Ah yes, Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching and you have to find something to do with that special someone. I thought I’d share my plan and expand on one of the Valentine’s Day ideas Scott shared earlier , because Opera Columbus has covered me for part of the weekend. I’ll be attending the opening performance of Romeo & Juliet at the Ohio Theatre with my girlfriend. Performances take place Friday, Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 14 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available here .

Tip: I was able to get my tickets on the cheap. As Opera Columbus shared on their Facebook page , if you use code FANS when buying your tickets, you’ll get a 20% discount.

And I’ll leave you with a fun fact -  the leads, Jonathan Boyd and Malinda Haslett, are a real life married couple. Brian Banion (Friar Lawrence) and Elise DesChamps (Stephano) are also a married couple. Love will certainly be in the air on stage.

Today’s post is written by Kristin Marks, a.k.a. cBus Mom . She writes a blog by the same name , which she created to offer suggestions and reviews of kid-friendly activities in Central Ohio. She also writes for Ohio Moms Blog and is a monthly contributor to Columbus Underground .

Here, she shares her experience at the Columbus Children’s Theatre , the award winning professional theater that has been entertaining families for over 40 years.

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Columbus Children’s Theatre: Engaging, fun and affordable
By Kristin Marks, cBus Mom

I recently went with a friend and three little girls to see Rapunzel at Columbus Children’s Theatre . We got the girls gussied up in their finest princess frocks and spent the afternoon enjoying the theater.

I have to admit, I was a bit nervous because the girls were not quite 4 years old (theater gives that as a suggested viewing age) and I worried that their attention spans would get lost in the middle, but that was not the case. Aside from a short game of musical laps, the girls did great at their first theatrical performance.

I think the elements the actors used to command audience participation helped keep the attention of little ones. The play was engaging and fun for the children because not only were the characters entertaining, but the children got to participate.

At the start of the show the audience was prompted to make certain noises or hand gestures when the witch came on stage. Each time the witch came out we all said in a scary voice "ooooohhh," and immediately there was giggling from kids - they loved being part of the production. Also, many times throughout the play there were chase scenes where an actor would run into the audience and sit in an empty seat. (more…)

Broadway Across America-Columbus brings another highly anticipated show to Columbus this week with The 39 Steps .

Adapted from the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock film of the same name, this play has already proven itself a hit with people of all ages. It just finished a two-year run on Broadway, and the original production is in its third year in London. Critics have taken notice as well, awarding the play two Tony Awards and the Olivier Award for best new comedy in 2007.

Credentials aside, this is a show unlike anything I had seen before. Four actors play over 150 characters, and in the process create a frenzied pace that never slows down. The play transports you to a world of make believe—one in which four chairs can be believed to be a car, men can pass for women and a windy day can be conveyed with the mere shaking of the actors own clothes.

The best part? You, the audience, are in on the joke. The actors do not pretend to be fooling anyone. Instead, they embrace the minimal props and get creative with what they’ve got. They even go as far as to purposely slip up on occasion—forgetting to switch into a new character or leaving a prop behind a little too long—just to remind you they know you’re there.

Based on the reaction of the opening night crowd—people were laughing, a lot—I would say this show is a winner. But don’t take my word for it, catch one of the seven remaining performances at the Palace Theatre and judge for yourself. Tickets range from $20-$55 and can be purchased here .

Tip from the CAPA Facebook page : If you act fast, you have the opportunity to purchase two tickets for only $39 to the Wednesday or Thursday show. To redeem this offer, call the CAPA ticket office at 614-469-0939 and use the password “TRAINS”

Photo: Available Light Theatre

To add to the previous posts about holiday experiences , I’ve got another I’d like to share:

Available Light Theatre’s
Consolidated Amalgamated’s Annual Xmas Spectacular

Here’s the show’s story, from their Web site :

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, this year Winford Doke has left 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.

The twist? Artie, the reluctant assistant suddenly appointed the task of spreading Christmas cheer, is Jewish.

This adaptation of Dickens’ A Chrismas Carol is brought to us by artistic director Matt Slaybaugh , playwright Sean Christopher Lewis (whose talent became immediately apparent to me when I saw Killadelphia ) and the show’s star, Artie Isaac.

Knowing what I know about Available Light Theatre and the three gentlemen I named above, here’s what I expect:

• It will make me think. I’ll consider something I hadn’t before…or, I’ll be reminded of something I should be considering again (you know, those important things that somehow become a bit forgotten during the course of daily, hectic life)
• It will make me laugh. These guys can be funny.
• I’ll be inspired by the smarts and creativity brought to life on stage (and okay…I’ll envy it, too).
• During at least one point of the show, I’ll wish it to last longer than it will.
• I will very likely love it. I’m getting used to that by now.

