“For 30 years, Winford Doke, CPA, has been the venerated host of ConAm’s Annual Xmas Spectacular, featuring Winford’ glorious rendition of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
However, four hours ago Winford Doke was fired, leaving his assistant, Artie Isaac, to take over the holiday duties.
Taking the stage with no time to prepare, and only Doke’s stubborn stage hand, Jo Anne, to help him through it, Artie faces down the ultimate December Dilemma.”
That’s the set-up for Available Light’s original holiday production, “ConAm’s Annual Xmas Spectacular,” written by Available Light director Matt Slaybaugh, Killadelphia writer/actor Sean Christopher Lewis and bow-tie wearing AdMan and the star of the show, Artie Isaac. “ConAm” is a brand new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” retold with all the joy — and contemporary complexity — of the season, in the way only a bow-tie clad, PowerPoint-wielding accountant could tell it.
It’s no secret that I love Available Light – professional, independent, inspiring theatre. One of the best things about Available Light is that their shows are pay what you want. I know a lot of people in Central Ohio who love theatre but never go to shows because they can’t afford tickets. But with Available Light’s shows… well, c’mon, bring your lunch to work one day and drop $5 for a ticket if that’s all you can afford. It’s ok. Really. They don’t mind. They believe that theatre is too important to be reserved for the economically fortunate.
For this show Available light is charging a minimum of $15+ per seat to help fund the year-round mission of the theatre company. And from my experience with Available Light shows, that’s quite a bargain.
The show opens Thursday and runs through the weekend. You can get tickets here.
Dates: December 10-13, 2009
Location: Columbus Performing Arts Center
Hours: Thurs-Sat 8pm, Sun 2pm
Admission: $15+
Address: 549 Franklin Ave
Web: avltheatre.com
