Curtains are going up on holiday shows in Berks County, so if you’re in need of holiday cheer, here’s what’s coming up in December:
* Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” a radio play reimagined and directed by Pat Perfect, will be presented by Reading Community Players and Penn State Berks. A turn-of-the-century classic is presented in a modern day performance. Show dates are Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. at the Perkins Auditorium on Penn State Berks campus, 1800 Broadcasting Road, Reading. Tickets will be sold at the door. For large groups, call 610-375-9106.
* “I Hate Christmas” is Fleetwood Community Theater’s Junior Christmas Show, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. at Fleetwood Middle School Auditorium at 407 N. Richmond St. in Fleetwood. Santa will be making his appearance one hour before each show and pictures will be taken with Santa and emailed to you for free. To reserve tickets, call 484-637-7067. For more information on FCT please visit fleetwoodcommunitytheatre.com
* Harry Connick Jr.’s “The Happy Elf” is coming to the Santander Performing Arts Center Dec. 10 and 11 This marks Reading Civic Theatre’s return to the Santander Performing Arts Center after a six year hiatus. The show, written by the Grammy Award-winning and Tony Award-nominated composer and lyricist, Harry Connick, Jr. This is not a junior production, but a fill-fledged musical with a cast of all ages. For tickets go to Ticketmaster.com or to avoid service fees go to the Santander Center box office on Penn Street in Reading.
* The supercalifragilisticexpialidocious musical “Mary Poppins” is coming to Genesius Theatre just in time for the holidays – Dec. 9 – 18. Adapted from the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney Film this musical, “Mary Poppins, ” features favorite Poppins tunes including “A Spoonful of Sugar,” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.” Genesius Theatre, is located at 153 North 10th St., Reading. For Tickets visit – www.genesiusdifference.org; 610-373-9500 card fees apply. Tickets may also be available at the door.
* Fecho Productions “A Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas Carol” aboard the old-fashioned Rhoads Christmas Trolley, opens on Friday Nov. 25 and runs through Dec. 23. This amazing traveling show is interactive family entertainment, with a PA Dutch twist, that unfolds around stops in West Reading and Ridgewood Winery. For tickets and information, visit FechoProductions.com or GenesiusDifference.org. Children ages 4 and younger can ride for free if they sit on a parents lap.
