<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/6939cc637d73a.image.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
This year, Hanukkah will be celebrated between Dec. 14 and 22, and Civic Theatre of Allentown<\/a> will present a family friendly holiday show filled with puppets that celebrates the Jewish Festival of Lights.<\/p>\n The theater will bring to life \u201cHershel and the Hanukkah Goblins<\/a>\u201d with actors and puppetry in Civic\u2019s intimate black box Theatre514, which is located at 514 N. 19th St. in Allentown.\u00a0<\/p>\n The play is based on Caldecott Honor children’s picture book written by Eric Kimmel and illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman in 1989. In 1999, Minneapolis theater Z Puppets Rosenschnoz adapted the book for the stage.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe thought it would be a nice compliment to \u201cA Christmas Carol,\u2019\u201d said William Sanders, Civic\u2019s artistic director. \u201cThere’s not a lot of plays that celebrate the joy of Hanukkah. There’s a lot of stuff for adults around the [Lehigh] valley during the holidays, so we thought it would be nice to change it up a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n The show features the Jewish folk hero and trickster figure Hershel of Ostropol challenging and defeating through guile a series of goblins over the course of the eight nights of Hanukkah, culminating in a showdown with the King of the Goblins himself on the final night.\u00a0<\/p>\n When Hershel arrives in a village where goblins have cast a spell to extinguish Hanukkah, it will take all his bravery and a good dose of clever trickery to banish them and bring back the light. Each night, a new goblin appears, stranger and more menacing than the last. But Hershel refuses to give up, determined to outsmart the mischievous creatures and save the holiday for everyone.<\/p>\n The production is directed by Nick Conti and Kelcie Kosberg, who also is creating the puppets of the goblins. Kosberg\u2019s puppetry was last seen on stage in Civic\u2019s fall production of \u201cShrek The Musical.\u201d<\/p>\n The cast features Armand Reiser as Hershel,\u00a0Jamie Bleasdale as Simon, Shaun Hayes as Risby, Nico Rodriguez as Little Goblin, Joy Studium as Pickel Goblin, Steph George as Shammes, and Omar Sanchez as a townsperson.<\/p>\n Tickets cost $10 to $35.<\/p>\n Performances will be at 6 p.m. on Friday and Dec. 18, 19, and 20; at 2:30 and 6 p.m. on Sunday; and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 21.<\/p>\n Christmas in Leipzig<\/p>\n The Bach Choir of Bethlehem<\/a> will surround audiences with the wonder of Bach\u2019s own Advent and Christmas in 18th-century Leipzig. The choir will present \u201cChristmastime in Leipzig<\/a>\u201d on Saturday and Sunday.<\/p>\n The choir will take its audience on a journey to discover what Christmas sounded like 300 years ago. The program will transport the audience through the dramatic arc of Advent and the joyous arrival of Christmas, with music originally performed in the historic churches of Bach\u2019s own city.<\/p>\n The program will begin with two of Bach\u2019s stunning Advent cantatas, BWV 62, Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (Saviour of the Nations, Come!) and BWV 147, Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben (Heart and soul, life and deeds), which includes the beloved Jesu, Joy of Man\u2019s Desiring.\u00a0<\/p>\n Next will be Bach\u2019s exuberant Christmas cantata BWV 110, Unser Mund sei voll Lachens (May our Mouths Be Filled with Laughter), written exactly 300 years ago and brimming with trumpets, timpani, and irrepressible joy.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s concert also will feature the premiere of a carol by\u00a0Larry Lipkis. As always, the concert will conclude with the audience joining in on cherished carols.<\/p>\n Tickets cost $50.<\/p>\n Performances will be at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Egner Chapel, which is located on the campus of Muhlenberg College in\u00a0Allentown; and\u00a0at 4 p.m. on Sunday at First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem.<\/p>\n MunOpCo is back<\/p>\n MunOpCo Music Theater<\/a> will return after more than a year with a holiday show. It will present \u201cTree of Lights: A Musical Celebration of Christ’s Birth\u201d at 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday at Northampton Community College\u2019s Lipkin Theatre.<\/p>\n MunOpCo is holding its first production since it staged \u201cRock of Ages\u201d in September 2024. The company, Allentown\u2019s oldest community theater, postponed its production of \u201cUrinetown, The Musical,\u201d which was scheduled for February 2025, because of \u201cfinancial impacts and timing considerations,\u201d according to the board of directors.<\/p>\n Last spring, the company sent out a survey looking for suggestions from the public about the future of the organization.