Do you love to sing? The audience will serve as the choir at the 46th annual Sing Messiah community event on Sunday at 3 p.m. at West Lawn United Methodist Church, which is located at 15 Woodside Ave. in Spring Township, Berks County.
Audience members sing along to the oratorio composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel, supporting vocal soloists, accompanied by the Berks Chamber Orchestra, a sub group of the Reading Pops Orchestra.
"Messiah" follows the life and legacy of Jesus. The text begins in Part I with prophecies by Isaiah and others and moves to the annunciation to the shepherds. In Part II, Handel concentrates on the passion of Jesus and ends with the Hallelujah chorus. In Part III, he covers Paul's teachings on the resurrection of the dead and Christ's glorification in heaven.
The event will be led by Bill Snelling with soloists Katherine Crusi, soprano; Maria Damore, alto; John Coakley, tenor; and Kent Bollman, bass/baritone.
A free will offering will be taken.
Pines to open at church
Pines Dinner Theatre is experiencing more delays in opening its new location in Allentown, so the theater will present its production of "White Christmas" at Christ Lutheran Church, which is located at 1245 Hamilton St. in Allentown.
Pines posted on its Facebook page that delays with subcontractors forced it to postpone the opening. Pines said it will provide food service at the church.
The dinner theater, which had been on North 17th Street for 14 years, had to move when its lease was not renewed in 2023.
Pines said it hopes to open at its new location in the former Pistachio Bar & Grille at 315 S. Cedar Crest Blvd. on Dec. 10.
"White Christmas" is a musical based on Paramount Pictures' 1954 film of the same name. The book is by David Ives and Paul Blake with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin.
Veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful song-and-dance act after World War II. The two men are smitten by Betty and Judy, a duo of beautiful singing sisters who are heading to their annual Christmas show at a Vermont lodge. Bob and Dave discover the inn is owned by their former army commander, Gen. Waverley, and find out, unbeknownst to him, the inn is struggling to survive. With the help of Martha, the inn's concierge, and the general's granddaughter, Susan; Bob, Phil, Betty and Judy decide to put on a big show to draw in business and save the inn.
The score includes many well-known standards such as "Blue Skies," "I Love A Piano," "How Deep Is the Ocean" "White Christmas," "Sisters," "Snow," "Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)," and "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm."
Tickets include the show only. Food is a la carte.
Performances will be at 12:30 p.m. dinner, 1:30 p.m. show Thursdays and Sundays; 6:30 p.m. dinner, 7:30 p.m. show Fridays; 12:30 p.m. dinner, 1:30 p.m. show, and 6:30 p.m. dinner, 7:30 p.m. show Saturdays, Nov. 29 to Dec. 29.
Touchstone Follies to perform at tree lightings
Touchstone Theatre of Bethlehem will return for "Christmas City Follies XXV" at its black box theater, which is located at 321 E. Fourth St. in Bethlehem.
"Christmas City Follies" has become a beloved Bethlehem tradition, known for its original sketches, characters, and songs. Thousands of locals and tourists have made this family-friendly, vaudevillian-style holiday show an annual addition to their holiday festivities, knowing that they can expect something special every time.
Writers, actors, and designers from Touchstone's ensemble work each season to create a fresh and fun production directed by JP Jordan. Every year is a surprise, bringing brand new stories to the stage while sprinkling in some recurring fan-favorite characters and scenes from past shows, such as Mary Wright's Little Red, Bill George's Old Guy, and a giant anthropomorphic panda.
To offer a sneak preview of this year's "Follies," Touchstone ensemble members will perform at Bethlehem's north-side Christmas tree lighting at 4:30 p.m. on Friday at Payrow Plaza and at the city's south-side Christmas tree lighting at 5 p.m. on Saturday on New Street across from the Greenway entrance.
Touchstone Theatre will host the Downtown Bethlehem Association live advent calendar, which happens daily at 5:30 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 23 at the Sun Inn courtyard. Every evening, some Touchstone actors will select a member of the audience to open the door and see what surprises await inside.
Touchstone actors also will greet visitors for the Bethlehem Historic District Association's holiday house tour at 9 a.m. on Dec. 14 at various locations throughout the city.
Touchstone will offer pay-what-you-will for "Christmas City Follies XXV" on Thursdays.
Tickets cost $35 for adults and $25 for students and seniors.
Performances will be at 8 p.m. Dec. 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 18, 19, and 20; at 2 p.m. Dec. 8, 15, and 22; and at 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 14 and 21.
Civic's Scrooge and Tiny Tim at lighting
Civic Theatre will stage its 33rd annual production of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" at the historic 19th Street Theater, which is located at 527 N. 19th St. in Allentown.
