Featured performances

READING  --  Genesius Theatre presents one of the most memorable musicals of all time, "The Sound of Music" through Dec. 11.  The story of Marie, a high-spirited novice in an Austrian convent who becomes the governess for the seven children of the widowed Captain Von Trapp and the family's escape from the Nazis is one  that inspires generation after generation.  

Performances are December 2, 3, 9, & 10 at 8 p.m., December 4 & 11 at 3 p.m., and December 7 & 8 at 7 p.m. Tickets for performances are $25 for adults, $20 for Seniors, and $15 for Students with ID. All seats for the Wednesday Dec. 7 and Thursday Dec. 8 performances are $15. For tickets and more information visit the Genesius Website at www.genesiustheatre.org or call the Genesius Reservation Hot-Line at 610-373-9500.   The theatre is located at 10th and Walnut streets in Reading.  Genesius has free parking next to the theater, just off 10th Street and is handicap accessible.  The production is rated G.

POTTSTOWN  -- Tri-County Performing Arts Center presents the classic holiday tale, "A Christmas Story" weekends through December 18  at 245 E. High St. in Pottstown. 

 Jean Shepherd's story about Ralphie who wants a  Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas is an old favorite. Tickets are available online at http://www.tripac.org or will be sold at the door if space is available.  Ticket prices range from $13 to $21, with discounts for students and seniors as well as groups of 10 or more.  For full information check  http://www.tripac.org  or call the theater at 610-970-1199.

FLEETWOOD -- Fleetwood Community Theatre presents dinner and a show -- "Lend Me a Tenor" Dec. 2 and 3 at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, 5 West Arch St, Fleetwood, PA 19522
The comedy about tenor Tito Merelli, known to his fans as “Il Stupendo,” features mistaken identity, plot twists, and lost of innuendoes not suitable for younger audiences.
The cost of a ticket includes a hot buffet dinner prepared by Kathryns Katering and served by FCT members before the show from 6 to 7 p.m. Dinner includes Chicken Italiano and roast beef, parsley potatoes, corn, green beans almondine, fruit cup, salad, rolls and butter, water, coffee, lemonade and tea. Home-made desert will be served at intermission with coffee and tea Tickets are for sale and are only available in advance by calling 610-944-3610. Seating is very limited per performance. Doors open at 6 p.m. Performance begins at 7:30 p.m. The show is not recommended for young children because of mature language and situations.


Other area productions

BIRDSBORO
   Students of Daniel Boone High School will present “Babble” at 7 p.m. on Dec. 2 and 3 at the high school. Tickets will be $7 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens.

  
Alpha Omega Players, 301 E. First St., Birdsboro, present "Once on This Island" through Dec. 4, www.alphaomegaplayers.org, 610-404-4844

EPHRATA
Ephrata Performing Arts Center's Sharadin-Bigler Theater, Cocalico Street, Ephrata (717-733-7966) "Cats" Dec. 8-23

FLEETWOOD
Fleetwood Community Theatre presents Dinner and a Show -- "Lend me a Tenor" Dec. 2 & 3. Details above.

HERSHEY
Hershey Theatre, 15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey (717-534-3405)
"Disney's Phineas and Ferb: The Best Live Tour Ever!"; 4 and 7 p.m. Dec. 2
"Shrek the Musical"; Dec. 27 through Jan. 1

KUTZTOWN
 Kutztown University, Schaeffer Auditorium, Kutztown (610-683-4092) Children's Series presents "The Snowman" at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3 and 3 p.m. Dec. 4

MALVERN
People’s Light & Theatre presents Treasure Island: A Musical Panto, through January 8, 2012 on the Main Stage. In Treasure Island: A Musical Panto, Mother Hawkins and Long John Silver return for the holidays with the rascally rabble aboard Ye Olde Blowharde. They sing, dance, stagger, and swim their way through a few of the Seven Seas in search of Billy Bones’ treasure. The Panto is a tradition borrowed from England, where almost every town has a Panto during the holiday season. Pantos are a mix between a fractured fairy tale and a variety show, using familiar stories to form the basis for exaggeration, outrageous jokes, and rollicking songs and dances. Single tickets range in price from $35 – $45. For tickets, call the box office at 610-644-3500. Special discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. For more information or to purchase group tickets, call 610-647-1900 x134 or email charles@peopleslight.org. People’s Light & Theatre is located at 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern, PA 19355.

