Genesius Theatre in Reading has announced its 55th season, brimming with eight fairies, a vampire, a hobgoblin, two boatloads of pirates, a mess of mermaids and a runaway heiress.
Artistic Director Douglas Carter Beane has dubbed 2026’s lineup, “a season of adventure,” which is fitting as Genesius embarks on a new journey under his leadership.
Douglas Carter Beane (Courtesy of Douglas Carter Beane)
Beane’s vision for the year is exhilarating, eccentric, innovative and accessible to audiences and performers of all ages and backgrounds. This season’s shows blend classic stories, world premieres, family-friendly productions and theatrical reinvention, all infused with humor, heart and imagination.
“This season is about leaning into wonder,” Beane said. “It’s about children and adults performing and sitting side by side, laughing at the same joke for different reasons. It’s about old stories made brash and new again, and new stories discovered together.”
From Shakespeare in a dance club to swashbuckling young sprites, from a legendary vampire to a runaway heiress straight out of a black-and-white movie musical, Season 55 invites audiences to expect the unexpected.
Genesius Theatre’s 2026 season lineup:
• “The Behavior of Light,” Feb. 19, 20, 21, 22. Written and directed by Beane: Back by popular demand, this encore engagement of Beane’s acclaimed original play returns after an enthusiastic response in December. “The Behavior of Light” is both sentimental and self-aware, abstract and accessible, and above all, fast, funny and deeply felt. If you missed it the first time, now’s your chance to experience what everyone’s been talking about.
• “Pirates of Penzance, Kids Edition,” March 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15. Music, lyrics and libretto by Gilbert & Sullivan, adapted for kids by Beane, directed by Dara Tatarowicz. Enter the topsy-turvy world of Gilbert and Sullivan, lovingly edited for young performers. Packed with patter, pirates and playful wit, this version boasts one bold band of pirates and a whole lot of fun for audiences of all ages.
• “Peter Pan,” April 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19. Written by J.M. Barrie, co-directed by Beane and James Haggerty: Presented in the original 1905 American version, “Peter Pan” overflows with imagination: flying children, a fairy, a mess of mermaids and boatloads of pirates. With a cast made up of blended ages and a story that resonates differently but just as deeply across generations, this production is fun for kids and wise for adults.
• “Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella: Kids Edition,” world premiere kids edition. Adapted by Beane, directed by Becka Malanios: If you caught Gensius’ sold-out run of “Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella” in 2022, you saw a Beane original script. Now, the Tony-nominated Beane, who got his own start as a child at Genesius, returns to adapt the show once more for the next generation of performers. Magical, quirky and filled with heart, “Cinderella” continues Genesius’ commitment to introducing young audiences to great musical storytelling.
• “Aesop’s Fables,” Aug. 21, 22, world premiere musical. Directed by Becka Malanios: A world premiere musical that will be created by Genesius Kids in the rehearsal room. Young performers will be encouraged to discover their own artistic interpretations of classic stories, like “The Tortoise and the Hare,” “The Ant and the Grasshopper,” “The Fox and the Sour Grapes” and “The Country Mouse and the City Mouse.” Immense fun, timeless wisdom and lessons for today, told by the next generation of theater-makers.
• “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Sept. 25, 26, 27 and Oct. 1, 2, 3, 4. Written by William Shakespeare, directed by Beane: Shakespeare’s most rollicking comedy gets a Genesius twist — it’s set in a dance club. Expect troublemakers, crisscrossed lovers, a magic potion and more fairies — six to be exact — plus one adorable hobgoblin. Wild, physical, and laugh-out-loud funny.
• “Dracula,” Oct. 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31. Adapted by Hamilton Dean and John L. Balderston from the novel by Bram Stoker, directed by James Haggerty: The original stage adaptation that made Bela Lugosi a star and Frank Langella a sensation returns to chill audiences this Halloween. Gothic, romantic, and thrilling — perfect for spooky season.
