Game Changers, R&E’s House of Horrors and Love & Pawsitivity. .
The return of the holiday market of Barko and his friends
YOUNGSTOWN – The Third Annual Steel Town Studios and Friends Christmas Market, Youngstown-area graphic artist Bob Barko Jr., will be held Saturday, Dec. 10 and Sunday, Dec. 11 at Concept Studio, 217 W. Federal St., Center -town. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. both days. Free entry.
The market will showcase Barko’s Youngstown pop culture art, along with works by seven other local artists. They are:
• Jody Cercone: repurposed stage and studio fixtures.
• Will Duck Jr.: paintings.
• Dash and Verve Design by Megan Factor: hand-written home decor and custom creations.
• Mary Ann O’Leary: jewelry and photography.
• Daniel Rauschenbach: pottery and works of art.
• The Sea Glass Sisters by Jill Chambers and Dawn Elaine Muder: Lake Erie Beach Art.
Taylor Swift Smarts Ticket Raffle Benefits
YOUNGSTOWN — Arts-driven students (Smarts) are raffling off two VIP tickets to the June 167 Taylor Swift concert at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. The tickets were donated to Smarts by Larry Mohn III and Sarra Mohn to help the band raise funds for future programming. Both Mohn children attended classes at Smarts, an inner-city community arts school that provides access and early training from kindergarten to 12.e level students.
Smarts sells 1,000 chances at $100 each to win the pair of Taylor Swift tickets; to purchase, go to https://one.bidpal.net/taylorswift.
The donors paid $1,110 each for the tickets.
To learn more, visit smartsartschool.org.
Pictured above: The voice cast of Indigo Family Theater’s ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ radio play includes Curtis Shaffer, Lisa Bircher, Steve Halas and Richard McBane.
Copyright 2022 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.