For the first time since 2019, summer musical theater will return to the stage at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, when it presents “Seussical” at Baker Theatre, which is located at 2400 Chew St.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the series into hiatus. The 2020 season would have been the 40th for the series, which began in 1981.
Muhlenberg theater professor James Peck will direct “Seussical,” the Dr. Seuss-inspired musical by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty.
Peck, who directed many shows for the summer series and was slated to direct “Legally Blonde” for the 2020 season, said he is excited to be back.
“I’m thrilled that Muhlenberg is bringing back summer musical theater productions for the Lehigh Valley community, especially for our many longstanding summer patrons,” said Peck. “These shows provide vital opportunities for our students and enrich the cultural life of the region beyond measure.”
“Seussical” brings to life many favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Mayzie, and Jojo, a little boy with a big imagination. The colorful characters transport audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos.
“At its heartbeat, it’s really a play about people who are outsiders to the society that they are a part of, but those societies desperately need their voices,” Pech said. “It’s about the guts that it takes and the beauty that it yields when people stand up for what they think is right. And really, what they think is right is treating others with kindness and decency.”
Choreographer Noel Price-Bracey said kids will love “Seussical,” but the show also explores themes that will resonate with audiences of all ages.
“The story is for a family audience, but there’s so much more to it,” said Price-Bracey, a professor on Muhlenberg’s dance faculty. “This story is about standing up for those whose voices aren’t loud enough to be heard. I think it’s beautiful, the idea that every time you dive back into a kids’ story, you realize the commentary that’s being made and what it means to be approaching it in this way.”
Peck emphasized the vivid design and production values in store for the show.
“This show will look gorgeous,” Peck said. “You-Shin Chen’s scenic design and Rebecca Lustig’s costume design are full of fun surprises, Seussian curves and colors, and Haley Brown has eye-popping ideas for the lights. It’s an urgent, beautiful, necessary, and worthwhile show, about the importance of loyalty and community. I’m honored and thrilled to help revive this 40-year tradition as its director.”
Performances will be at 7 p.m. Friday and June 19 and 26; at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and June 20 and 27; at 2 p.m. Sunday and June 21; and at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. June 18 and 25.
Tickets for the first weekend cost $27 for adults and $17 for ages 18 and under. Tickets for the second and third weekends cost $32 for adults and $20 for ages 18 and under. Tickets for the matinees June 18 and 25 cost $22 for adults and $15 for ages 18 and under.
During the run of the show, Muhlenberg will host Seussicamp, a performing arts camp for students in sixth to eighth grades. The two-week program will feature daily instruction in acting, voice, and dance, and there will be a final showcase open to the community.
Roman farce
Reading Civic Theatre will present “A Funny Thing Happened on The Way to The Forum” at its performance space in the Reading Mall at 4350 Perkiomen Ave. in Exeter Township, Berks County.
The 1962 Tony Award-winning musical, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondhem and book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart, was inspired by the farces of the ancient Roman playwright Plautu (254–184 BC), specifically Curculio, Pseudolus, Miles Gloriosus, and Mostellaria. The musical tells the bawdy story of a slave named Pseudolus, played by Matt Hottenstein, and his attempts to win his freedom by helping his young master Hero, played by James Fransico, woo the girl next door.
The plot displays many classic elements of farce, including puns, the slamming of doors, cases of mistaken identity (frequently involving characters disguising themselves as one another), and satirical comments on social class. The title derives from a line often used by vaudeville comedians to begin a story: “A funny thing happened on the way to the theater.”
The cast features Jeff Yoder, Tara Feathers, Joe Bernardi, Mark Christy, Matt Allen, Barry Ciabattoni, Jennifer Skinner, Alyiah Daniels, Charolette Baumguard, Maxi Estrada, Elizabeth Fry, Malana Wilson, Josh Jarmoski, Cody Hoppes, Tim Allen, and Delia.
Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and June 19 and 20 and at 2 p.m. Sunday and June 21.