• “Society Hill,” Dec. 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26. Book by Beane, music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin, directed by Beane, musical arrangements and performance by Michael O’Flaherty: A cracking new musical comedy like a black-and-white Katharine Hepburn movie come to life. A Philadelphia debutante, engaged to the season’s catch, gets a DUI and falls for the man she meets while doing community service. Featuring Gershwin classics including “The Man I Love,” “But Not for Me,” “Sweet and Lowdown” and “Lady Be Good,” newly arranged by Genesius co-founder O’Flaherty.
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The vibrant spirit of Broadway and the power of community will take center stage on Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. when Berks Broadway Cares hosts an evening of entertainment and generosity at Adler Brewing Co., 2210 Hampden Blvd., Muhlenberg Township. The snow date is Feb.y 13.
Presented by Marabella Enterprises in partnership with the Reading-Berks theater community, Berks Broadway Cares is a fundraiser benefiting Reading Pride Celebration and the LGBT Center of Greater Reading, two organizations dedicated to uplifting, supporting and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community across Berks County.
The event will feature performances by talented local theater artists, showcasing the creativity and passion of the region’s performing arts community. Proceeds from ticket sales will directly support inclusive programming, community services and advocacy efforts that make Berks County a safer and more welcoming place for LGBTQ+ individuals and families.
Berks Broadway Cares is a powerful example of what happens when the arts and community come together for a shared purpose. This event not only celebrates Broadway and local talent, but also raises critical funds for organizations that serve and affirm our LGBTQ+ neighbors.
Tickets are $20 and include a drink, light appetizers and the show. For tickets, got to https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/berks-broadway-cares-3.
Music
As part of a continuing education series of The Highlands at Wyomissing and Reading Symphony Orchestra League, a lecture will be held on Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at The Highlands, 2000 Cambridge Ave., Wyomissing.
The guest speaker will be David Richie, Berks Opera President, with the topic being Valentine’s with Romeo and Juliet.
The free lecture will highlight the themes that should be listened for at the concert and provide information about some of the events surrounding the composition of the music and life of the composer.
Art
The annual Senior High School Juried Art Exhibit is on display at the Yocum Institute of Arts Education, 3000 Penn Ave., West Lawn, through next Sunday in the Holleran Gallery. The gallery is free and open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The public reception will be today from 2-4 p.m. with the awards ceremony at 2:45.
Each year, the Yocum Institute welcomes aspiring young artists from Berks County to submittheir work for this juried exhibit. The exhibit provides students with an opportunity to presenttheir original works of art to the public in a professional gallery setting, as well as compete forcash prizes and tuition to Yocum Institute arts classes.
The competition was open to all full-time senior high school students that reside in or attendschool in Berks County. The original work presented will feature oil, watercolor, mixed media,acrylic paint, sculpture, and 3D art.
The awardees:
Coggins Award-winning artwork by Ella Damiani of Wilson. (Courtesy of Yocum Institute for Arts Education)
• Coggins Award: Ella Damiani, Wilson School District
First-place artwork by Regan McCLure of Berks Catholic. (Courtesy of Yocum Institute for Arts Education)
• 1st place: Regan McClure, Berks Catholic
Second-place artwork by Luz Estevez Pena of Wilson. (Courtesy of Yocum Institute for Arts Education)
• 2nd place: Luz Estevez Pena, Wilson School District
Third-place artwork by Elle Jenkins of Exeter. (Courtesy of Yocum Institute for Arts Education)
• 3rd place: Elle Jenkins, Exeter School District
• Berks Art Alliance Award: Joshua Griffith, Homeschool
• Deb and Fred Gurman Award: Abigail Santana, Conrad Weiser School District
Honorable mentions: Sky Thrawer, Exeter; Haylie Zimarowski, Gov. Mifflin; Rhea Patel, Wyomissing; Zachary O’Keefe, Wilson; Tatum Grimm, Exeter; Eileen Swoyer, Gov. Mifflin; Damian Santos, Exeter
The exhibit was managed by Nadia Pochan, art and exhibits director at the Yocum Institute, and juried by Geoffrey Fleming, executive director and CEO of the Reading Public Museum.