The Miller Center for the Arts at Reading Area Community College, 4 N. Second St., Reading, is bringing another exciting season of live entertainment to downtown Reading, with a diverse lineup featuring music, comedy, dance, holiday favorites and family programming.
From the timeless music of Crosby, Stills & Nash and the Eagles to internationally acclaimed dance, Broadway favorites, holiday celebrations and unforgettable family experiences, the 2026–2027 season offers something for audiences of all ages. At the Miller Center, world-class entertainment is close to home, with affordable ticket prices and free parking for every performance.
“We’re excited to welcome our community back for a season that truly has something for everyone,” said Megan Schappell, general manager of the Miller Center for the Arts and director of special events at Reading Area Community College. “Our goal is to bring high-quality live entertainment to Reading while keeping it accessible and affordable. Whether you love classic rock, comedy, dance, Broadway or are looking for something the entire family can enjoy, there’s a show for you this season.”
The season opened with Wooden Ships Band on Sept. 18 and Sara Contreras: Freak of Nature on Sept. 19.
Upcoming events:
• Best of the Eagles, Friday, 7 p.m., tickets $39.
• Compagnie Herve Koubi: Sol Invictus, Oct. 8, 7 p.m., tickets $75 and $60.
• California Dreams, Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m., tickets $29.
• The Carole King & James Taylor Story, Oct. 10, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., tickets $29.
• Sing Along Broadway, Nov. 1, 3 p.m., tickets $45, VIP $75.
• Jim Brickman: Piano Sensation & A Little Bit of Christmas, Nov. 5, 7 p.m., tickets $47.
• Jill Haley Quietude: Music for Shenandoah National Park, Nov. 14, 3 p.m., tickets $15.
• Jesse Garron’s Tribute to Elvis, Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m., tickets $35.
• We Three Kings: The Irish Dance Christmas Sensation, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m., tickets $59 and $42.
• Mamma Mania! NYC’s Premier ABBA Tribute, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m., tickets $40.
• Rocky Mountain Christmas: Tribute to John Denver featuring Ted Vigil, Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m., tickets $35
• Puppy Pals Live: The Action-Packed Comedic Stunt Dog Show, Feb. 12, 2027, 7 p.m., tickets, adults $35, children $25.
• Dino-Light: A Glow-In-The-Dark Adventure, March 14, at 2 and 7 p.m., tickets $34.
Tickets and complete show information are available through the Miller Center for the Arts website, https://millercenter.racc.edu, or by calling the Box Office at 610-607-6270. Box Office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., as well as two hours prior to performances.
Education
Yocum Institute for Arts Education in West Lawn is bringing two theater-based mental health programs back to Berks County schools this fall, following a successful spring 2026 pilot that reached more than 3,400 students, faculty and staff through 23 performances.
Designed specifically for elementary and high school audiences, “I’m OK” and “At Some Point — We Have to Talk” use live, interactive theater to create opportunities for students to think about mental health, build awareness, reduce stigma and connect with trusted adults and community resources.
Both programs will be available to Berks County schools at no cost.
“We know that schools are being asked to support students who are navigating increasingly complex emotional and social challenges, and we believe the arts can be a powerful way to open the door to those conversations,” said Kristin Gehris, Yocum Institute’s school and community engagement director. “What was especially meaningful about our spring pilot was seeing how positively students, teachers and administrators responded to these programs.
“Theater gives us a way to approach difficult subjects in an engaging, age-appropriate way, and to connect students with resources and people who can help. We are excited to make these experiences available to more schools this fall.”
“I’m OK” is a 30-minute interactive theater assembly created for students in second and third grades. (Courtesy of the Yocum Institute for Arts Education)
“I’m OK” is a 30-minute interactive theater assembly created for students in second and third grades. The program addresses mental health and feelings-awareness through age-appropriate storytelling, reflection and problem-solving.
The production was developed with guidance from mental health professionals and a panel of elementary school principals, counselors, social workers and emotional support teachers representing urban, suburban and rural schools in Berks County.
Written by Joel Richard Gori, “I’m OK” explores topics including empathy, listening and respect; understanding complicated feelings; strategies for self-regulation; handling challenging situations in the classroom; positive behavior and decision-making.
