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Holiday one-acts launch Main Street dinner-theater
COLUMBIANA — Main Street Theater has converted the former Encore Cafe into a banquet room, which will be unveiled this weekend during “In the Spirit,” a holiday-themed dinner-theater production.
“We will also be starting our Dinner and a Show package with this performance,” said Don Arthurs, owner of the theater. Each $35 ticket includes dinner in the new Encore Room and a reserved seat in the attached theater. Show-only tickets are $10 ($5 for children 10 and under).
A wall has been added in the reconfigured Encore space to separate the kitchen and dining areas, and the decor has been changed to match the theater.
Stephen Grant, who owns Chopper’s Catering in Columbiana, is the chef.
Patrons will be served at the table, not buffet style. The menu for “In the Spirit” will consist of either prime rib au jus with horseradish cream or chicken marsala. Side dishes include mashed potatoes with garlicky green beans, salad, rolls, dessert and beverages.
Arthurs said 50 Dinner and a Show tickets will be sold for each performance.
Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with the show at 8. On Sunday, the dinner will begin immediately after the 4 p.m. show, probably around 6:30.
The show itself is also something new, as it is the inaugural effort of Sam Luptak Jr.’s Centaur Stage Productions.
Luptak is a veteran of the Mahoning Valley theater scene. “It’s the start of a production company and kind of my dream,” said Luptak, “We are hoping to do another one in late spring or early summer at Main Street.”
Luptak was most recently seen acting in “The Black Cat” and “The Crucible” at the Victorian Players in Youngstown. After “In the Spirit” closes, he will immediately begin work as director of “Sherlock Holmes, The Final Adventure” at the Victorian.
“In the Spirit” consists of three one-act plays, ranging from 20 minutes to 45 minutes: Thornton Wilder’s “The Long Christmas Dinner,” directed by Tom Smith; “The Implausible Claus,” directed by Maureen Gregory; and O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi,” directed by Luptak.
A group of veteran actors has been assembled for the one-acts, including Amber Fry, Brian Lee, Caty Sacui, Cherie Stebner, Chloe Noel Housteau, Christopher Fidram, Crystal (Kitty) Niemi, Curtis Tharp, Gerri Sullivan, Jennifer Milligan, Li Stebner, Maureen Gregory, Roslyn Blystone, Ryan Newell and Luptak.
“We wanted to do a show that was positive and very much a family- oriented Christmas program that wasn’t just shepherds in bathrobes,” said Luptak, describing the selection process. “We wanted a high-quality theater experience that captures the essence of the season without being overtly religious.”
“The Long Christmas Dinner” traverses 90 years of Christmas dinners in one American family’s home. It depicts the development of the countryside, changes in customs and manners and the growth of the family and its accumulation of property.
“It’s a brilliant script,” said Luptak. “I almost like it better than [Wilder’s] ‘Our Town.’”
In the play, two of the actors — Chris Fidram and Li Stebner — age by many decades. “Li goes from a teen to her late 80s,” said Luptak.
“The Implausible Claus” is about a girl who uses her computer to find out who is at the other end of the Santa hot line: an old man named Aaron Lefkowitz, with whom she strikes up an unusual friendship.
“The Gift of the Magi” is based on the classic O. Henry story about a young couple unable to afford presents for each other on their first Christmas together. Each sacrifices a treasure to provide a gift for the other but, in so doing, works at almost tragically funny cross-purposes.