The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO ART!) is proud to host Mike Randall in Batavia on Sunday, Dec. 20 for “Charles Dickens Presents: A Christmas Carol.”
The program will take place at 2 p.m. at St. James’ Episcopal Church, 405 E. Main St. (Route 5) in Batavia.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. They can be purchased at GO ART!, Roxy’s Music Center, The Enchanted Florist, Genesee County Senior Center or at the door. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.GOart.org under “Events.” All seating is general admission.
Randall’s production of “Charles Dickens Presents: A Christmas Carol” has been a big success since its premiere in 2007. A lover of Buffalo history and presenter of one-person shows, when Mike Randall discovered that Charles Dickens himself performed in Buffalo in 1868, he decided to recreate Dickens’ most well-known story -- “A Christmas Carol.”
Although more readily renowned as an author, Charles Dickens was also a highly popular performer. According to author Matt Shinn “Dickens developed a new, composite art form in his stage performances, acting out specially adapted passages from his own works and varying his expressions and speech patterns, so that it seemed as if he were becoming possessed by the characters he created.”
What Randall finds most intriguing about Dickens and his Readings is the way the author threw himself into the performances, by not just reading the words, but becoming the characters on stage.
Randall has performed a variety of roles in theaters around the country. He continues to perform his critically acclaimed, one-man portrayal of “Mark Twain Live!” He also spent time as the Marvelous Magical Burger King where he perfected his abilities as a magician and live family entertainer. Randall is also a member of the Puppeteers of America.
Meanwhile, Meteorologist Mike Randall covers the weather duties for WKBW-TV in Buffalo each weeknight. He's also an award-winning feature reporter, having interviewed celebrities like Willie Nelson, Jerry Lewis, John Candy, Steve Allen, Red Skelton, Gregory Peck and Robert Goulet. Mike has been with the station since 1983.
For additional information, contact the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council at 585-343-9313, email info@goart.org or visit www.GOart.org or www.CharlesDickensLive.com.
Mike Randall can be reached at (716) 840-7751, mrandall@charlesdickenslive.com