During the spring 2026 pilot, Yocum brought “I’m OK” to 18 elementary schools, reaching more than 2,900 students, faculty and staff. Teachers and administrators provided extremely positive feedback about the program.
Each participating student receives a “feelings journal” to encourage continued reflection, along with a mental health resource packet for families, created in partnership with Inspired Wellness.
“I’m OK” performances are available at various morning and afternoon times through mid-December. The program is funded in part by The Yocum Family Charitable Trust.
“At Some Point – We Have to Talk” is a 30-minute performance created specifically for high school students and their supporting faculty and staff. (Courtesy of the Yocum Institute for Arts Education)
“At Some Point — We Have to Talk” is a 30-minute performance created specifically for high school students and their supporting faculty and staff. Written by Adam Void, the production was developed with grant support and in collaboration with VOiCEup Berks and youth involved in its Mental Health Ambassador initiative.
Through conversations with local teens, their real stories, community perspectives, and lived experiences helped shape the piece, bringing authenticity and relevance to a work that reflects the voices of today’s youth.
The play explores issues teens are facing, including relationships, missing persons, the impact of social media and self-harm.
Yocum produces “At Some Point” in partnership with the Reading Area Community College Theatre Arts Department, providing college students with valuable professional performance experience while also giving them an opportunity to engage directly with the issues explored in the production.
Following each performance, VOiCEup Berks’ Mental Health Ambassadors facilitate “We Have to Talk,” a post-performance discussion using situations from the play as a starting point for conversation, reflection and connection. Ambassadors also provide each audience member with a youth-developed wellness toolkit featuring practical coping tools, grounding strategies and mental health resources to support students beyond the performance.
Performances are available for high schools on Wednesday mornings through mid-December, 2026. The program is supported by Tower Behavioral Health and the Wyomissing Foundation.
Visual and performing arts
Reading Pride Celebration, in partnership with WCR Center for the Arts, will present its fourth annual art show through Nov. 15 at WCR Center for the Arts, 140 N. Fifth St., Reading.
The annual exhibition celebrates the creativity, talent, and diverse voices of LGBTQ+ artists and allies from Berks County and beyond. This year’s show will feature artwork across a variety of mediums. Some works will also be available for purchase, offering visitors an opportunity to directly support participating artists.
This year, Reading Pride is expanding its traditional gallery reception to include a live performance showcase, bringing visual and performing arts together as part of a special evening celebrating creativity and community. The gallery reception and performance showcase will take place on Oct. 10 at WCR Center for the Arts.
The reception is free and will include light refreshments and a cash cocktail bar benefiting Reading Pride’s year-round programs.
“Art has always given our community a powerful way to express who we are, share our experiences, and connect with one another,” said Sean Flannery, president of Reading Pride Celebration. “As we celebrate Reading Pride’s 20th anniversary, we’re excited to expand this year’s art show by bringing visual and performing artists together.
“Whether someone is exhibiting for the first time, returning as an artist, taking the stage, or simply coming to experience the work, we want this to be a space where creativity and community come together.”
Reading Pride is still accepting submissions from artists and performers interested in participating in this year’s exhibition and performance showcase. Artists and performers of all experience levels are encouraged to submit their work for consideration and may participate in the gallery exhibition, the live performance showcase, or both.
There is no announced hard deadline for submissions. Interested artists and performers are encouraged to submit their work as soon as possible.
The addition of live performance to this year’s art show is part of Reading Pride’s ongoing 20th anniversary celebration, expanding an established annual tradition in a new way during the organization’s milestone year.
In its fourth year, the art show provides an opportunity to elevate LGBTQ+ creativity, create connections between artists and the community, and provide a space for artistic expression.
Full event information, including artist and performer submissions, is available on the 2026 Reading Pride Annual Art Show event page, https://tinyurl.com/yc5tj5z2.
Films
“Il Mio Posto a Tavola” (“My Place at the Table”), a documentary film from Reading-based executive producer Santo D. Marabella and director/producer Tracy Schott, is coming to PBS this fall. Beginning on Nov. 1, the 330+ public television broadcasting stations in the United States will have the opportunity to air the film through a distribution agreement with National Educational Telecommunications Association.
