Book writer/lyricist directing Genesius production of 'Unexpected Joy,' plus more arts and culture news
Apr. 21—Genesius Theatre will stage the musical "Unexpected Joy," an upbeat, multi-genre and multi-generational family dramedy, from Friday through May 5 at its 10th and Walnut streets playhouse.
The production is being directed by the show's book writer and lyricist, Bill Russell. This partnership builds upon a relationship the theater and the two-time Tony Award-nominee established in 2022, when performers from Genesius joined Russell and the GoggleWorks for his presentation of "My Side of the Show," which married Russell's stories about writing the Broadway musical "Side Show" with performances of selected songs from the show. Genesius had previously produced "Side Show" in 2017.
"Unexpected Joy," called "genuinely refreshing" by The New York Times, and "a musical celebration — truly a winner," by BroadwayWorld, takes place in modern-day Cape Cod. The story centers around three generations of a musical family as they navigate the loss of their patriarch and process the addition of an unexpected pair for their matriarch.
Joy, a baby boomer and proud hippie, is holding a memorial concert for the other half of her popular musical duo, Jump & Joy. The sparks fly when her conservative daughter and rebellious granddaughter arrive from Oklahoma, and the family seeks to find common ground in their different values, dreams and goals. This heartfelt and hilarious story depicts how powerfully unifying music can be, even for a family who hasn't experienced true joy together for decades.
"'Unexpected Joy' is the story of a family of musicians struggling to find common ground among their wildly differing lifestyles and beliefs," Russell said. "The cast of four women fight, play and, most of all, make music together. The score of rock, blues and gospel encompasses their differences and connections in this funny, moving and timely story."
The cast features Kelly Kantner as Joy, with Becca Synder, Ellen Rochlin and Davina Lopez.
The score was composed by Russell's longtime writing partner, Janet Hood, a prolific composer, performer and musical director who has worked on Broadway, regional and London productions, toured with Ronnie Gilbert and Holly Near, and performed with the Boston Pops.
Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. next Sunday, 7:30 p.m. May 1-4 and 3 p.m. May 5, when Hood will be in attendance. Tickets range from $15 to $32.50. For more information and reservations, see genesiusdifference.org.
Dance
Dancing With the Reading Stars, the annual fundraiser for Yocum Institute for Arts Education, will be held Friday from 5:30 to 10 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown Reading.
The night will be filled with live music, entertainment, dinner and dancing. Nine couples from various businesses and organizations throughout the area will take the stage and perform for votes.
The Uptown Band will be providing the live musical interludes and leading the after-performance dance party.
Tickets cost $100 at ticketleap.com.
Bookings
Two shows have been added to the schedule at the Santander Performing Arts Center, Reading: comedian Mark Normand on Aug. 23 and the Beatles tribute act The Fab Four on Dec. 21.
Normand has done a one-hour Comedy Central special, "Don't Be Yourself," a half-hour Comedy Central special, and has appeared on TBS's "Conan" six times, "Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon," "Late Show with Stephen Colbert," Showtime's "Live at SXSW" and "Inside Amy Schumer," and released an album with Comedy Central records titled "Still Got It."
The Fab Four will present "USA Meets the Beatles: A 60th Anniversary Concert."
For tickets and more information, see santander-arena.com.
Art
Studio B, Boyertown, will present "The Full Monty," featuring the works of 14 "gentlemen artists," starting with an opening reception on Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibition will run through June 25.
In a brief "B Inspired" podcast episode, gallery director Susan Biebuyck said: "I've wanted to feature our gentlemen artists in a special exhibit for years. In discussing the scheduling of the show, artist Peter Rampson suggested the 'Full Monty' title, and the excitement 'ramped up'. We will celebrate all-things-male from these amazing artists who will offer their paintings, assemblages and photography to this special exhibit."
Participating artists are Albert Ciervo, Miles DeCoster, Charles Emlen, Daniel Gaumer, Bob Hakun, Walt Hug, Barrie Maguire, Jim Meehan, Mike Miller, Peter Rampson, Jay Ressler, Robert Seabourne, Joe Szimhart and Bill Timmins.
Studio B, 39A E Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown, is open Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 2 p.m., or by appointment. Visit www.studiobbb.org to learn more about programs and member artists.
Theater
The Reading Theater Project will present "Prospect Hill" by Bruce Walsh, the second staged reading in its Play Reading Series: Wonder, on Thursday at 7 p.m. at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts' Boscov Theatre, 200 Washington St., Reading. Free parking is available behind the building.
Kimberly Patterson direct's Walsh's play, which takes place in a Midwestern college town. Jacob runs an in-home, sliding-scale counseling practice, partly underwritten by Rex, his well-to-do husband. But when Rex sets his savior complex on Ethan, Jacob's working-class, drug-addicted client, the couple's relationship fractures — then suddenly flourishes — as all three men wrestle their addictions, grievances, false
idols and yearnings for a higher power.
The play was a Terrence McNally Award Finalist in 2021 at the Philadelphia Theatre Company. The cast features Lady Strongman as Jacob, Jeff Shannon as Rex, Kyle Conrad as Ethan, with Kevin Wade and Rob
Weidman in supporting roles.
Walsh's works have been produced around the country, winning the Heideman Award, the Gary Garrison National Ten Minute Play Award and the Maxim Mazumdar New Play Competition. He will be a William Inge Center Playwright-in-Residence in 2025. He teaches literature and creative writing at Messiah
University, as well as theater at Elizabethtown College.
Tickets are pay-what-you-will, with a recommended price of $10, and are available at
Music
The Muhlenberg Arts Board will present a Lunchtime Concert in the Park on Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jim Dietrich Park, with a rain date of Friday. Students from the Muhlenberg Middle and High Schools will be performing jazz tunes. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to watch them perform.
Admission is free and food can be purchased under the pavilion for a reasonable rate. The concert will be performed on the basketball court just off the parking lot near Pavilion No. 2.
