Civic Theatre's staged readings a chance to see less formal performances

Margaret Christopherson, Lafayette Journal & Courier
·2 min read
"Coming soon live theatre,” is seen on the marquee of the Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette, Wednesday, June 2, 2021 in Lafayette, Ind.
"Coming soon live theatre,” is seen on the marquee of the Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette, Wednesday, June 2, 2021 in Lafayette, Ind.

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Civic Theatre will produce three performances as part of its 2022 Staged Reading Series from June 3 through June 5 at the Monon Depot Theater.

A staged reading is a live performance by actors who are not in costume and who are reading off scripts. While less formal than a main-stage theater production, the actors do rehearse for the readings.

"They've been rehearsing," Raquel Lopez, producing artistic director for Civic Theatre, said. "We had auditions about a month ago. So, it usually only requires about a half a dozen rehearsals before we go on."

Three staged readings will be performed over three days, June 3 through June 5. At 7:30 p.m. Friday, Terrance McNally's "Mothers & Sons" will be performed. This play follows a woman who visits New York City in light of her son's passing due to AIDS only to find potential happiness with her son's surviving partner, his new partner and their son.

At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, "Smokefall" by Noah Haidle will be performed. Directed by Larry Sommers, this play is a combination of magical realism, "manic vaudeville" and family drama, according to a release.

The final staged reading will be of "Little Women," performed by members of the Civic Youth Theatre (CYT). Back in January, CYT's performance of "Little Women" was cancelled less than a week before its debut due to COVID-19 cases among the production team. To make up for this cancellation, an "enhanced" staged reading, as Lopez called it, will take place.

"The same kids are coming back and they are able to (perform)," Lopez said. "...And so, they get to come and at least do the staged reading. We are gonna have them costumed. We're gonna have a little bit of set. 'Little Women' I would say is an enhanced staged reading."

Raquel Lopez, producing artistic director at Civic Theatre, sits in her office, Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at the Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette in Lafayette. "We are very fortunate to have donations," Lopez said in regard to the theatre's reopening in July.
Raquel Lopez, producing artistic director at Civic Theatre, sits in her office, Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at the Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette in Lafayette. "We are very fortunate to have donations," Lopez said in regard to the theatre's reopening in July.

"Little Women" will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

No tickets are required for entry to the staged readings; however, donations will be accepted at the door. Seating will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Before each performance, complimentary pizza from Hot Box Pizza will be available by the lobby bar.

Margaret Christopherson is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. Email her at mchristopherson@jconline.com and follow her on Twitter @MargaretJC2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Civic Theatre's staged readings a chance to see less formal performances