Marabella Enterprises, the presenting producer, says they have granted NETA a limited release license to distribute the film to PBS stations for the next 12 months. The agreement includes broadcasting rights, but not streaming.
“We believe that a limited PBS release gives the film the opportunity to gain exposure throughout the country while still remaining marketable to commercial distributors since the agreement does not prohibit commercial distribution,” said Marabella, who is also the film subject.
The documentary tells the story of Marabella’s adoption from Italy during the Baby Scoop Era when unwed mothers were forced or coerced into giving up their babies at or after birth.
Schott, filmmaker and an artistic collaborate with Marabella for more than 18 years, believes the film will be a good fit with PBS.
“I’m excited for this opportunity to share this important film on a broader scale,” Schott said. “PBS audiences are generally a well-informed, curious group of individuals who will likely be intrigued and inspired by the film.”
In celebration of the PBS distribution, Marabella Enterprises is offering a weekend screening of the film on Nov. 13, 14 and 15 at the Boscov Film Theater at the GoggleWorks, 201 Washington St., Reading. Co-sponsored by the Boscov Film Theater and Bonnie Sussman-Versace of FOCUSED LLC, each screening will also include talkbacks with Marabella and Schott.
For more information and tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/44ehwc76. To learn more about the film, visit https://IlMioPostoFilm.com.
Dance
“All Aboard the Joy Train!” invites families, performing arts fans, train enthusiasts, and history buffs to explore the tracks that bring us together on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. in Hamburg.
A 90-minute, collaborative, creative placemaking performance spearheaded by JCWK Dance Lab and the Reading Company Technical and Historical Society at the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum 500 S. Third St., Hamburg, the experience blends technological and cultural history, storytelling, contemporary dance, and original music.
“Blending the technology of railroading with the arts contributes to our region’s understanding of the ways the Reading Railroad shaped communities,” said Carol Adams, outreach chair of the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum. “The employees of the Reading enjoyed many railroad-sponsored musical activities. Now, the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum is happy to welcome everyone to enjoy the arts and technology in this performance of ‘Joy Train.’”
The experience includes admission to the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum, performance, audience/ artist/ RRHM staff talk-back, and tour of RRHM grounds and railyard.
Megan Zalek of the JCWK Dance Lab will be part of “All Aboard the Joy Train.” (Don Carrick)
“Everyone has a train story,” JCWK Dance Lab Director Jessica Warchal-King said. “I’m excited to use dance and music to bring people together in a way that uniquely reflects Berks County’s past and future.”
For more information, visit www.jcwkdancelab.org/joytrain.
Theater
Reading Civic Theatre, 4350 Perkiomen Ave., Exeter Township, will present “Carrie the Musical,” directed by Pete Bourey, on Oct. 16-18 and Oct. 23-25.
Based on Stephen King’s iconic novel, “Carrie the Musical” tells the haunting story of Carrie White, a shy and isolated teenager struggling to find her place in a world that seems determined to reject her. Tormented by relentless bullying at school and controlled by her fanatically religious mother, Carrie lives under a constant weight of fear, shame, and isolation.
But Carrie is changing. As she discovers that she possesses extraordinary powers, the pressure surrounding her builds toward a terrifying and unforgettable breaking point.
Samantha Grinage as Carrie White in “Carrie the Musical.” (Jessica Reber)
Kelly Kantner as Margaret White in “Carrie the Musical.” (Jessica Reber)
Leading the cast is Samantha Grinnage as Carrie Whiteand and Kelly Kantner as Margaret White. They are joined by an ensemble of 23 actors, including Andrea Keck, Angel Alvarado, Dara Tatarowicz, Ella Bednarik, and Titus Newswanger.
Featuring music by Michael Gore, lyrics by Dean Pitchford, and a book by Lawrence D. Cohen, “Carrie the Musical” blends powerful music, intense drama, suspense, and supernatural elements into a gripping theatrical experience.
For tickets and more information, visit readingcivic.org. Recommended for mature audiences.