Local jazz performer brings ‘Christmas’ to Columbiana

By STEPHANIE OTTEY

Jim Couchenour is known for his work in the jazz world, having released two solo albums while also doing a stint with local funk-fusion band SounDoctrine, but now he’s created something entirely different.

Couchenour is crossing into a new medium as his first Christmas musical, “Finding Columbiana’s Christmas,” debuts at the Main Street Theater in Columbiana this weekend. He wrote the book and music for the stage show.

“Finding Columbiana’s Christmas” brings a local and technological spin to Christmas tales. The story begins as Santa Claus, played by Jack Johnston, discovers an error in his new, “helpful” GPS device. Columbiana has been erased from his map!

Without a map to guide the sleigh, it seems that Santa won’t be able to bring Christmas to Columbiana this year. He enlists a small army of elf helpers to fix his GPS, and they fight through a number of obstacles to get the sleigh on course. Hopefully by the end of the night Christmas has been restored, but that all depends on some assistance from the audience.

The show combines audience participation with live music, live acting, video segments and a few cameo appearances “via satellite” so that there’s something for everyone in the family to appreciate.

Columbiana history is also incorporated into the show to give it a local flavor.

“I grew up in the town of Columbiana and wanted to put a show together that celebrates the great community we have here” says Couchenour on why he made the jump into writing a Christmas show. “We just have a great place to live as well as a great community of people.”

But the show isn’t just for people from Columbiana. “This is a story that will resonate with anyone who has an appreciation for community,” Couchenour said. “We hope the audience will be engaged and entertained, and also see once again the real meaning of Christmas.”

The newly renovated Main Street Theater in downtown Columbiana was obviously the best place to premier “Finding Columbiana’s Christmas.”

For his first attempt at incorporating multiple forms of media, Couchenour relied upon his wife, Lynette. She headed the costume design crew for the show and became just as involved as her husband.

The cast includes Greg Sprouse, Dan Haueter, Jack Johnston, Paige Hopper, Couchenour ... and a few surprises.