{"id":83830,"date":"2026-01-11T10:28:04","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T10:28:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/83830\/"},"modified":"2026-01-11T10:28:04","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T10:28:04","slug":"reading-civic-theatre-announces-auditions-2026-opening-show-spotlight-delco-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/83830\/","title":{"rendered":"Reading Civic Theatre announces auditions, 2026 opening show [Spotlight] \u2013 Delco Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reading Civic Theatre will be holding auditions for its upcoming production of the musical \u201cSister Act\u201d on Saturday and next Sunday at its venue located at 4350 Perkiomen Ave., Exeter Township.<\/p>\n

Auditions will be scheduled by appointment using Sign-Up Genius via the RCT website, www.readingcivic.org<\/a>. Callbacks will be held on Feb. 1 in the evening, as needed. Casting requirements and audition materials will be available on the website. Anyone auditioning for this production must be at least 18 years old by the initial audition date.<\/p>\n

There will also be a perusal night on Tuesday at the RCT venue for anyone interested in auditioning to receive additional information, details about the production and a chance to review the audition music.<\/p>\n

\u201cSister Act\u201d is a feel-good musical comedy smash based on the hit 1992 film that has audiences jumping to its feet. Featuring original music by Tony- and eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken (\u201cNewsies,\u201d \u201cBeauty nd the Beast,\u201d \u201cLittle Shop of Horrors\u201d), this uplifting musical was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical.<\/p>\n

When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in the one place the cops are sure she won\u2019t be a found: a convent. Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and uptight Mother Superior.<\/p>\n

Using her unique disco moves and singing talent to inspire the choir, Deloris breathes new life into the church and community but, in doing so, blows her cover.<\/p>\n

Filled with powerful gospel music and a truly moving story, \u201cSister Act\u201d will leave audiences wanting more. The cast has roles for women of all ages, as well as several men who are certain to have audiences chuckling. A sparkling, reverent tribute to the universal power of friendship, \u201cSister Act\u201d is reason to rejoice.<\/p>\n

Perrformance dates for \u201cSister Act\u201d are April 10-12 and 17-19 at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays.<\/p>\n

In addition, RCT will open its 2026 season with the Berks County premiere of \u201cBeetlejuice Jr\u201d! The show will run for two weekends: Jan. 30, 31 and Feb. 1, and Febr. 6, 7 and 8 at Reading Civic Theatre.<\/p>\n

This frightfully funny musical is based on the beloved Tim Burton classic turned Broadway phenomenon. Lydia Deetz is a strange and unusual teenager, still grieving the loss of her mother and obsessed with the whole \u201cbeing dead thing.\u201d Lucky for Lydia, she and her father move to a new house haunted by Adam and Barbara Maitland, a recently deceased couple, and Beetlejuice, a delightful demon with a real zest for life.<\/p>\n

When Lydia calls on Beetlejuice to scare away anyone with a pulse, this double-crossing specter shows his true stripes, unleashing a (Nether)world of pandemonium.<\/p>\n

The production staff includes Samantha Grinage as co-director and choreographer along with Jeannette DeAngelo as co-director and producer, with musical direction by Patrick Grinage, stage management by Matt Allen, set design and construction by Gene Hole, costuming by Carolyn Smith and technical direction and lighting design by Brandon Kegerize.<\/p>\n

Ticket prices are $20 for students under 18, $25 for seniors 65+ and $30 for adults and are available online at readingcivic.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The cast features Logan Allen, Daria Orphanos, Eleanor Pretz, Liam Kadas, Harper Kozuch, Jeremy Ortiz, Jaydeanna Garcia, Finley Hunter, Lewis Humphries, Audrey Bokosky, Dahlia Grill, Aria Skelly, Aurora Kiem, Brianna Boyles, Eliese Bortz, Gianna Cavallucci, Holly Lange, Janysha Martinez-Rios and Lillian McCord.<\/p>\n

Film<\/p>\n

The award-winning short film \u201c4th Dementia,\u201d starring Caroline Aaron (\u201cThe Marvelous Mrs. Maisel\u201d) and Bill Irwin (\u201cSesame Street,\u201d \u201cInterstellar\u201d), will premiere on Monday on Omeleto, https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/omeleto<\/a>, a global platform known for spotlighting exceptional short-form storytelling.<\/p>\n

