There’s a lot coming up this month in area theaters. From family shows to thrillers to Broadway hits – there’s something for just about everyone. Here’s a look at what’s happening:
Family fun
Reading Civic Theatre presents the area premiere of “Camp Rock the Musical,” a family show, based on the hit Disney Channel movies will run Sept. 16-18 at the Miller Center for the Arts at RACC. It is the story of two summer music camps that battle it out for a rockin’ summer that no one will forget. This is a heartwarming story of friendship, competition and the value of teamwork. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 and 17 and 3 p.m. Sept. 18. Tickets can be purchased through the Miller Center website located on the right hand side of RCT’s website www.readingcivic.org
Suspense
Birdsboro’s Ist Street Players explore the dark side with Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘”The Birds” Sept 16 and 17 . “The Birds” by Conner McPherson is based on a story by Daphne DuMaurier and made famous in the Hitchcock film of the same name. It follows three characters, Diane, Nat and Julia as they attempt to survive in a new world where bird attacks have plunged society into chaos. The play revolves around the relationships between these three characters as they deal with issues of who can you trust. The part of Diane is played by Debbie Silas, The part of Nat is played by Jerry Wendel. The part of Julia is played by Mary Britton. Bill Eschbach portrays Tierney, a stranger with his own agenda. The show runs Sept. 16 & 17 at 8 pm at Birdsboro Community Theater located at 301 E 1st Street, Birdsboro Pa 19508. All seats are $15 and seating will be general admission. Call 610-404-8436 or email us at tickets@1ststreetplayers.org. Due to language and some intense scenes and dark themes parental guidance is suggested
‘In the Heights’ goes outdoors
For those who missed Genesius’ acclaimed production of “In the Heights,” there’s a chance to see it for free Sunday Sept. 18. The production has been dubbed worthy of Broadway by many who have seen it.
Genesius is doing one performance of this hit musical in downtown Reading on Sunday, Sept. 18 at 2 p.m. in the Courtyard, behind the building at 6th and Penn streets- between Penn and Court Streets and 6th Street and the Railroad tracks.
Bring a lawn chair and sit back, relax and enjoy this wonderful musical outdoors. Genesius Theatre presents the light, sweet and hot, hot, hot Tony Award-winning musical “In the Heights” is being presented in cooperation with D.I.D. the Downtown Improvement District, and the City of Reading. This is all made possible by a special grant from the Berks Arts Fund of Berks County Community Foundation.
Music and lyrics are by Lin-Manuel Miranda who is also the writer, composer and star of this season’s mega-hit “Hamilton” which just pulled in 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
“In The Heights” ran for 1,184 performances on Broadway. The show was honored as a 2009 Pulitzer Prize finalist for Drama and won the 2008 Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Original Score. It also won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.
In case of inclement weather – Thanks to a special arrangement with the Doubletree by Hilton, Genesius will make the decision to move the show indoors into one of the ballrooms at the hotel at 7th and Penn. That decision will be made at 9 a.m. on the day of the performance and the public can find out if the show is moved by going to the Genesius Facebook Page or the genesiusdifference.org website. The DoubleTree will provide chairs so there is no need to bring a lawn chair for the indoor performance.
For more information, go to www.genesiusdifference.org; or call the theatre at 610-371-8151, The play is rated PG.
Catch ‘Starcatcher’
Steel River Playhouse brings “Peter and The Starcatcher,” winner of five 2012 Tony Awards, to Pottstown Sept. 30 – Oct. 16. Based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, this play by Rick Elice, with music by Wayne Barker. In “Peter and The Starcatcher,” an apprentice Starcatcher and an orphan boy take to the high seas in this whimsical origin story of “The Boy Who Never Grew Up.” Along the way they meet many of the beloved characters immortalized by “Peter Pan” author J. M. Barrie. This is a wildly theatrical, madcap journey with a dozen actors portraying more than 100 unforgettable roles in a swashbuckling story that will delight adults and children alike. For more information, call 610-970-1199 or go to www.steelriver.org. Steel River Playhouse is located at 245 E. High St., Pottstown, 19464.
AUDITIONS
Think comedic acting is your forte? Reading Community Players is holding auditions for “DEATH DEFYING ACTS: 3 One-Act Comedies,” by Woody Allen, David Mamet and Elaine May. The show will be directed by Bruce McLean. Auditions will be held at Christ Church, 5th & Court streets in Reading at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept 25 and Monday, Sept 26. Seeking men and women ages 20 – 50. There will be cold readings from the script. Character summaries may be found on the Website: www.readingcommplayers.com or call 610-375-9106 for more information.
