Area theater productions

AMBLER

Act II Playhouse, Ambler has extended “My Fair Lady” through June 17. (215-654-0200 or www.act2.org

EPHRATA

Ephrata Performing Arts Center's Sharadin-Bigler Theater, Cocalico Street, Ephrata (717-733-7966) 
"Blithe Spirit" June 7-23

HERSHEY

Hershey Theatre, 15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey (717-534-3405)
"Mamma Mia!” June 26 through July 1

LANCASTER

American Music Theatre, 2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster (717-397-7700) presents "Country Classics" May 2 through June 30

MALVERN

People’s Light & Theatre, 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern (610-644-3500) presents  "Beautiful Boy" through June 24

PHILADELPHIA

Academy of Music, Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” the musical that was a smash hit on Broadway, plays June 4-10. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999 or online at kimmelcenter.org/broadway

Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. Second St., Philadelphia (215-922-1122)

* ‘Tulipomania.The Musical” on the main stage May 24 through July 1

* "Robin Hood," on the Arcadia stage through June 17

InterAct Theatre Company presents the world premiere of “Etched in Skin On a Sunlit Night, ” a dynamic drama  about “an African American painter who has exiled herself to Iceland only to have her secrets revealed and her racial demons unleashed during Barack Obama’s presidential election campaign,”  June 1 -24 on the main stage of the Adrienne, 2030 Sansom St., Philadelphia. For information or tickets , call 215-568-8079 or  go to www.InterActTheatre.org

Plays and Players Theater, 1714 Delancey St., Philadelphia (215-735-7356) present Tom Stoppard’s “Travesties” June 7-23, 2012. The second of two plays looking back at 100 years ago, “Travesties” takes you on a stylistic joy ride through an imagined meeting between James Joyce, Vladimir Lenin and Tristan Tzara who all lived in Zurich during World War I.

Prince Music Theater, in the black box theater, 1412 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, 215-569-9700 or PrinceMusicTheater.org

"Dybbuk" is a story of love, ghosts, and faith. America's first son of playwrighting, Tony Kushner, brings his flare for poetry matched with humanity in his version of the greatest Jewish Play ever written.  This magical play is set 19th century Polish village where a wedding celebration is interrupted by a supernatural presence.  This Tony, Pulitzer and Academy Award winner's words matched with EgoPo's magical and physically powerful staging makes this a must see. 

Walnut Street Theatre –

* “Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story,” main stage through July 15

     * A Grand Night for Singing,’ Broadway’s tribute to Rodgers & Hammerstein through July 1 in Independence Studio 3

 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.

PHOENIXVILLE

The Forge Theatre presents “High Sprits,” a stylish musical comedy about the problems that arise when the ghost of his first wife comes back to visit him — and his second wife. The original Broadway production opened in 1964 and was nominated for 8 Tony Awards. It runs June 8 through June 30 at 241 First Avenue, Phoenixville. Tickets are available by calling 610-935-1920 

POTTSTOWN

Steel River Playhouse (formerly the Tri-County Performing Arts Center) presents  the new American classic that is raucous entertainment and sharp social commentary ‑- “Hairspray.”   Steel River’s production runs June 7 – 24. Tickets for  adults range from  $20 -$23 and for students and seniors, from $18 to $21 and children  (12 & under), $13 to $15.  For more information visit www.steelriverplayhouse.org or call  610-970-1199.  Steel River Playhouse is located at 245 E. High St. in Pottstown.

READING 

Genesius Theatre presents “Miss Saigon” June 22 to July 1 at the theater at 10^th & Walnut streets.  Tickets are available online at Tix.com  or by calling 610-373-9500 for tickets with credit card or610-371-8151 for non credit card reservations or for questions or show times.

