The Update | Dark Comedy at Hopewell Theatre; ‘Christmas Carol’ Reading

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Hopewell Theatre will present the dark revenge comedy “Exit Pursued by a Bear.”

Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8-9 and 15-16; and 2 p.m. Dec. 17. The theater is at 702 Mahoning Ave.

Rosalyn Blystone is directing the play, which was written by Lauren Gunderson.

The story revolves around a woman’s grand plan to teach her abusive husband a lesson. With the support of her best friend and a stripper named Sweetheart, she gathers the courage to pull off her plan.

The cast includes Celena Pollock Coven, Nick Mulichak, Bobby Brown Jr. and Sydney Campbell.

General admission tickets are $15 ($12 for senior citizens and students). For reservations, go to hopewelltheatre.org or call 330 746 5455.

The play is recommended for adults age 18 and older.

‘A Christmas Carol’ Reading at Kent Trumbull

WARREN, Ohio – As the holiday season fast approaches, Kent Trumbull Theatre will host a reading of Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol” on Friday, Dec. 8, in the Student Union, located in the Classroom/Administration Building.

Peter Byrne, an associate professor of English, will read the story of rich miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who hates Christmas and all it entails.

The reading begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, $6 for children under 13 and free for Kent State students, faculty and staff. To reserve seats, call 330 675 8887, email [email protected], or go to ksuttxmascarol.bpt.me.

Christmas Celebration Worship Service

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. – The public is invited to Westminster College’s annual Christmas Celebration worship service at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, in Orr Auditorium on the college campus.

The message “A Silent Night” will be shared by college chaplain Rev. James Mohr and will feature Scripture readings by students.

Music will be provided by the Westminster Symphony Orchestra, Concert Choir, the Lake Brittain Brass Quintet and student organist Hunter Peterson.

The event is free, although a goodwill offering will be taken.

The program will be livestreamed at www.wcnlive.com. The Westminster Cable Network will rebroadcast the service on multiple occasions over the holiday. For air dates and times, click HERE.

Friendly Squares Christmas Dance

NILES, Ohio – The Friendly Squares’ annual Christmas Dance will take place Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Niles Scope Center, 14 E. State St. 

Square dancing will begin at 7:30 p.m. and continue until 10 p.m. 

Gene Hammond and Neil Harner will be the callers, and Frankie Hammond will cue the line dances. This will be a high/low dance with alternating tips for new dancers currently taking lessons and tips for more experienced dancers. 

Dress is casual. There is a $7 donation per person at the door. For information, call Hammond at 330 506 3370.

Pictured at top: Celena Pollock Coven and Nick Mulichak in a scene from “Exit Pursued by a Bear.”

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.