\""4th“4th Dementia” stars Caroline Aaron and was written by Dinner For One, which includes Reading native Ally Condrath. (Courtesy of Ally Condrath)<\/p>\n

Directed by Ian Wexler and written by Brooklyn comedy collective Dinner for One, which includes Reading native Ally Condrath, \u201c4th Dementia\u201d offers a bold, revisionist take on Alzheimer\u2019s disease, one that imagines what might exist in the spaces\u00a0 between memory, identity, and perception.<\/p>\n

With nearly 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer\u2019s, the disease touches almost every family\u00a0 directly or indirectly. Yet most screen portrayals remain narrowly tragic. \u201c4th Dementia\u201d uses comedy not\u00a0 to trivialize the disease but as a tool for empathy, giving a voice to those often erased by illness.<\/p>\n

What begins as an uncomfortable birthday visit for Nellie, an Alzheimer\u2019s patient in a nursing home,\u00a0 fractures into a multiversal journey through alternate versions of her life, where she becomes everything\u00a0 from a film star to a crime boss. \u201c4th Dementia,\u201d which also features Reading native Maddie Mel in the cast, is an absurd and heartfelt story about finding your way\u00a0 back home, even if you can\u2019t remember where that is.<\/p>\n

The result is a daring tonal balancing act, a comedy that is simultaneously absurd, devastating and\u00a0 deeply cathartic.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u20194th Dementia\u2019 is a tricky comedy that has to walk a very fine tightrope,\u201d wrote Medium. \u201cThankfully, they pull off the deed quite admirably, making a film that\u2019s equal parts silly and emotionally devastating\u2026 Caroline Aaron\u2019s presence demands that the subject matter be treated with due respect and seriousness intercut with the abject silliness on display.\u201d<\/p>\n

The film\u2019s emotional impact has struck a chord with audiences and critics alike, particularly those with\u00a0 personal experience of dementia.<\/p>\n

\u201cWatching my mother deteriorate from dementia contained several of these moments where she would pass in and out of reality,\u201d the Medium review continued. \u201c\u20194th Dementia\u2019 gives us a funny yet profound guess at what might exist in those gaps \u2014 and I\u2019m grateful for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Game night<\/p>\n

The WCR Center for the Arts, 140 N. Fifth St., Reading, has announced the launch of Game Night, a monthly community gathering designed to bring people together through fun, connection, and creativity.<\/p>\n

The inaugural Game Night will take place on Monday from 6:30-9:30 p.m. and will continue on the second Monday of each month. Guests are invited to enjoy a relaxed evening of board games and screen-free fun.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe WCR Center for the Arts in Reading is starting Game Night. (Courtesy of the WCR Center for the Arts)<\/p>\n

Whether attending with friends, family or on your own, Game Night is designed to be an easy, low-pressure way to unwind, meet new people and rediscover the joy of games. A variety of board games will be available, and participants are also welcome to bring their favorites to share.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve loved board games ever since I was little, and in fact, you\u2019ll be surprised when you come to Game Night by just how many I personally own \u2014 and am happy to share with you!\u201d said Adam Void, executive director of the WCR Center for the Arts. \u201cAs a theater person, I\u2019ve learned through training and experience that there\u2019s a lot of value to play, and it\u2019s something that we tend to lose as we become older.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdd to that the growing movement of people, and especially youth, who are reexamining their relationships to media, technology, and screens and looking to find alternative ways to stay engaged, connected, and find joy. That\u2019s why I\u2019m so excited to see Game Night at the WCR. I can\u2019t wait to see you there.\u201d<\/p>\n

All ages are welcome, with a suggested donation of $5. Youth 15 and under must attend with a parent of guardian. Free pre-registration is encouraged to help with planning: https:\/\/square.link\/u\/3RQ4saN5<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Reading Civic Theatre will be holding auditions for its upcoming production of the musical \u201cSister Act\u201d on Saturday…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":15485,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[349,1681,182,1213,858,28,128,130,129,289],"class_list":{"0":"post-83830","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-reading","8":"tag-berks-county","9":"tag-entertainment","10":"tag-local-news","11":"tag-music-and-concerts","12":"tag-ontap","13":"tag-pennsylvania","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\/83830","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=83830"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83830\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15485"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=83830"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=83830"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=83830"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}