By Felix Hoover

For YourNewsColumbus.com

Columbus--Even if Charles Dickens had been exposed to Motown, it’s hard to believe that he ever would have envisioned the lively musical adaption of his Christmas Carol that’s being performed Downtown by the Ujima Theatre.

The work One “Mo” Christmas directed by Ron Pitts opened Thursday Dec. 4 in the performance center at BalletMet, 322 Mount Vernon Ave.

Strong voices all around, with a solid Motown beat under Musical Director Victor Ross, kept the familiar story moving.

The production included hidden treats throughout, such as the tribute to the recently departed Isaac Hayes with the Ghost of Christmas Past played to the theme from Shaft. Right on.

A gag involving a common kitchen utensil took a while to develop, but with good effect.

A reference to the closing of recreation facilities was timely, considering that earlier in the day Mayor Michael B. Coleman released the list of rec centers proposed for closing because of the Recession.

Such measures are of special concern for Ujima because it is using One Mo Christmas to promote Godman Guild, a longtime settlement house that provides recreation and a wide variety of family services in the central city, all of which are affected by the struggling economy.

“They have been a working force in the community,” Pitts said.

Some of the performers are staff members at Godman, including Ujima Technical Director Brian K. Jones and Tamara Hamilton.

“I didn’t know that girl could sing like that,” said Ellen Williams, guild director of youth and family services.

Shortly before the show began, Williams spoke briefly to the audience about the guild’s programs and its relationship to Ujima. She also made a plea for private businesses to provide at least 100 summer jobs fo teens next year, in part to offset losses of government-subsidized work for young people.

Williams said that the guild is encouraging young people to become active with the theater group.

“Hopefully they’ll be interested in learning about behind-the-scenes and the business side as well as performing,” she said.

Folks have a pretty good idea how Scrooge, played by Homer Odell Anderson, will respond to T.T., played by Karia C. Jones., a third-grader at Fifth Avenue Elementary School.

And the whole family can enter the holiday season inspired by Scrooge’s ultimate message, “If you give love at all, give it today.”

One “Mo” Christmas will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4-7 and 11-14 at BalletMet, 322 Mount Vernon Ave. There will be 2 p.m. shows on Saturdays Dec. 6 and 13 and 4 p.m. performances on Sunday Dec. 7 and 14.

Tickets are available at Black Art Plus, BalletMet, Godman Guild and Ticketmaster outlets.

For details call 614-622-4432 or visit www.ujimatheatre.com.