This year, Civic's performances will be co-directed by Williams Sanders, themanaging artistic director,and JoAnn Wilchek Basist, Civic Theatre School administrator.
This adaptation of Dickens' novela is by Sanders and Sharon Lee Glassman, Civic board president emeritus.
Bill Joachim will play Ebenezer Scrooge, and eight-year-old Cashton Morrow will play Tiny Tim. The pair are reunited after playing the same roles in 2022. Joachim and Morrow have each played the roles three times. Joachim played Scrooge in 2021 and Morrow played Tiny Tim in 2023.
Scrooge and Tiny Tim will be joined by Santa Claus to light the Christmas tree at the west end tree lighting on Saturday from 4 to 5 p.m. at 19th and Liberty streets in Allentown.
"A Christmas Carol," which tells the tale of Scrooge and his redemption, has included thousands of Lehigh Valley children over the years. More than 70 children in two casts will fill the stage with urchins, carolers, and party children, among other roles, Basist said.
According to Basist, this year, real-life father and son Christopher and Alex Pizolato will play Bob and Peter Cratchit.
The cast also features Mark Ingram as Fred; Remy Kayal as Marley; Moriah Faith as the ghost of Christmas past; Deven Windisch as the ghost of Christmas present; Matt Croslis as the ghost of Christmas yet to come; Rob Wallace as Fezziwig; Susan Schlegel as Mrs. Fezziwig; and Virginia Hahn as Mrs. Cratchit.
Certain performances will have a surprise appearance by Charles Dickens, who is portrayed by Jarrod Yuskauskas, who played Scrooge last year.
The Dec. 19 performance will be pay what you will.
Tickets cost $35 for adults; $30 for students, seniors, and military; and $13 for children age 13 and younger.
Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6, 7, 11, 13, 19, and 20; at 2 p.m. Dec. 8 and 15; and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and 21.
Fundraiser in Nazareth
A staged reading of "The Normal Heart" will benefit Bradbury-Sullivan LBGTQ Community Center in honor of World AIDs Day at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Nazareth Center for the Arts, which is located at 28 Belvidere St. in Nazareth, Northampton County.
"The Normal Heart" is a largely autobiographical play by Larry Kramer. It focuses on the rise of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in New York City between 1981 and 1984, as seen through the eyes of writer/activist Ned Weeks, the gay founder of a prominent HIV advocacy group.
Will Erwin will play Ned. He will be joined by Giovanni Marini as Tommy, Clair Freeman as Mickey, and Connor Roberts as Hiram. A reception will follow the reading.
Audience members can pay what they're able at the door. Seating is limited. They can RSVP by texting or calling 973-476-3417.
'Wonderful Life' at Shawnee
The Shawnee Playhouse, celebrating its 45th season, will present "A Wonderful Life, The Musical."
Based on the 1946 film, "It's A Wonderful Life," this uplifting musical faithfully follows George Bailey through his childhood dreams and aspirations to his midlife setbacks and disappointments, as he embarks upon an existential journey of self discovery, while he ponders whether or not his life has had any significant meaning and impact on those around him. Cinematically scored and theatrically staged, this beautiful adaptation breathes musical life into a timeless classic, while retaining the warmth, humor, and pathos of the original. This rendition is sure to become a new holiday favorite for devotees and newcomers alike.
Directed by Ryan Cook, the musical stars George Kovarie as George Bailey, Ken McMullen as Clarence, Megan Fry as Mary Hatch Bailey, and Johanna Gelbs as the alternate for Mary Hatch Bailey. It also features Dante Giammarco as Mr. Potter/Joseph's voice, Mike Morano as Uncle Billy/Franklin's voice, Alex DiDuca as Harry Bailey, Rachel McDaniel as Violet Bick, Stephen Hellman as Pop Bailey/Bert, Lorenzo Cascia as Mr. Martini, and Angelo Revilla as Mr. Gower/Ernie.
Other cast members are Sarah McCarrol, Midge McClosky, David Berger, Jules Gindraux, Sally Hendee, Liam Rosales, Robert Cooney, Maelynn McCormick, Evelyn McCormick, David Carmen, and Blake Porcano.
Performances will be at 2 and 7 p.m. p.m. Friday and Saturday and Dec. 6, 7, 13, and 14; and at 7 p.m. on Sunday and Dec. 8, 15, 21, and 22.
There will be a sensory-friendly performance at 10 a.m. on Dec. 5.
Tickets cost $32 for adults, $29 for seniors, and $19 for children age 17 and under.
