New musical set in Reading in the works; Genesius presenting 'Disenchanted' [Spotlight]

Apr. 23—Reading natives Michael LaFata and Santo D. Marabella have announced the staged workshop presentation of a new original musical romantic comedy, "Love Is Afoot!," coming to Reading this summer.

Co-produced with the Greater Reading Alliance of Community Theatres, the hilarious romp is the classic boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl love story turned upside-down. Think "Singin' in the Rain" if it was done by John Waters.

The script was written by LaFata (ACME Comedy Theatre, UCB) and Perry Sachs ("Saturday Night Live," Happy Madison Productions) with music by Sachs and jazz legend Kevin Guillaume. The story is set in 1940s Reading, with a soundtrack that swings to a big band orchestra. Broadway veteran Laura Bell Bundy ("Legally Blonde," "Hairspray") brings her deep theatrical roots on-board as creative producer.

The production is scheduled for the first two weekends in August at the Miller Center for the Arts. It will be more than a staged reading but not quite a full production, with a cast of approximately 15, an orchestra of six musicians, and direction by Marabella.

An open call for uncast roles will be held today from 2 to 5 p.m. Those interested in auditioning should email Marabella at Info@MarabellaLLC.com with "LIA Auditions" in the subject line.

----Genesius Theatre will stage the off-Broadway hit musical "Disenchanted" from Friday through May 7 at its 10th and Walnut streets playhouse in Reading.

Using an all-woman cast, "Disenchanted" follows iconic storybook heroines as they become none too happy with the way they've been portrayed in today's pop culture, so they toss away their tiaras and come to life to set the record straight.

The musical introduces beloved princesses in brand-new roles, including Snow White as the self-assured leader of the princess pack; Cinderella as an enthusiastic feminist; Sleeping Beauty as the comedic opposite of Snow White; The Little Mermaid as the rowdy and rebellious life of the party; Pocahontas as her authentic and historical self; Belle from "Beauty and the Beast" as a mad housewife; The Princess Who Kissed the Frog as the confident and clever Black princess, who is here to reclaim her throne; and many more familiar fairytale princess faces.

Under the direction of LJ Fecho, Genesius' "Disenchanted" features Ellen Rochlin as Snow White, Cecilia Cooper as Cinderella, Becka Malanios as Sleeping Beauty, Sarah Althen as Belle, Rachel Pereira as Mulan and Pocahontas, Mikaela Krall as The Little Mermaid, Chloe Marturano as Rapunzel, and two newcomers to Genesius: Chrissyanne Lawson as the Princess that kissed the Frog. and Jazalyn Horta Sanchez as Princess Badroulbadour.

"This musical is a blast," Fecho said. "These princesses have so much to say about pretty much everything. It's very zany, clever, and a tad raunchy, for sure, but there's always so much truth in satire, which adds a sweet touch of humanity to this wonderful female revue piece."

Show dates are April 28-30 and May 3-7, with curtains at 7:30 p.m. except Sundays at 3 p.m. To reserve seats, visit genesiusdifference.org.

Film

ReadingFilm Office will host Emmy-nominated actress and stunt woman Janeshia Adams-Ginyard on Thursday to speak to youth at two locations including an assembly at Reading High School as part of an annual city-wide Violence Prevention Week initiative. Adams-Ginyard is best known for her roles as Nomble, in the Marvel film "Black Panther" and the Disney+ series "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier."

"As we look to develop the next generation of filmmakers, ReadingFilm seeks to encourage talented students and media arts enthusiasts to share their stories and explore the art of filmmaking," said Cammie Harris, executive director. "I was so inspired by Ms. Adams-Ginyard's career, but also her belief that we should all strive to create a positive impact on the world around us. It is an important message for youth, and true at any age. It is an honor to have Ms. Adams-Ginyard visit our community and share her story."

The public is invited to attend ReadingFilm's 5th Annual Five Minute FilmFEST Awards Ceremony on Thursday at 6 p.m., where Adams-Ginyard will be presenting awards to student winners and participate in a student-led Q&A. The ceremony will be held at Albert and Eunice Boscov Theatre at Goggleworks Center for the Arts, Reading. Advance registration will be required at https://bit.ly/40BAt3b

"I am very excited and really looking forward to speaking to the youth in Reading. It is my purpose and passion to inspire, encourage and motivate," Adams-Ginyard said. "The students will be impacted by my story of persistence, resilience and determination to never give up. I want them to leave there knowing that they are all destined for greatness and have the ability to achieve every one of their dreams, goals, and aspirations."

This presentation is made possible with support from Berks Community Action Program, Centro Hispano, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, Doubletree by Hilton and Reading School District.

Art

Studio B Fine Art Gallery, 39A E. Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown, will host the opening of "The Edible Woman" on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibit continues through June 18. A tour of the exhibit and introductions to the artists will be held between 6 and 7 p.m. and featured on Facebook LIVE. A virtual tour will be available following the opening.

Susan Biebuyck, Studio B's gallery director, and Kristen T. Woodward, college professor and department chairwoman at Albright College, decided to co-curate the exhibit together focusing on what they both loved: food. The exhibit is inspired by Margaret Atwood's novel of the same name.

"Margaret Atwood's work highlights empowerment in women," says Biebuyck who, together with Woodward, describe themselves as "foodie-friends in art."

Exhibiting artists are Susan Biebuyck, Alyssa Cuesta, Jane deGruchy, Pam Dent, Crystal Domino, Susan Duby, Suzanne Fellows, Amy Forsyth, Shannon Fugate, Laura Gelsomini, Yenna Hill, Angela Izzo, Karen Palcho and Linda Rohrbach-Austerberry and Woodward. Included will be works in watercolor, acrylic, oil, encaustic, jewelry, printmaking and ceramics.

----Reading Pride Celebration and GoggleWorks Center for the Arts have announced a call for artists for their first LGBTQ+ Art Showcase. The exhibition, in celebration of Pride month, will be held in Schmidt Gallery at the GoggleWorks from June 7 through July 16 and is open to local LGBTQ+ artists in different media.

The exhibition is open to all levels of artists, and RPC's Art Committee will select pieces. The deadline for submission is May 1. Artists are may submit their applications through https://www.eventeny.com/events/applications/application/?id=1432.

Events

Four new shows have been announced for downtown Reading's Santander venues: the country duo Brothers Osborne will perform June 24 at the Santander Performing Arts Center; the metalcore bands the Ghost Inside and Underoath, with support from We Came as Romans and Better Lovers, will perform July 19 at Santander Arena; the rock band Extreme, known for the 1990 hit "More Than Words," will play the Santander Performing Arts Center on Aug. 8 with special guest Living Colour; and Chazz Palminteri will present the one-man show "A Bronx Tale" at the Santander Performing Arts Center on Oct. 20. Tickets are on sale at ticketmaster.com.

Music

Kutztown University Jazz Ensemble I will present the world premiere of "Hibiscus," commissioned by the ensemble from Geoff Keezer, winner of the 2023 Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition for "Refuge" from his recent album "Playdate," on May 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Schaeffer Auditorium on campus. The event is free to attend and open to the public.

Keezer is a jazz pianist, composer and arranger who has collaborated with a number of renowned musicians throughout his career, including Art Blakely, Wayne Shorter, Diana Krall, Chris Botti, David Sanborn, Diane Reeves, Christian McBride and Sting.

Keezer was asked to write a piece for two music faculty members: Dr. Maria Asteriadou, piano, and Dr. Scott Lee, bass, accompanied by KU's Jazz Ensemble I.

For more information, contact KU's Department of Music at 610-683-4550 or music@kutztown.edu.