Live theater options abound
April is shaping up to be a great month for theater lovers. Here’s a sampling of what’s happening in the next 10 days on area stages:
ON STAGE NOW
POTTSTOWN: Steel River Playhouse is presenting “A Year with Frog and Toad,” a Theater for Young Audiences Production, directed by Aileen McCulloch. Remaining performances are all matinees, 2 p.m. on Sunday April 2, Saturday April 8, and Sunday Apr 9. This Tony Award-nominated musical, is based on Arnold Lobel’s Caldecott and Newbery award-winning stories. The characters come to life in wonderful ways—complete with foot-tapping music. Frog, Toad and friends plant a garden, swim in a pond and skip rope with a large and terrible frog. Tickets can be ordered online at www.steelriver.org. Steel River Playhouse is located at 245 East High Street, in Pottstown.
READING: Genesius Theatre PRESENTS “Noises Off’ through April 7 at the 10th and Walnut STREETS theater. “Noises Off” is the ultimate play within a play. “Noises Off” is a rollicking backstage farce about a second-rate theatrical troupe that combines slapstick, a British sex comedy, and non-stop hilarity from a manic menagerie of itinerant actors rehearsing a flop called “Nothing On.” Doors slamming, misguided love, miscues, on and off-stage intrigue, and lots of plates of sardines all figure in the plot of this uproarious and classically-comic play. Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, Wednesday and Thursday performances and at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Prices range - $25 for adults and $17.50 for students (must have student ID). For tickets, please visit www.genesiusdifference.org; 610-3739500 – credit card fees apply. Tickets are also available at the door. The play is rated PG 13 for sexual innuendo and adult situations. Genesius Theatre, located at 153 North 10th St., in Reading, is handicapped accessible and there is free parking (limited spaces available) next to the theater. For more information, call the theater at 610-3718151.
CHESTER SPRINGS:
Performing Arts presents Broadway’s modern classic, “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” through April 9. This international sensation that has played to more than 35 million people worldwide in 13 countries. Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature, the stage version includes all of the wonderful songs written by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman, along with new songs by Mr. Menken and Tim Rice. The original Broadway production ran for more than 13 years and was nominated for nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity. Tickets can be found at saltpa.com. SALT is located at 1645 Art School Road, Chester Springs, PA 19425. Call 610-703-1734 for more information. Children ages 2 and under who can sit on a lap are free.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
COMEDY NIGHT: April 8 at the Reading Comedy Outlet, sponsored by Fleetwood Community Theatre. The show features Shane Gillis. Also performing are Zach Petrovich and Lance Thomas. Tickets just $15 in advance - call 484-637-7067. $18 at the door. Gillis is a stand up comic out of Philadelphia. He was named 2016 Philly’s Phunniest at Helium Comedy Club coming in 1st out of 260 comics. In 2014 he was named Baltimore’s New Comedian of the Year at Magooby’s Joke House. Zach Petrovich is a comedian originally from Allentown. While going to school for Acting in Pittsburgh, he was seen at the Beer Hive, Papa Davinci’s and most notably The Arcade Comedy Theatre. He was featured in Netflix’s new original series, “Mindhunter.” Also scheduled to appear is Lance Thomas. Lance made his stage debut with FCT during 2011’s summer musical AIDA and then landed as Oscar Maddox in Oscar & Felix. For years he was the Mailman at East Penn Manufacturing, and everyone knew he loved to tell his jokes. He found inspiration from Rodney Dangerfield, Jimmy Carson, George Carlin to name a few.
JAZZFEST AFTER HOURS CABARET:
Building on its reputation for creating new and exciting theater that is relevant to the Berks County community, the Reading Theater Project will present its Second Annual JazzFest After Hours Cabaret, Saturday April 8 at the Olympian Ballroom, 603 Penn Ave, West Reading PA, 19611. The fundraising evening will celebrate Reading, Berks, JazzFest and the community with a free admission cabaret and party boasting a wide array of the company’s talent with newcomers joining RTP’s collective of artists. Performing throughout the evening are local jazz stars; Chris Heslop, Reggie Brown, and the Reading Djangoholics, with vocalists Maria Damore, Tamara Black, and Sue Lange. Additionally the evening will feature variety acts including; Master Showman Jim Stilianos, pole dancing champion Rachel Skye, dancing duet Stephen Jackson and Lily Ogelsby, and Eastern Pennsylvania’s talented drag entertainer, Amie Vanité Kincade! Vicki Haller Graff will perform and MC. RTP’s Cabaret will be performed on Saturday, April 8 from 7 – 11 p.m. with live performances beginning at 7:15 p.m. Admission is free. Throughout the cabaret auctions & raffles will be announced by Santo Marabella. Prizes include 2018 Berks JazzFest VIP passes, art, dinner & shows, jewelry, yoga, and much more. There will be a cash bar (must be 21 with an ID to drink) and complimentary snacks for audience members. For more information and upcoming Reading Theater Project productions please visit readingtheaterproject.com or call 484-706-9719.
UPCOMING AUDITIONS
Reading Community Players: will be holding open auditions for Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” on Wednesday April 5 and Thursday April 6 at 6 p.m. at the Reading Civic rehearsal hall at 126 N. 10th St., Reading. Seeking students ages 8-18. No prior preparation necessary. Music, vocals and dance will be taught each evening. Dress comfortably for movement. Rehearsals will be held on Wednesdays from 6-8:30 p.m. and Sundays 1-3 p.m. Show dates are June 23 and June 24 at the Miller Center. Call 610-375-9106 for more information or email rcptheatre@gmail.com.