Genesius Theatre in Reading presents “The Behavior of Light,” a new play about art and Pennsylvania written and directed by Douglas Carter Beane.
A Tony-nominated writer, Beane returns to his childhood playhouse as artistic director of Genesius Theatre, where he first discovered his lifelong passion for theatre in the 1970s.
Packed with ultra-local cultural references and imbued with a cozy nostalgia, Beane describes “The Behavior of Light” as a “battle cry for art” that reminds audiences that “learning to take the frustrations of life and turn them into a creative expression is one of the joys of life.”
More simply, he says, “It reminds us of the power of kindness.”
Genesius Theatre presents “The Behavior of Light,” written and directed by Genesius Theatre artistic director Douglas Carter Beane. (Photo courtesy of Douglas Carter Beane)
Set in West Reading in 1972, the story follows the staff and adult students of a night school’s art class. The students are mostly mill workers trying to avoid imminent layoffs by earning their GEDs. Their effervescent but inexperienced teacher, Caroline, is determined to convince them of the value of art, despite the skeptical beliefs of their cynical and overly analytical principal, Robert.
But it’s an apparent background character who brings the most color to the canvas. Teddy, a shy young janitor with schizoid personality disorder, is inspired by the classes he observes from the shadows. Soon, two parallel stories unfold — grey reality and technicolor fantasy — as Teddy uses art to make sense of the world around him.
A cast of seven local performers whom Beane describes as, “tremendous and inspiring,” play a cornucopia of characters, including the mother and aunt of Teddy, fellow janitorial staff, art patrons, and an art dealer, as well as the fantastical royal protagonists, evil villains, and delightfully silly sidekicks of Teddy’s art — including a frog prepared for dissection, a reanimated skeleton, and a dragon with the voice of Joan Rivers.
“We are trying to tell this as freely and simply as possible,” Beane said. “There is no New York City production of this play yet. There is nothing for us to emulate. We only have our heart, our experiences, and our instincts to guide us.”
Beane was inspired by his fascination with what he called “outsider artists,” artists who create outside of the mainstream. Like many real-life outsider artists, Teddy has no desire for attention or accolades, just a love of creation for creation’s sake.
“I hope the community sees that art can happen anywhere, even here, and to look around for it, and to find it in themselves, too,” Beane said. “I want them to stop and look with kindness at the people they usually pass by.”
Joining Beane to bring this celebration of art, community, and theatre to life is fellow Pennsylvania-native, Tony-nominated, and Broadway-professional Allen Moyer in set design. Moyer, who recently joined the board of directors at Genesius Theatre, teams up with longtime Genesius set builder, Brent Beckner, to transform the intimate 10th and Walnut stage into the perfect canvas.
The creative team also includes James Haggerty as assistant director, Bill Eschbach as stage manager and Ellen Dash Walter as dramaturg.
The full cast includes James Haggerty as Teddy, Sarah Althen-Haggerty as Caroline, Jonathan Erkert as Robert Norton, Becka-Anne Malanios as Helen, Daphnee McMaster as Rowena, Alvin Green-Lewis as T., and Abby Hannis as Gina.
Performances take place Friday to Sunday, Dec. 12, 13 and 14, and Thursday to Saturday, Dec. 18, 19 and 20; plus Friday and Saturday, Dec. 26 and 27. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. with the exception of Sunday, Dec. 14, which performs at 3 p.m.
Genesius Theatre is located at 135 N 10th St., Reading. Free parking is available in a lot adjacent to the building. An overflow lot is also available — simply ask the parking attendant for a pass upon your arrival.
For tickets and additional information, visit www.genesiusdifference.org.