My husband and I have attended several Available Light productions. We discuss them often, because that’s what Available Light does - it sticks with you, and it prompts good conversation. This small-but-mighty group of talent wows us every time. Husband said this: "It’s unlike any other things I’ve seen. It enlightens you while you’re being entertained."

Yep.

The show starts tomorrow and runs through December 13 . Click here for more info, videos, a podcast and links. Click here to get your tickets.

Photo: CATCO

In Kelly’s last post about giving the gift of a Columbus experience, she mentioned a handful of local favorites.

One she didn’t mention, however, is one I had the opportunity to check out: The Santaland Diaries , presented by the Contemporary American Theatre Company (a.k.a. CATCO).

Last Friday, CAPA Columbus gave away tickets from their Twitter account . I was among a few participants who won, which made my day; I was excited to see this show.

The Santaland Diaries is a story by humorist David Sedaris about his time spent as a Macy’s elf in New York City, when he was also a struggling writer. Jon Putnam, returning for his fourth year as this character, gives a stunningly convincing performance as David Sedaris.

Filled with off-color humor and observations on how strange and deranged people can be during the holiday season, The Santaland Diaries is perfect for anyone looking for laughs. And if you consider yourself a bit of Grinch, chances are good you’ll enjoy it, too.

While I was at the performance I forgot it was theater, as the setting and encouraged participation from the audience made me feel as though a good friend was recounting a horrifyingly hilarious life experience.

The show runs through December 27. For details and tickets, click here .

Stay tuned for more on holiday experiences in Columbus. Up next, Irene will be here to share her recommendation.

Available Light Theatre has wowed me once again.

This time, they’ve done it with Killadelphia: mixtape of a city . I attended a preview of the production on Saturday, which will open to audiences this week.

I now find myself still thinking about the show, which I’ll undoubtedly do for some time. In the days ahead, I’ll contemplate the stories it tells and the realizations it stirs in its audience.

It’s just that kind of performance.

Killadelphia examines crime and murder in Philadelphia, and does so in a unique way - by bringing to the stage the voices of inmates who are serving life sentences in Graterford Prison. Their accounts and thoughts are interwoven with those of the city’s residents, political talk show hosts, prison employees and others.

Amazingly, all these characters are brought to life by a single individual on stage. A single individual with a great deal of talent. Sean Christopher Lewis, Killadelphia playwright and actor, shifts from role to role remarkably.

Lewis also plays himself in a role that guides the audience through his real-life experience of creating the play. As he reenacts his interviews with inmates and shares his own reflections, he forces you to take an unvarnished look at what is happening in America’s cities.

You might also find yourself confronting what you really believe, or don’t believe, about the human condition.

Sean Christopher Lewis, together with director Matt Slaybaugh, deftly tell gripping stories that also manage to explore complex societal issues. In true Available Light fashion, Killadelphia masterfully entertains and artfully educates.

What will you think? What will you feel? What will you learn?

Find out. The show opens Thursday and runs through Sunday. For a full list of showtimes and other details, click here .

The post below was written by Leigh Householder, a local blogger who writes at Advergirl.com , IndieColumbus.com and DowntownSnob.com .

Available Light Theatre - Leigh’s very favorite arts group in Columbus - is opening a new play this weekend. Leigh’s here to share the details and, of course, convince you to go.

I exist among the 75% of Available Light attendees Leigh mentions here. My first show hooked me, and I won’t be missing this one. How about you?

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So, GI Joe, the Tooth Fairy and Eleni Papaleonardos walk into a theater…
by Leigh Householder

I want to invite you to see some local theater.

I know what you’re thinking - sounds like school. You think you’ll squirm, not get the references and generally be busier doodling on the program than being entertained.

But this isn’t just any play. This play has G.I. Joe, an erratic tooth fairy and a barrel full of family drama. Better yet, it’s produced by Available Light Theatre - a wicked talented group of artists dedicated to building a more conscious and compassionate world through joyful and profound theater.

Yeah, joyful and profound. Those are the things that make their productions so addictive. You laugh (or cry) and have a great time watching the show, but then find yourself thinking about - and talking about it - for days afterward. IF it’s like school, it’s like that one class that totally inspired you to want to change the world.

Ok, about the play. Here’s the rundown:

In this story, a family is both torn apart and drawn together by the accidental death of a child. They are aided in their search for connection and solace by flights of fantasy involving a singing Tooth Fairy and a life-size G.I. Joe. In the space between what is said and what is unspeakable they find a heartrending collage of truth and cliché.

