Tuesday, December 15, 2009

'Tis the season...to rock

By Katie Libecco

COLUMBIANA - Rockin' Around the Town Square returns to Main Street Theater this year and musical director Chris Bayda says it'll be bigger and better than last year.

Bayda says the show got its start while performing Trans-Siberian Orchestra Arrangements during Christmas Time with First Christian Church's Praise Team in Columbiana. Bayda says a "Praise Team" is "basically a church band." As the bandleader, Bayda got to know Main Street Theater owner Don Arthurs.

On a whim, Arthurs and Bayda put together the show for a one-night performance benefiting the Way Station. He says they sold-out and decided to do Rockin' Around the Town Square again this year with more performances scheduled.

The 11 musical arrangements in Rockin' Around the Town Square are by Bayda. He says the music is similar to TSO but has more of a straight-forward rock feel and no operatic vocals.

"It's Christmas music but more rocked up," Bayda says.

The productions singers are father-and-daughter Greg and Natalie Sprouse, winners of the Voices of Main Street talent competition last year. Bayda says he was "blown away" by 15-year-old Natalie hafter hearing her sing.

Bayda is a guitarist for the Christmas production. He says this year, Rockin' Around the Town Square returns most of last year's band members, including: Arthurs, bass; Arthurs' wife, Dawn Arthurs, keyboards, Arthurs' brother Dave Arthurs; rhythm guitar; Nick Rupert, lead and rhythm guitars; Martha Rogowsky, keyboards.

New this year is Relic's Roger Lewis on drums. Bayda says he and Lewis knew each other since high school and recorded with him on other projects. So, when last year's drummer joined the Air Force, Bayda says Lewis was the perfect choice.

26-year-old Bayda says he's been playing guitar since he was 12 but hasn't been involved much in the local music scene.

"I've been involved more on the recording, producing side," he says.

Like TSO, Rockin' Around the Town Square has an elaborate Laser and light show.

Rockin' Around the Town Square will be performed Dec. 18, 19 and 20 at 8 p.m. at Main Street Theater, 5 N. Main St. Tickets are $5, though guests are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item.

Before each performance, an area high school choir will perform Christmas carols. On Friday, it's Crestview High School, on Saturday it'll be Columbiana High School and Sunday Heartland Christian School is scheduled to perform.