<\/p>\n Newly elected board president Daniel Petrovich said the company\u2019s 98th season will open with the holiday show, and the new board is reviewing shows for late spring or early summer. The board also includes Cheryl Dreas as vice president and Darice Hoffman as secretary.<\/p>\n Terri Williams<\/p>\n \u201cTree of Lights\u201d is a a contemporary Christian cantata compiled and directed by Terri Williams.<\/p>\n Terri and her late husband, Larry Williams, were leaders of MunOpCo for 22 years before moving to Florida in 2015.\u00a0After Larry died in 2019, Terri founded Green Room Productions and presented the first \u201cTree of Lights\u201d as a socially distanced one-act concert in Palm Coast, Florida, in 2020.<\/p>\n It became a Christmas tradition in Palm Coast, and this year, Terri decided to bring it to Pennsylvania for the first time to present at MunOpCo.<\/p>\n Pulled from various cantatas written and arranged by Phil Barfoot, \u201cTree of Lights\u201d takes audiences on a journey through the biblical Bethlehem using pop, gospel, and country versions of Christmas classics and new creations.<\/p>\n Tickets cost $20.<\/p>\n MunOpCo was established in 1927. It is the sixth-oldest municipal opera company in the country and the oldest linked to a recreation commission.<\/p>\n Charter Arts winter concert<\/p>\n Kimberly Mora<\/p>\n The Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts<\/a>\u2019 (Charter Arts) music department will hold its winter concert series with performances featuring the school’s various choirs and ensembles.<\/p>\n The Winter Choral Concert will be at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 15. This year\u2019s concert will showcase the talents of more than 120 student vocalists under the direction of David Macbeth, Erica Dickson, and Talia Sheehan.<\/p>\n The performance will feature four of the school\u2019s distinguished ensembles, the 9\/10 Choir, 11\/12 Choir, Treble Choir, and Touring Choir, in a program that highlights both contemporary and classical choral repertoire. Featured composers include Eric Whitacre, Elaine Hagenberg, John Rutter, and Ola Gjeilo, offering audiences a rich and varied musical experience.<\/p>\n A highlight of the evening will be the Charter Arts Touring Choir\u2019s presentation of an excerpt from Handel\u2019s \u201cMessiah,\u201d offering the audience a preview of the larger community performance it will present with the Concord Chamber Singers later this month at First Presbyterian Church.<\/p>\n The concert will conclude with all ensembles uniting on stage to perform \u201cLaudate\u201d by Christopher Alexander, a vibrant and festive work set in Latin that promises to deliver a powerful finale.<\/p>\n The winter instrumental concert will be 7 p.m. on Dec. 19.\u00a0For this year’s concert, the Charter Arts Wind Ensemble will perform \u201cMinnesota Portraits\u201d by Pennsylvania native Sam Hazo. The percussion ensemble will showcase two contrasting works \u2014 \u201cStarfall\u201d and \u201cIdentity Crisis\u201d \u2014 featuring some unexpected \u201cinstruments.\u201d The orchestra will perform a blend of contemporary and nostalgic selections, including the ever popular \u201cSleigh Ride,\u201d and the guitar ensemble will be featured in a special pre-recorded performance to be projected on the screen.<\/p>\n Tickets cost $8 to $14 and can be purchased online<\/a>. Charter Arts is located at 321 E. Third St. in Bethlehem.\u00a0<\/p>\n RTP play reading<\/p>\n Adam Richter<\/p>\n The Reading Theater Project<\/a> will present the first play reading of the 25\/26 season with \u201cJacob and Ebenezer: A Love Story\u201d at 7 p.m. on Thursday at GoggleWorks<\/a>\u2019 Boscov Theater, which is located at 201 Washington St. in Reading\u2019s Entertainment Square. The play, written by Adam Richter,\u00a0 is a prequel to \u201cA Christmas Carol\u201d that Charles Dickens couldn\u2019t have written and fits perfectly into the \u201cDisruption\u201d theme of RTP\u2019s play reading series.<\/p>\n Jacob Marley and Ebenezer Scrooge are two of the most ruthless businessmen London has ever seen. They are hated by everyone and hate everyone in return, but they have each other.\u00a0<\/p>\n The cast features Corey Clark, Joel Gori, George Hatza, and Richard Bradbury.<\/p>\n The performance is directed by John Gancar and stage managed by Sean Sassaman.\u00a0<\/p>\n Richter of Wyomissing has had two one-act plays, “Eye Contact” and “Clips,” win the Phillip’s Mill Emerging Playwright Award.\u00a0<\/p>\n Admission is \u201cpay what you will,\u201d with a recommended price of $10. Those who are able to are encouraged to pay the $20 pay-it-forward price.<\/p>\n Nutcracker at Zoellner<\/p>\n Hub Willson<\/p>\n Zoellner Arts Center<\/a> at Lehigh University in Bethlehem will present the Pennsylvania Youth Ballet\u2019s production of \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d at Baker Hall.\u00a0This beloved holiday tradition will feature a live orchestra performing Tchaikovsky\u2019s iconic score and will showcase a cast of nearly 100 dancers.