Tickets cost $25 to $35.
Family show
Northampton Community College’s The Bill Mutimer Summer Theatre Series will present “Junie B’s Essential Survival Guide to School” at the Lab Theater, which is located at 3835 Green Pond Rd. in Bethlehem Township, Northampton County.
Based on the bestselling books about a wisecracking first-grader, the saga of Junie B. Jones continues in this funny and heartwarming follow-up to “Junie B. Jones, The Musical.”
“Junie B. Jones” is a children’s book series written by Barbara Park and illustrated by Denise Brunkus that came out from 1992 to 2013. It centers on “almost six-year-old” Junie B. and her adventures in kindergarten and later in first grade.
Audrey Wood
A self-appointed expert on all things first grade, Junie B., played by Audrey Wood, is determined to write the ultimate guide – Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School. As she deals with writer’s block and constantly getting into trouble, Junie B. quickly realizes that she still has a lot to learn.
The show features upbeat songs from Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich (“Dear Edwina”), “Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School” is a hilarious, whole-hearted show about owning up to your mistakes and how nobody is ever done learning.
The cast features Auqinay Jones, Declan Messics, Giovanni Failla, Jacob Piccini, Madisyn Bonilla, and Maricel Wheatley.
Performances will be at 10 a.m. June 17, 18, 20, 24, 25, 27, and July 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 11, 15, 16, 18, 22, 23, and 25, and at 1 p.m. June 19 and 26 and July 3, 10, 17, 24, and 25.
Sensory-friendly performances will be presented June 27 and July 11 and 26.
Tickets cost $12 for adults and $7 for students. All tickets cost $4 on July 4.
Reimagined Shakespeare
Reading Theater Project will present a staged reading of “Romeo and Juliet, Class of ’97” at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Boscov Theater in GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, which is located at 201 Washington St. in Reading’s Entertainment Square.
Kimberley Patterson
Playwright Kimberly Patterson updates the classic tragedy of star-crossed lovers in a reimagination of William Shakespeare’s tale that has Juliet wanting to fall in love while fighting for her independence. She treads through deepening waters over romance and relationships, among and between families, but can she live with the consequential decisions she is making?
Set in what was a slightly more innocent age; before 9/11 and Columbine, and in an era of youth having less reliance on cellphones and social media, Patterson, gives this classic tale a more relevant and resonant treatment.
Inspired by the playwright’s rejection of the young couple’s ill fate, Patterson sought to synthesize the Bard’s traditional manuscript, the 1597 bad quarto, and Arthur Brooke’s 1562 “Romeus and Juliet,” to create a protagonist with more dimension and agency to “convincingly be the catalyst of the action from the Capulets’ party onward. Maybe finally Juliet could have a new ending, one that would empower young women instead of steeping them in tragedy.”
Patterson’s work includes the plays “Welcome to Leisureville” and “Faithless, and Arachnothology” as well as the musicals “Oedipus for Kids!” and “Douchenozzle,” a comedy about linguistic misogyny.
“Romeo and Juliet, Class of ’97” is directed by Andrea Kennedy Hart. A talkback will follow the performance, with audience members invited to share their feedback.
Tickets are pay-what-you-will, with a suggested price of $10.
FIFA Fan Zone in Reading
Soccer fans across the East Coast are counting down the days until the FIFA World Cup kicks off in North America.
Reading is one of three Pennsylvania cities FIFA chose to serve as an official Philadelphia World Cup 2026 Fan Zone. The others are Pittsburgh and Scranton.
The Fan Zones, which were announced by Gov. Josh Shapiro in Reading on March 26, will combine FIFA World Cup match viewing with live music, food, entertainment, soccer activations, and more.
Reading’s Fan Zone, presented by Philadelphia Soccer 2026 and Visit PA, will be set up at the Santander Arena at 700 Penn St. in center city from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. July 3-4 and July 18-19.
