The Reading Theater Project to Offer Preview of DA PONTE

The Reading Theater Project presents a preview of their upcoming June production, Da Ponte - The Outrageously True and Charmingly Infamous Life of that Glorious Jewish Catholic Priest, Genius Librettist who Inspired Mozart-of-All-People, Master of Italian Literature and Bringer-Of-It to America, Toothless Businessman, Pennsylvania Resident, Superb Lover of (All) Women, and So Many Other Topics and Situations. The preview will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 701 Penn St, Reading PA 19601, on Friday, April 8th at 9:30pm as a part of Boscov's Berks JazzFest. General admission is fifteen dollars.

The Reading Theater Project's mission is to create new theater inspired by Reading and greater Berks County. In this spirit Reading Theater Project has created an original jazz opera, story by Sue Lange, composed by Chris Heslop, and libretto written by Vicki Graff based on Lorenzo Da Ponte, Mozart's librettist, who had connections to the region. The evening will feature songs from the upcoming production performed by RTP's musical director, Chris Heslop, bassist Paul Gehman, drummer Lew Leabman, and pianist Lars Potteiger. The cast is comprised of regional singers: Tamara Black, Julia Smith, and Matt Mangus, with Pittsburg based singer, Zach Luchetti.

In addition to an extremely talented cast, Da Ponte also features an outstanding production team where Christopher David Roche? directs and designs the set, Tom Birch stage manages, Kathie Kustudich designs props, and Christine Cieplinski & Rebeka Schaeffer-Birch design costumes. For more information on the preview and June production or to learn how to donate, please go to ReadingTheaterProject.com or call 484-706-9719.

Reading Theater Project's production of Da Ponte is partnered with Berks Opera Company. RTP is supported by the Berks Arts Council, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Reading Musical Foundation, and West Reading Tavern, as well as other local businesses.

The Reading Theater Project is a multigenerational collective of performing artists who create new theater in Reading, PA. Since 2003, Reading Theater Project has given local professional performing artists an artistic home, with opportunities for collaboration, development, showcasing, and personal growth. For more information, please visit ReadingTheaterProject.com or call 484-706-9719.