Reading Community Players opens 2025 season with ‘Play On’

Reading Community Players starts their 2025 season of classics by presenting “Play On.”

This delightful, wacky farce will be presented March 14 and 15 at 7 p.m. and March 16 at 2 p.m. at the WCR Center for the Arts at 140 N. Fifth St. in downtown Reading.

“Play On,” written by Rick Abbot, is a side-splitting tale of a cash-strapped community theater troupe desperately trying to put on an original mystery play in spite of annoying meddling and frequent rewrites from the novice author. A ridiculous disaster of a rehearsal on an unfinished set begins the play, followed by a distressing dress rehearsal that goes off the rails.

Despite the cast and crew’s best efforts, everything that can go wrong, does go wrong on opening night. Was it worth putting on this world premiere murder mystery just to save money by avoiding payments for performance rights? The ticket price will definitely be worth it to patrons coming to see this play-within-a-play.

Local actor, Seth Harkins (playing Billy, who plays Stephen), describes the script as “a hilarious behind-the-scenes look at a theater production, filled with unexpected twists and comedic moments that will leave audiences, both familiar and unfamiliar with community theater, in utter stitches.”

“The characters are endearing and relatable, adding depth to the humor and making the experience enjoyable for all ages,” Harkins continued in the release.

Director Megan Martin said there was a major hurdle for the cast.

“I’m asking my actors to intentionally make mistakes. That’s not an easy task,” Martin said in the release. “As actors, we try very hard to not let our audiences know when things go wrong. In this show, I’m asking the actors to expose those things that we do our best to hide.”

But all will turn out well for ticket-buyers.

“Right now, I can’t keep a straight face — the cast is too funny. Hopefully, after I see their antics enough times, I’ll be able to keep it together,” said Sal Ferrarello who portrays Saul portraying Doctor Rex Forbes.

Fortunately, the audience won’t have to hold back on laughing.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and can be purchased online at readingcommplayers.com. Flex season passes are also available.

Reading Community Players is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to bringing quality theatre and arts education to communities. To learn more aboutthe organization and their offerings, visit www.readingcommplayers.com.

Source: Berkshire mont