Visitors to West Reading in Berks County can enjoy a day of art and music while strolling along the pedestrian-friendly Penn Avenue. West Reading Community Revitalization Foundation (WRCRF) will host the 32nd annual Art on the Avenue, Berks County’s premiere art and music festival, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday. The event will span the 400 to 700 blocks of Penn Avenue.
The event showcases the work of local and regional artists, crafters, vendors, West Reading businesses, musicians, and other talents, with 17 musical acts playing on three stages, starting at noon. The entire festival is pedestrian friendly, with more than 200 vendors.
During Art on the Avenue, Art Plus Gallery will host Plein Air West Reading, a week-long creative event in its 10th year, where more than 30 artists from across the country capture the beauty and character of West Reading and Berks County in their own unique style. During the Saturday festival, award winners will be showcased and sold under large tents near Sixth and Penn avenues.
Prior to the opening at 11 a.m., Safe Berks will hold its “Walk for No More” campaign against domestic abuse, which will begin near Eighth Avenue and continue east on Penn Avenue to the 400 block.
The music schedule for the American Diner Stage at Fourth Avenue is Patric Donato from 12:15 to 1 p.m.; Phoenix 96 from 1:20 to 2:05 p.m.; Fuzztide Jones from 2:25 to 3:10 p.m.; The National Bird from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m.; Ratcliffe Wave from 4:35 to 5:20 p.m.; and Hot Dad Calendar from 5:40 to 6:30 p.m.
The music schedule for the main stage at Sixth Avenue is Milou Sky from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m.; Lost Dad from 1:40 to 2:30 p.m.; Cloud Party from 2:45 to 3:35 p.m.; Muddy Ruckus from 3:55 to 4:40 p.m.; …And You, Brutus? from 4:55 to 5:40 p.m.; and Wood Flower from 6 to 7 p.m.
The music schedule for the acoustic tent stage at Seventh Avenue is Colin Underwood & Paul Lerario from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.; Knit from 1:50 to 2:50 p.m.; PBS from 3 to 4 p.m.; Colby KL & Dayv Lord from 4:15 to 5 p.m.; and ReStrung from 5:20 to 6:10 p.m.
‘Hair’ at Civic
Civic Theatre will present “Hair: The Tribal Love-Rock Musical” its 19th Street Theatre, which is located at 527 N. 19th St. in Allentown.
Set in the turbulent 1960s, “Hair” follows a tribe of young people searching for truth and belonging amid war, protest, and cultural upheaval. At the center is Claude, played by Liam Thompson, torn between free-spirited rebellion and military duty, as he and his friends navigate a rapidly changing world.
More than a musical, “Hair” is a bold, electric celebration of connection, individuality, and resistance. Its themes of protest, identity, and unity remain as relevant today as when it first took the stage by storm.
The high-energy rock musical defined a generation, with iconic songs like “Aquarius,” “Let the Sunshine In,” and “Good Morning Starshine,” celebrating love, freedom, identity, and self.
“Hair” is directed by William Sanders, Civic’s artistic director. Music direction is by Steve Reiseter, and choreography is by Rose Fortkamp and Sarai Misic.
The cast features Anthony Rizzuto, Andy Van Antwerp, Dylan Miller, Rachel Kemmerer, Makenna Copeland, Melody Portnoy, August Fegley, Sarai Misic, Arlo Guzman, Nat Miller-McBride, Ericka Coencsits, Nneoma Akpunonu, Nico Rodriguez, Rose Fortkamp, Chloe Jarjous, Zoe Mulzet, David Lippincott, Julia Brown, Angie Dries, Maia Spears, Robert Morgan, Jayden McFaddin, Keane Carrington, and Alyssa Weber.
The book and lyrics were written by Gerome Ragni and James Rado with music by Galt MacDermot. The show opened on Broadway in 1968 and its three-million-selling original Broadway cast-recording spawned several top-10 hits.
Audiences are advised “Hair” contains mature content, including brief nudity, and is not recommended for audiences under 16. Patrons under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or adult.
Tickets cost $35 for adults and $30 for students, seniors, and military.
Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and on June 26 and July 2 and 3; at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on June 27; at 3 p.m. June 28, and July 5; and at 2 p.m. on July 4.
Janeites unite
Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival will present “The Complete Works of Jane Austen, Abridged” at Schubert Theatre, which is located at the Labuda Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of DeSales University in Upper Saucon Township, Lehigh County.
One the four co-writers of the spoof of Jane Austen’s novels is Jessica Bedford, a professor of theater at DeSales, who will be directing.
The comedy that tackles Austen’s books, including “Pride and Prejudice,” “Sense and Sensibility,” and “Emma,” was written by Bedford, Kathryn MacMillan, Charlotte Northeast, and Meghan Winch. Bedford said MacMillan, who came up with the idea, was inspired by “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged,” a comedy that presents most of Shakespeare’s plays in 90 minutes.
The women met when they all worked together on Lauren Gunderson’s “The Revolutionists” in 2018 at Philadelphia’s Theatre Horizon. The women discovered they were all “Janeites,” fans of the works of Austen. MacMillan suggested they work together on writing “The Complete Works of Jane Austen, Abridged” and premiere at Tiny Dynamics, a theater company at which she was artistic director. The show opened in 2019.
“We wanted to create a piece that revered Austen and showed others why they should revere her work, too,” Bedford said.