Reading Community Players present “A Pirate’s Life For Me” June 22 through July 1 at the theater, 403 N. 11^th Street.  Free shuttle from the parking lot at The Citadel, 12^th & Walnut streets. All tickets are $8. Call610-375-9106 or visit www.readingcommunityplayers.com

Sovereign Performing Arts Center, 136 N. Sixth St. (1-800-745-3000)

"Girls Night: The Musical" 8 p.m. June 8

To have your production listed here, email information to Cheryl Thornburg at cthornburg@pottsmerc.com 

POTTSTOWN  – Would you like to be a part of the excitement at the Steel River Playhouse (formerly the Tri-County Performing Arts Center), 245 E. High St. in downtown Pottstown?  This is your chance – auditions for the first half of the 2012 – 2013 season are scheduled for mid-May.  Not interested in being on stage?  There are plenty of opportunities to get involved.  Here are just a few;

Season auditions begin on May 16.  The Playhouse is seeking adults, teens, and children (vocalists, actors) for September 2012 through February 2013 productions.  Ethnic diversity is encouraged; specific ethnicities are required for some roles.  These roles are nonunion and unpaid, with travel stipends available for certain roles.  Rehearsals are evenings and weekends.  Shows include “Next to Normal” (musical), “Blithe Spirit” (play), “Annie”  (musical), and “Intimate Apparel” (play).  Contact casting@steelriver.org for more information or to make an appointment.

There are plenty of ways to get involved – the Playhouse is always looking for help with ushers, box office, house management, and assistance with productions including back stage assistants, sound, lighting, costumes – all the things that go into creating a quality performance.

Upcoming performances include the popular educational presentation by Senior students, the Senior Follies, May 12^t and 13.   The Seniors take you for a journey looking for the "fountain of youth." For approximately 300 years, Mr. Potts Townsend and Ms. Trixie Pac have been the keepers of the "Fountain of Youth." Then one lovely spring day, they discover that it has been stolen but the thief has left them a clue that begins the journey.  As the couple travels, they encounter the cultures (through song and dance) and more clues to continue the journey. Experience Around the World in 80 Minutes with lots of songs from New York, Chicago, Texas, Hawaii, Japan, China, Egypt and Spain (just to name a few).  Tickets are available at www.steelriverplayhouse.org, or at the door IF AVAILABLE – this show is sure to sell out, so get your tickets NOW!

A recital by voice students Jordan Popky and Matt Kiesling, both continuing on to professional education for careers in theater, will take place on May 20, and is open to the public. 

The final show of the season is “Hairspray,” with tickets already selling fast. Go to www.steelriverplayhouse.org to reserve your seats. A

Summer Camp begins in July, with a performance of “High School Musical” in August.

For more information, visit www.steelriverplayhouse.org, or call 610-970-1199.

Area theater productions

EPHRATA

Ephrata Performing Arts Center's Sharadin-Bigler Theater, Cocalico Street, Ephrata (717-733-7966)

“Xanadu," through May 12

GLENSIDE

Keswick Theatre, Easton Road and Keswick Avenue, Glenside (215-572-7650)

The Trailer Park Boys present “The Ricky, Julian and Bubbles Community Service variety Show," 7:30 p.m. May 9

MALVERN

People’s Light & Theatre, 39 Conestoga Road, Malvern (610-644-3500)  presents

·      "A Wrinkle in Time," through May 20

·      Shakespeare’s Will,’ May 30 through June 24

PHILADELPHIA

Arden Theatre Company, 40 N. Second St., Philadelphia (215-922-1122)

* ‘Tulipomania.The Musical” on the main stage May 24 through July 1

* "Robin Hood," on the Arcadia stage through June 17

Plays and Players Theater, 1714 Delancey St., Philadelphia (215-735-7356)

1812 Productions presents "Boston Marriage" through May 20

Prince Music Theater, in the black box theater, 1412 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, 215-569-9700 or PrinceMusicTheater.org

“Defending the Caveman” through May 13

Walnut Street Theatre –

·       Let the Good Times Roll! -- A Walnut Celebration of Rock Musicals, 203^rd Anniversary concert, Friday, May 11, 7:30 p.m.
“Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story,” main stage May 15 through July 15

·       A Grand Night for Singing,’ Broadway’s tribute to Rodgers & Hammerstein, May 1 through July 1, in Independence Studio 3

·        

·       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.

READING

Sovereign Performing Arts Center, 136 N. Sixth St. (1-800-745-3000)

Sesame Street Live : 1-2-3 IMAGINE! With Elmo, May 8-9


To have your production listed here, email information to Cheryl Thornburg at cthornburg@pottsmerc.com