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d captures the wonder and joy of the season through dazzling choreography, stunning costumes, and magical storytelling. Audiences will be transported into Clara\u2019s dreamworld, filled with swirling snowflakes, shimmering decorations, and the elegant Sugar Plum Fairy. This year\u2019s production will feature guest artists from world-renowned ballet companies performing alongside the talented young dancers of the Pennsylvania Youth Ballet.<\/p>\n Presented in partnership with the Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and Lehigh University\u2019s music department, this annual production blends professional artistry with community tradition.<\/p>\n Performances will be at noon and 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.<\/p>\n Tickets range from $35\u2013$59.<\/p>\n Original play at Genesius<\/p>\n Douglas Carter Beane will begin his new role as artistic director of Genesius Theatre<\/a> in Reading with a new work he\u2019s written and is directing, a play about art and Pennsylvania titled \u201cThe Behavior of Light.<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n Beaner, who is a Tony-nominated writer,\u00a0 is returning to his childhood playhouse. It was on the Genesius stage where a young Beane first discovered his lifelong passion for theater in the 1970s.<\/p>\n Beane described \u201cThe Behavior of Light\u201d as a \u201cbattle cry for art\u201d that reminds audiences that \u201clearning to take the frustrations of life and turn them into a creative expression is one of the joys of life. It reminds us of the power of kindness.\u201d<\/p>\n The story, set in West Reading in 1972, follows the staff and adult students of a night school\u2019s 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\u2019s 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 \u2013 gray reality and technicolor fantasy \u2013 as Teddy uses art to make sense of the world around him.<\/p>\n A cast of seven local performers whom Beane described as, \u201ctremendous and inspiring,\u201d play a cornucopia of characters.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are trying to tell this as freely and simply as possible,\u201d Beane said. \u201cThere 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Cast members include 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 TJ, and Abby Hannis as Gina.<\/p>\n Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Dec. 18, 19, 20, 26, and 27, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday.<\/p>\n Genesius Theatre is located at 135 N. 10th Street in Reading.<\/p>\n \u2018Miracle\u2019 at Wind Creek<\/p>\n The first-ever national tour of Meredith Willson\u2019s \u201cMiracle on 34th Street The Musical<\/a>\u201d is being staged at Wind Creek Event Center<\/a> in Bethlehem.<\/p>\n Based on the cherished holiday film, this heartwarming musical tells the story of a Macy’s Christmas Santa, who may be the real Santa Claus (Kris Kringle), and a little girl (Charlotte Surak) who learns to believe in the impossible.<\/p>\n The production features members of the Allentown Symphony Orchestra as well as Bethlehem native Hanna Scotch as swing\/assistant dance captain.<\/p>\n Featuring the beloved song \u201cIt’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,\u201d\u00a0\u201cMiracle on 34th Street The Musical\u201d is adapted from the classic holiday film starring Edmund Gwenn, Natalie Wood, and Maureen O’Hara.\u00a0<\/p>\n Performances will be at 2 and 8 p.m. Thursday and Saturday; at 8 p.m. on Friday; and at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This year, Hanukkah will be celebrated between Dec. 14 and 22, and Civic Theatre of Allentown will present…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":58409,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[119,31960,5527,7019,29491,17641,128,130,129,289],"class_list":{"0":"post-58408","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-reading","8":"tag-allentown","9":"tag-celebration-of-lights","10":"tag-christmas","11":"tag-concert","12":"tag-hanukkah","13":"tag-musical","14":"tag-reading-city","15":"tag-reading-city-headlines","16":"tag-reading-city-news","17":"tag-things-to-do"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58408","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=58408"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58408\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/58409"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=58408"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=58408"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=58408"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/67e4466c8cc10.image.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/6939cd26440f3.image.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/6939cd6111283.image.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/68389ce858e83.image.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/6939cdd15aa36.image.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/6939ce031da51.image.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/6939ce4fbafc1.image.jpg\")
<\/p>\n