Douglas Carter Beane kicks off his run as artistic director of Genesius Theatre with a new work he has written and is directing, a heartwarming play about art and Pennsylvania titled, “The Behavior of Light.”
Performances will take place Friday, Saturday and next Sunday; Dec. 18, 19, 20, 26 and 27. All performances begin at 7:30 p.m. with the exception of next Sunday, when the show starts at 3 p.m.
Genesius Theatre is located at 135 N 10th Street, Reading. Free parking is available in a lot adjacent to the building. An overflow lot is also available; ask the parking attendant for a pass.
For tickets and additional information, visit www.genesiusdifference.org.
This show — packed with local cultural references and imbibed in a cozy nostalgia — is both perfect for Berks County audiences and fitting for the occasion: it’s with this production that the Tony-nominated writer is returning to his childhood playhouse. It was on the Genesius stage that a young Beane first discovered his lifelong passion for theatre in the 1970s.
Beane describes “The Behavior of Light” as a “battle cry for art” that reminds audiences that, “learning to take the frustrations of life and turn them into a creative expression is one of the joys of life.” More simply, he said, “it reminds us of the power of kindness.”
The story, set in West Reading in 1972, follows the staff and adult students of a night school’s art class. The students are mostly mill workers trying to avoid imminent layoffs by earning their GEDs; their effervescent but inexperienced teacher, Caroline, is determined to convince them of the value of art, despite the skeptical beliefs of their cynical and overly analytical principal, Robert.
But it’s an apparent background character who brings the most color to the canvas: Teddy, a shy young janitor with schizoid personality disorder, is inspired by the classes he observes from the shadows. Soon, two parallel stories unfold — grey reality and technicolor fantasy — as Teddy uses art to make sense of the world around him.
A cast of seven local performers, whom Beane describes as, “tremendous and inspiring,” play a cornucopia of characters, including the mother and aunt of Teddy, fellow janitorial staff, art patrons, and an art dealer, as well as the fantastical royal protagonists, evil villains, and delightfully silly sidekicks — including a frog prepared for dissection, a reanimated skeleton, and a dragon with the voice of Joan Rivers — of Teddy’s art.
“We are trying to tell this as freely and simply as possible,” Beane said. “There is no New York City production of this play yet. There is nothing for us to emulate. We only have our heart, our experiences and our instincts to guide us.”
Joining Beane to bring this celebration of art, community and theater to life is fellow Pennsylvania-native, Tony-nominated Broadway professional Allen Moyer (set design). Moyer, who recently joined the board of directors at Genesius Theatre, is teaming up with longtime Genesius set builder, Brent Beckner, to transform the intimate 10th and Walnut streets stage in Reading into the perfect canvas.
The creative team also includes James Haggerty, assistant director; Bill Eschbach, stage manager; and Ellen Dash Walter, dramaturg.
The full cast: James Haggerty as Teddy; Sarah Althen-Haggerty as Caroline; Jonathan Erkert as Robert Norton; Becka-Anne Malanios as Helen; Daphnee McMaster as Rowena; Alvin Green-Lewis as T; and Abby Hannis as Gina.
Genesius Theatre is partnering with the DoubleTree by Hilton Reading. Make a reservation at Cheers American Bistro at the DoubleTree (two hours prior to show time is recommended) and inform your host that you will be using the shuttle service to Genesius Theatre. Then, enjoy free parking in their garage, dinner and a complementary shuttle to and from the theater.
Music
Dave Kline & the Mountain Folk Band have released “Bells,” a new bluegrass Christmas single, following up on their album release, “Our Grass.”
Inspired by the folk art work of rural Pennsylvania artist Jon Bond, “Bells,” a painting by Bond of a family farm dinner bell, has been transformed into a Christmas song in the bluegrass style by Kline and pays homage to the symbolism and tone of bells during the Christmas season and beyond.
The song, on the Smoking Bishop record label, is available on all digital download and streaming platforms. “Bells” is part of an annual Christmas music collection of original songs called Holiday Fruitcake 6. A video is available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcJ37Jm_5XA.