In the show, three actors tackle Austen’s heroines, heroes, cads, and clowns with quick costume changes, sharp humor, and a dash of modern mischief in a charming, high-energy romp celebrating one of literature’s most legendary voices.
The cast includes Madeleine Garcia, Sarah Gliko, and David Pica, Understudies are Ian Higgins, Joanna Marie, and Sophia Twohig.
“I want to say how special it is to bring the play to PSF.” Bedford said. “Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival is artistically home for me. I trained here, worked as an actor and as a director here, and now I’m a produced playwright here. I know the walls of Labuda so very well. I hope that when you step into the Schubert you feel that you are entering Jane Austen’s world but that she is also entering ours; that our love letter to her and all of her fans brings her back to life, if just for an evening.”
Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. June 24, 25, and 26, and July 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10; at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on June 27 and July 1 and 11; at 2 p.m. on June 28 and July 4, 5, and 12; and at 6:30 p.m. June 30 and July 7.
The audience can meet the actors for an informal talk after the shows July 2 and 9.
An audio described performance for the blind or visually-impaired will be presented at 2 p.m. on July 11.
“Epilogues,” a free discussion and a behind-the-scenes look at the show, will be presented at 10 a.m. on July 11. It will allow audience members to gain deeper insight and ask questions.
Classic musical at NCC
Julia Urich
Northampton Community College will continue its The Bill Mutimer Summer Theatre Program with “Gypsy,” at Lipkin Theater on the campus of Northampton Community College, which is located at 3835 Green Pond Rd. in Bethlehem Township, Northampton County.
“Gypsy,” regarded by many theater professionals as the greatest musical ever created, is the story of Rose, played by Julia Urich, an ambitious mother fighting for her daughters’ success while secretly yearning for her own. The show takes place across America in the 1920s, when vaudeville was dying and burlesque was born, Arthur Laurents’ groundbreaking show explores the world of two-bit show business with brass, humor, heart, and sophistication.
The role of Rose was originally written for Ethel Merman, and the 1959 Broadway production was nominated for eight Tony Awards, including for best musical and best actress for Merman.
The story is inspired by the 1957 memoir of Gypsy Rose Lee, the famous striptease artist, and on whom the character of Louise, played by Eileen Lee, is loosely based.
The score by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim boasts one hit after another, including “Let Me Entertain You,” “Some People,” “You’ll Never Get Away from Me,” “If Momma Was Married,” “All I Need Is the Girl,” “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “You Gotta Get A Gimmick,” “Small World,” and “Together Wherever We Go.”
The cast features Jason Roth, Jenna Seasholtz, Lainey Bullen, Sarah Panettiere, McKenna Lobb, Evelyn Kehler , Asher Bristol , Lucy Schneck, Kaleb Bell, Harrison Fox, Daxton Chapell , Adrian Colon-Burgos, Spencer Williams, Dami Shote, Christine Breiner, Riley Lusk, Ava Boyd, Juliana Braga, Auqinay Jones, Denise Long, Giovanni Failla, Kevin Gaughenbaugh, Brett Oliveira, Jordan Joseph, Madisyn Bonilla, Melody Chen, Audrey, Azelia Dos Santos, Willa Maurette, Abigail Murphy, Charlie Dalyrmple, Declan Messics, Jacob Piccini, Maricel Wheatley, and Mia Quesada.
Jessica Lopez-Barkl directs.
Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. June 24, 25, 26, and 27, and July 1, 2, and 3; at 2 p.m. June 28 and July 5; and at 5 p.m. on July 4.
Tickets cost $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $15 for students.
The performance on July 4 will feature a food-truck celebration. Tickets that day are “pay-what-you-are-able.”
Habitat benefit concert
Habitat for Humanity of Berks County will hold its third benefit concert, “Britain’s Finest: The Beatles Experience,” at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Reading Area Community College’s Miller Center for the Arts, which is located at 4 N. Second St. in Reading’s Entertainment Square.
Britain’s Finest is a high-energy, internationally touring Beatles tribute band that brings the look, sound, and cheeky spirit of the Fab Four to life with authentic, note-for-note live performances and era-perfect costumes. This dynamic cast delivers the timeless hits and youthful charm that defined Beatlemania, transporting audiences straight back to the heart of the 1960s rock-and-roll revolution.
Free parking is available in RACC’s student lots on a first-come, first-served basis. Student Lot A, located at 30 S. Front St., is the closest flat lot to the venue.
Additional parking, which is paid, is available in the parking garage adjacent to the campus, at 25 N. Second St.
Tickets cost $39.
The event will benefit Habitat’s programs, which provide affordable housing and homeownership opportunities for families.
Young musicians perform
Allentown Symphony Orchestra will hold its Young Musician String Festival Concert at 6 p.m. on June 25 at Miller Symphony Hall, which is located 23 N. Sixth St. in Allentown.
The festival is comprised of students from the greater Lehigh Valley. The music for the concert is all arrangements of pieces that the orchestra is playing during its season. Music is distributed to the student musicians in advance so they can practice on their own. They also meet to rehearse as an ensemble with Tyler Readinger, ASO’s associate conductor, and coaches before performing on stage.
The program includes Brahms’ Symphony No. 1; Mozart’s Symphony No. 40; Holst’s “Jupiter,” an Abba medley; Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You;” and Adele’s “Skyfall.”
The concert is free, but tickets are required.