CEC’s A.C.T. PRESENTS “THE SANTA-THON”
Costs are skyrocketing for the big guy up north. Oil is $100 a barrel, Chinese toys are being recalled and Kevlar jackets are now required for all elves and animals making deliveries to urban centers. What is a bearded, round bellied, man to do?...Hold a Santa-thon!!! December 14-16th, American Concert Theatre presents the most original and hilarious holiday show since Dickens. Santa’s on the mike in this part scripted, part improvisational, mock telethon featuring music, jokes, and the most unique holiday stories ever. Conceived by Anthony Byron Carter, lary moten and Ed Shockley. Starring Ayoka Dorsey and John D’Alonzo with music by Sasa and surprise guests.
“We’ve been doing Holiday Tales for many years,” says director lary moten, “but we were determined to take it to a whole new level this time and we have done just that.”
American Concert Theatre has presented elaborately staged script in hand readings for nearly a decade and counts among its successes national award winning radio plays by Bill Hollenbach and Tony Buck as well as stage works that have gone on to rave N.Y. reviews like Annette Sanders’ GOOBE DUST and RAZOR MEN by Felicia Rivers.
“We are proud of our play development,” says Artistic director Ed Shockley, “but Holiday Tales has become an important annual tradition and this new format allows it to comment on contemporary events as well as showcase the talents of many local artists in hilarious guest stints. No two performances will be the same.”
In keeping with the Community Education Center’s commitment to celebrate the experience of neighborhood through the prism of art, ticket prices remain affordable at only $8 ($6 for seniors and students). “The goal is to bring people together in our Meeting House Theatre celebrating their differences and sharing a belly laugh with the chubby guy in the red suit.”
The team of Carter, and moten have collaborated on segments of several past Holiday Tales including the memorable, “MERRY XMAS” featuring Roderick Slocum as a single father grappling with the consumerism of the season. Similarly, Ayoka Dorsey and John D’Alonzo have participated in past performances and demonstrated a special affinity for concert theatre.
Expect to sing, laugh and tell some of your own stories as part of a frolicking evening of irreverent family friendly humor. Performances are Dec. 14th and 15th at 8pm and Dec.16th, 3pm at the Community Education Center/CEC, Meeting House Theatre, 3500 Lancaster Avenue, 215-387-1911, www.cecarts.org.
Release Date: Thursday, November 29th 2007