Fans of all ages will be invited to cheer, chant, and catch every moment of action on the 40-foot screen. Outside the arena, a block party on Penn Street will feature live entertainment, interactive games, kid-friendly activities, vendors, and a variety of food and beverage options.
The musical guests will be Go Go Gadjet on July 3, Main Squeeze on July 4, and Ax & Hatchetman and Pedro Sampaio on July 19.
On July 3 and July 18, 3v3 Anywhere will deploy up to four of its signature, fast-paced inflatable fields on Penn Street for a youth tournament series. The tournaments will kick off at 9 a.m.
All Fan Zone events are free to the public. Advance registration is required to manage capacity. Free tickets can be obtained through a link on the Experience Reading & Berks County website.
World Cup viewing party in Bethlehem
One of the Lehigh Valley’s most electric summer traditions — SoccerFest — will take place from June 11 through July 19 at SteelStacks in Bethlehem. It’s a free, month-long celebration of the world’s biggest sporting event — the FIFA World Cup.
Building on more than a decade of soccer watch parties, ArtsQuest will present what it said is a bigger and bolder experience in 2026. Fans can catch every match on giant screens creating an immersive atmosphere for all ages.
Beyond the games, SoccerFest will feature live music, cultural programming, and global cuisine, along with youth clinics, 3v3 tournaments, and inclusive programming for young athletes.
Lehigh Valley United coaches will lead on-site clinics. An adaptive soccer clinic on June 20 and a Fútbol Clínica en Español on June 27 will share structured, skills-focused programming with players of all abilities and backgrounds. Visitors also won’t want to miss the 3v3 tournaments taking place throughout the event.
Visitors can also explore Bethlehem’s rich soccer history through a special exhibit highlighting the legendary Bethlehem Steel Soccer Club and listen to talks by historian Dan Morrison on June 20.
Highlights will include U.S. vs. Paraguay on June 12, U.S. vs. Australia on June 19, and U.S. vs Türkiye on June 25.
World Cup party in Allentown
Allentown has installed a soccer mini pitch at Jordan Park. The public is invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 6 p.m. on Friday. The park is located at 1001 N. Sixth St. Extension.
Following the ceremony, the celebration will continue with a community watch party featuring the U.S. vs. Paraguay match, which will begin at 9 p.m.
The match will be shown on a 17-foot-by-10-foot LED screen, creating an exciting viewing experience for soccer fans of all ages. The evening will also feature food trucks, La Mega “Monster” Hummer playing music, USA 250-themed giveaways, and a variety of family-friendly activities and entertainment.
World Cup watch party in Wyomissing
The Wyomissing Area Soccer Club and the Wyomissing Recreation Department have teamed up to host a free World Cup watch party on Friday, as Team U.S.A. takes on Paraguay. Gates to the Wyomissing Quarry Soccer Complex, which is located at 2001 Old Wyomissing Rd., will open at 7 p.m. The match is set to begin at 9 p.m.
The match will be shown on a giant inflatable screen, with music, games, concessions, and plenty of pre-match energy leading up to the first whistle.
“The World Cup only comes around every four years, and there is nothing quite like the excitement it creates. For our young players, this is a chance to see the game celebrated on a huge stage, surrounded by their teammates, families, coaches, and community,” said ” said Cristian Avalos, the Wyomissing Area Soccer Club’s president. “It is a great way for kids who are learning the sport to experience the passion, energy, and joy that soccer brings to people all over the world.”
Fans are encouraged to wear their red, white, and blue and take chairs and blankets.
2nd Friday concert
Visit West Reading will hold its 2nd Friday concert series on Sixth Street in West Reading.
Guests can enjoy live music by Milen, an indie rock band, from 6 to 8 p.m. Also, McGinty Motorcars will feature a display of vintage cars.
Many shops will offer sidewalk sales and late-night shopping, with many staying open until 8 p.m.
There will be live sidewalk chart art all day, beginning at 9 a.m., to open the Avenue with a summer fun theme.
Anyone interested in helping chalk the sidewalks can email info@visitwestreading.org.