PHILADELPHIA
Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. Second St., Philadelphia (215-922-1122
"The Whipping Man" through Dec. 18

Forrest Theatre, 1114 Walnut St., Philadelphia (215-923-1515)
"Jersey Boys" Dec. 6 through Jan. 15

Plays and Players Theater, 1714 Delancey St., Philadelphia (215-735-7356)
1812 Productions presents "This Is the Week That Is"  through Dec. 31

Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St., Philadelphia (215-413-1318)
Walnut Street Theatre continues its landmark 203rd season with an all-new production of Broadway’s Tony Award-winning family musical, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s  "The King and I"  runs through January 8 on the WST Mainstage. It is the story of the British governess brought into the court of Siam to tutor the King's many children. This unique love story is told with a glorious score, including "Getting to Know You," "I Whistle a Happy Tune," "Hello Young Lovers" and "Shall We Dance."  For tickets and information, call 215-574-3550 or 800-982-2787. Tickets are also available online 24/7 by visiting www.WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.

POTTSTOWN 
Tri-County Performing Arts Center presents "A Christmas Story" through Dec. 18. See details above.

QUAKERTOWN
The Crowded Kitchen Players production of "The Down of a Thistle," an original Christmas thriller written by Ara Barlieb,  opens Friday and runs through Dec. 18 at McCoole's Arts & Events Place in Quakertown. When a wealthy and somewhat dysfunctional family endeavors to celebrate Christmas at their Adirondack Mountains retreat, an unseen attacker begins taunting them with clues buried in pages literally torn from the traditional yuletide verse, "A Visit From St. Nicholas" (aka "The Night Before Christmas"). Performances are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and Dec. 9, 10, 16 and 17, as well as at 2 p.m. Sunday and Dec. 11 and 18 at McCoole's is at 10 S. Main St. Tickets: $18; seniors, $14; students, $8; all tickets are $10 on opening night. Information and reservations: 610-395-7176; email ckplayers@rcn.com; ckplayers.com.

READING
Genesius Theatre -  "The Sound of Music" Dec. 2- 11. See details above.

 Reading Eagle Theater at the Sovereign Center, 700 Penn St. (800-745-3000)
"Disney's Phineas and Ferb: The Best Live Tour Ever!"; 1 and 4 p.m. Dec. 3

Sovereign Performing Arts Center, 136 N. Sixth St. (1-800-745-3000)
Broadway on Sixth Street Series presents "Mamma Mia!" at  2 p.m. Dec. 4

Reading Civic Theatre  presents "Nunsense," Dan Goggins outrageously funny musical about the Little Sisters of Hoboken Dec. 16-18 at Alvernia University, Francis Hall, 400 Saint Bernadine St. Reading. Four shows only -- Friday Dec. 16 at 8 p.m., Saturday Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. For tickets, call 610-373-3311 or visit www.readingcivic.org.

ROYERSFORD
   American Family Theater presents “Babes in Toyland,” at the Spring-Ford High School 10-12 Grade Center, 350 South Lewis Road, Royersford, on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 1 and 3 p.m. The family-friendly production takes the audience on a musical- and dance-filled journey with characters Alan, Mary, Widow Piper, Jill and Barnaby, who are on an adventure to Toyland. Admission for the musical is $3. Doors open to the public at 12:30 p.m. Those attending are asked to enter through door number 12 at the high school. For questions and information about the performance, contact Mary Chrisman at the district office by calling 610-705-6000.  For additional information, visit the American Family Theater Inc.’s website at www.americanfamilytheater.com.

TELFORD
Dutch Country Players present "The Rented Christmas" Friday, Dec. 2, starting at 8 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, 3, 4, 10 &, 11 starting at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.  All tickets  are $7. It is the story of a man who  hasn't enjoyed a "real Christmas" for years so he decides to "rent" a Christmas from the local rent shop.  The theater is located on Route 563 (Ridge Road) one-half mile east of Route 63 at 795 Ridge Road, Telford, PA 18969. For more information, call DCP Theatre at (215)234-0966.