PLAYBILL
ABOUT ONE MO CHRISTMAS One Mo Christmas 2017 is produced by CEE’K Productions (Cee’s Kids), and in addition to being a tribute to Ujima Theater Founder Ron Pitts, is an attempt to provide family0friendly holiday entertainment. With a multi-generational cast, this edition of One Mo Christmas includes talent from ages 8 to 80. The production attempts to bring the classic of A Christmas Carol to life with a Motown twist. With soulful music and talented acting, One Mo Christmas has something for everyone. Cee’K Productions is named after the Family’s late matriarch, Cesheloia (Cee) Whiteside, and includes her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Cee’K Productions provides a variety of services, such as support for the performing arts (writing, production and stage management), DJ services, dance, and studio recording. ♥
L E A DE RS H I P RON PITTS, CEO of Ujima Theater, Writer & Director Ron Pitts was founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ujima Theatre. His acting career began somewhat unexpectedly when he stepped in to read for a part in August Wilson’s Fences, directed by Wilson. Originally from Pittsburgh, Ron made his Columbus acting debut as Martin in Pittsburgh’s Kuntu Repertoire Theater’s 1989 production of The Meeting.
Ron Pitts
After bringing Ujima to Columbus, Ron directed numerous plays that continue to linger in the hearts and minds of the people in the community. ♥
M E E T T H E DI RE C T O R A longtime writer/producer Nadine L. Lewis holds a B.A. in Applied Communication. She has written and produced several original plays such as We Shall Behold Him and From Plantations to Prisons (based on the book by the same title). Nadine has also produced and directed several adaptations including Roots and Wiz Gospel. Nadine also served as the stage director for the Ujima Theatre’s productions of One Mo Christmas 2010, and Gem of the Ocean, and was on the production staff of The Ohio State University theater’s production of The Tree. In addition, she is creator and co-producer of Maarifa, a Black history quiz show broadcast on WOSU TV34 and Someone You Should Know, a series of multicultural vignettes. Nadine is the recipient of best producer/director awards from the National Black Program Consortium and the Hometown Video Festival, Frankfort Kentucky, and is listed in Who’s Who Columbus.
Nadine L. Lewis with husband Thomas L. Lewis
A life-time member of Hosack Street Baptist Church, she is the past Executive director of the Community Development Program and currently serves as director of the Drama Ministry. She is also a proud member of Cee’K Productions. Nadine thanks God for another amazing opportunity to serve her community as director of this tribute to Ron Pitts, a giant in Columbus theater. She lists her top priorities as God and family. She is happily married to her best friend of more than 50 years, Thomas Lewis and is the proud mom of three incredible daughters and simply “Mam” to her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
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ONE “MO” CHRISTMAS
THE PLAYERS AMERICAN TUMBLING ACADEMY (Joi Brown, Alana Colvin, Mackenzie Lewis, Tamryn Lindsay, Bailey Smith)
Ebenezer Scrooge Mary Bob Cratchit Little Drummer Boy Steppers Old Man Marley Community Representatives Ghost of Christmas Past Ensemble Ghost of Christmas Present Ghost of Christmas Future Ghost Ensemble Mrs. Cratchit TiTi Cratchit Michael Cratchit James Cratchit Martha Cratchit Blind Boy Rev. Byrd People Get Ready Song Pallbearers (TiTi) Pallbearers (Scrooge) Grandma Grandpa Pre Show Entertainment
Intermission Entertainment
OMC BAND Under the direction of Priscilla Woodson & Roger Parrish
Roger Parishh (Keyboards) Donald Steele (Lead Guitar) Jesse Robinson (Drums) Frederick Dulaney Bass Guitar
KEITH CARTER CHAUNDRA DAVIS SAVON BANKS A.R.T.S. INFINITY TAESHEONNIA WARD, TANIJIA THOMAS, IYANA SANDERS SAVON BANKS BEN JONES, TOYA L. NOLAN, TAMARA POLLARD BENNIE “BIG BENN” COLQUITT TOYA L. NOLAN, KAHLILA MITCHELL, HAYDEN WILKS-MITCHELL Tamara Pollard LINDA BENSON TAMARA POLLARD, TOYA NOLAN, NORAE BOND TIFFANY BANKS KY’SHIA GREEN BRYSHOD ANDERSON DARNELL YOUNG KEIARAH STIDOMS JOSIAH DAVIS BEN JONES MESSAGE CAMBY GOFF, COCY GOFF GEORGE SILER, JR., RONALD L. HOWELL SHAUN INGRAM, GEORGE HAIRSTON, IV MRS. RHEA WRIGHT MR. LUDDIE HATTEN, SR. COLUMBUS CHURCH LADIES Linda Benson, Priscilla Francis, Ann Ellison, Mattie Thomas, Diane Bolden, Barbara Hairston, Mary Howell, Betty Lewis, Mary Jane Byrd, Toya L. Nolan KENNEDY L. LEWIS
SOLOISTS Priscilla Woodson Bennie “Big Benn” Colquitt Chaundra Davis La’Toya Jones Keith Carter Yon Truss
OMC PIT SINGERS Priscilla Woodson, Hollie Mitchell, Dr. Marilyn Brown Robinson , Stacy Coulter, William Coulter, Sr., La’Toya Jones, Chaundra Davis, Bennie “Big Benn” Colquitt ONE “MO” CHRISTMAS
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to CEE’K Productions Staff & Volunteers:
Barbara Hairston Priscilla Francis Cassandra Byrd Linda Benson Traci Lewis Ronald Howell Georg Hairston IV Shaun Ingram Jerrie Hatten Camby Goff Larry Whiteside Cocy Goff Priscilla Woodson Taevon Fitzgerald Darnell Young
Marion Franklin High School Mrs. Christina L. Nawrocki and Mr. Gregory Costello Marion Franklin Opportunity Center Mrs. Julie Kudika Hosack Street Baptist Church Marion Franklin Recreation Center Bryshod Anderson George Hairston III
VIDEOGRAPHER Cherraun Goff PLAYBILL LAYOUT & DESIGN Derek Payne DPI Graphic Design LIGHTING Kennedy L. Lewis