As the New York Times declared, “words gush forth in torrents, spewing up like geysers on a ghostly plain” in this “arrestingly odd … ode to love, loss and the routines of life.”

Even in the most emotional moments, Director Eleni Papaleonardos manages to bring hilarity, tension and even sensuality to the stage. It is something of wild ride.

So come. And bring friends. Over 75% of first-time attendees at Available Light’s two most recent shows reported that they “loved it” (much to the satisfaction of the AVLT veterans who had told them over and over again that they would). If you’re bringing a group of eight or more, call ahead and they’ll save a whole row for you.

Tickets are pay what you want. Really. There’s no expectation. The average people give is $10 - $20. But your fiver or your C-note will be equally well received.  (Tickets at this particular show are cash only)

Details:

Show times:
Thursday, June 11 @ 8pm
Friday, June 12 @ 12pm (with boxed lunch from Tip-Top)
Friday, June 12 @ 8pm
Saturday, June 13 @ 8pm
Sunday, June 14 @ 2pm
Friday, June 19 @ 8pm
Saturday, June 20 @ 8pm

Location:
Columbus Dance Theatre
592 East Main Street

Website:
http://avltheatre.com/index.php/godsear/index/

Experience Columbus staff was lucky to get a sneak preview of the much-anticipated restoration of the Lincoln Theatre . It’s located on Long Street in the King-Lincoln District, close to The King Arts Complex .

Lincoln Theatre rendering, courtesy of CAPA

CAPA has done an incredible job on the restoration of this intimate 600-seat 1928 Egyptian-style theatre. In its heyday, the Lincoln was the spot to see jazz legends such as Count Basie, James Brown, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington and Columbus’ own Nancy Wilson.

Our group was surprised and intrigued by the colorful, detailed Egyptian-looking paintings on the ceiling and all around the stage. This will be an awesome place to see almost any performance, as you’ll be so close to the stage, even in the balcony.

Pretty soon, the Lincoln Theatre will come alive with a packed schedule of diverse performances from groups like the Alfred Dove Dance Studio, Columbus Children’s Theatre , the Thiossane West African Dance Institute and OSU’s Theatre Department . It’ll also be home to an amazingly innovative Jazz Academy, operated by the Jazz Arts Group (JAG) .

A public grand opening is planned for the end of May with all kinds of activities and, likely, a big-name act. They promised the schedule will be announced soon, so watch the calendar .

Thanks, Todd Bemis of CAPA and Carol Agiro of JAG, for sharing your passion and ideas with us. Columbus residents and visitors are in for a real treat!

Spring Awakening has arrived .

Thanks to Broadway Across America-Columbus , I had the chance to catch the show at the Palace Theatre on Tuesday night.

In a word, wow.

The Broadway musical bills itself as "the groundbreaking fusion of morality, sexuality and rock and roll." It lives up to the hype (and its eight Tony Awards).

It’s a fascinating production that manages to tell a tale set in 1890s Germany through modern and emotional rock tunes composed by Duncan Sheik. The poignant story explores adolescent struggles with sexuality, abuse, death, oppression…not exactly pick-me-up topics, but there’s comic relief, too.

You will likely feel moved at least once. You might feel uncomfortable. Or enlightened. Or empathetic. Or sympathetic. Or any other range of things.

I was captivated. I loved it. So did my 19-year-old cousin, an Ohio State student who joined me for her first trip to the beautiful Palace . Older teens are some of the show’s greatest fans, and she was no exception.

On that note, due to mature content, Spring Awakening isn’t for everyone. Parents in particular should consider carefully if this is something to share with your children. A Parents’ Guide is provided here .

If you’re hoping to see Spring Awakening, move fast - tickets are still available , but the show ends Sunday.

I’m not the first to mention that it’s the season for gift giving . I set out to find a Christmas gift for my mom a few weeks back and decided to turn to Columbus’ arts and entertainment scene for unique ideas.

The task was easier than expected. I searched the Columbus Events Calendar and found plenty of gift options, ranging from tickets to a Duran Duran concert to a Radio City Rockettes performance. I landed on an obvious winner - tickets to the musical Grease . What could be more perfect? After all, "Grease is the word" for my mom’s generation.

Broadway Across America-Columbus is bringing this popular musical to the Palace Theatre , Dec. 16-21. Named Time Magazine’s 2007 pick for “#1 musical of the year,” this is a show worth seeing. Tickets range from $22.50-$64.50 and are available online or at the Experience Columbus Visitor Center .