"The Fantasticks" returns to Reading
Genesius Theatre celebrates its 40th anniversary by reprising its very first show -- "The Fantasticks." The musical opens March 4 and runs through March 13 at the theatre, 153 North 10th Street in Reading.
"The Fantasticks" was the longest running show Off-Broadway.
There is parking next to the theater.
For more information, go to www.GenesiusTheatre.org or call (610) 371-8151.

Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" at Tri-PAC in Pottstown
The Tri-County Performing Arts Center presents Arthur Miller's Tony-Award winning play "The Crucible" from March 3 through March 20 at the Performing Arts Center, 245 E. High St., Pottstown.
The play centers on the Puritan purge of witchcraft in old Salem. The story focuses upon a young farmer, his wife, and a young servant-girl who maliciously causes the wife's arrest for witchcraft. The farmer brings the girl to court to admit the lie - and it is here that the monstrous course of bigotry and deceit is terrifyingly depicted. Arthur Miller's masterpiece was written during Senator Joseph McCarthy's House Un-American Activities Committee hearings, for which Miller was called to testify in 1956. “Although the play is an historical allegory for the McCarthy period, its true power lies in its ability to be re-interpreted to fit any time period. Its fertile themes - the lure of power, the gullibility of those who believe they have a moral imperative, the need to accept responsibility for the consequences of all actions, and the nature of truth - are universal in scope [and] have recurred with alarming predictability throughout human history.” – review by James Berardinelli.
The show runs
Thursdays, Mar 3 (preview), 10, 17 @ 7:30 p.m.
Fridays, Mar 4, 11, 18 at 8 p.m.
Saturdays, Mar 5, 12, 19 at 8 p.m.
Sundays, Mar 6, 13, 20 at 3 p.m.
Talkbacks with director and cast will be held  Sundays, March 6  & 13
TICKETS:
ADULT: Thurs $17; Fri, Sat & Sun $21
STUDENT/SENIOR (65+): Thurs $15; Fri, Sat & Sun $19
CHILD (12 & under): Thurs $13; Fri, Sat & Sun $15
$2 off per ticket for groups of 10 or more.
For more information go to www.villageproductions.org or call 610-970-1199.



"Doubt" on stage in Reading March 11-20
Reading Community Players presents "Doubt"  March 11 through March 20.  Robert Bruce McLean directs the first area production of the 2005 Pulitzer and Tony award winning play by John Patrick Shanley.  The cast of four is made up of Susan Sneeringer, Kirk Lawrence, Julia Parsons and Andrea Griffith.  Patricia Perfect will produce.
"Doubt" is set in a Bronx parochial school in 1964.  Tensions arise when school principal, Sister Aloysius, questions the nature of the relationship between parish priest, Father Flynn, and a young boy at the school. 

Show times are:
Friday, March 11 at 8 p.m.,
Saturday, March 12 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 13 at 3 p.m.

Friday March 18 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 19 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 20 at 3 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at www.readingcommunityplayers.com.  For more information visit the website or call the theatre box office at (610) 375-9106.


Murder mystery dinner theatre

PHOENIXVILLE – Phoenixville Area Community Services (PACS) presents its fourth annual Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre March 25 at  River Crest Golf Club.
Actors from the Forge Theatre bring the charactiers to life  as guests investigate the murder and try to solve the crime. In additon to dinner and the show, there is also a silent auction.  All proceeds from the event support PACS with their programming. PACS is an emergency food pantry for the families in the community in need.
Tickets to the Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre are  $75 per person. To purchase tickets, visit http://conta.cc/PACSDinner or call 610-933-1105. For more about PACS, please visit www.pacsphx.org.

Other area productions in March
Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. Second St., Philadelphia (215-922-1122)
"A Moon for the Misbegotten" through March 6

DeSales University, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, 2755 Station Ave., Center Valley (610-282-3192)
"She Stoops To Conquer" through March 6

Gamut Classic Theatre, 605 Strawberry Square, Harrisburg (717-238-4111)
Gamut Theatre Group presents "A Year With Frog and Toad" through March 12

Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Innovation Studio, 260 S. Broad St., Philadelphia (215-893-1999)
Off Broadway at the Kimmel presents "Parenting 101, The Musical" through March 6

People's Light and Theatre Company, 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern (610-644-3500)
"The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"; Feb. 17 through March 13

Plays and Players Theater, 1714 Delancey St., Philadelphia (215-735-7356)
Theatre Exile presents "The Lieutenant of Inishmore" through March 13

Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St., Philadelphia (215-413-1318)
"Amadeus" through March 6

Walnut Street Theatre, Independence Studio on 3, 825 Walnut St., Philadelphia (215-574-3550)
"The Ugly One" through March 13