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LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER

Curtain Rises: Original works on Lehigh Valley stages

Lehigh Valley thespians are trying out new things on stage.

At Touchstone Theatre, ensemble member Matt Prideaux has written an original play.

At Civic Theatre of Allentown, two performers have developed a new musical showcase highlighting the contributions of black entertainers.

Prideaux presented a staged reading of “Spit Out the Poison,” 7 p.m. Jan. 29, Touchstone Theatre, Bethlehem.

Prideaux describes the work as a “a modern-day Greek tragedy with drinks, dancing, piñatas and perhaps just a little bit of bloodshed.”

The play follows Paul as he moves into the next chapter of his life. However, his plans for retirement get thrown out the window when his celebration turns into a bit of a nightmare. Paul is unhappy with his life. He’s unhappy with his wife. He’s unhappy with his children, his family and his friends. Life did not turn out the way that Paul wanted. But maybe it turned out exactly the way that he deserved.

Prideaux says he started developing the script a decade ago in college. Inspired by Stephen Sondheim’s “Company,” which questions societal fixation on marriage and manhood, “Spit Out the Poison” extends the conversation further by asking, “Who would I become if I gave in to society’s idea of the traditional man?”

“With this piece, I am exploring themes of masculinity, identity and societal expectations,” Prideaux says. “At its core, it is a confrontation of what happens when someone is forced into a mold that doesn’t fit and the damage that can result. It’s emotionally raw and, at times, painful. But for those who are a little broken, like me, I hope it provides comfort. I hope you feel seen, understood and a little less alone.”

Prideaux graduated with a Master of Fine Arts in Performance Creation in 2022 through a partnership between Touchstone and Moravian University. He is general manager at Touchstone.

There was to be a 30-minute talkback with Prideaux and the cast following the reading, which was recommended for ages 16 and up for realistic portrayals of abuse and explicit sexual content.

“Spit Out the Poison,” 7 p.m. Jan. 29, Touchstone Theatre, 321 E. Fourth St., Bethlehem. 610-867-1689; http://www.touchstone.org/

“The Family Reunion” is a collaborative musical showcase that celebrates black music through history, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8, Civic’s Nineteenth Street Theatre.

The showcase looks at the influence on today’s music and entertainment by black and people of color entertainers such as Beyonce, Prince, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, The Supremes, Whitney Houston, Bob Marley, Aretha Franklin and Boyz II Men.

The show was conceived and will be directed by Juanita-Renay Gray and Veronica Cummings, who starred in Civic’s 2024 production of “Ain’t Misbehavin,’” a musical tribute to jazz musician Thomas “Fats” Waller.

Gray, who says it is her first time directing, describes it as “a musical showcase that will take you back to some of the jams you’ve heard while grandpa was lighting the grill, or while you were just waiting to eat.”

“The Family Reunion,” 7:30 p.m. Feb. 8, Civic Theatre of Allentown, 527 N. 19th St., Allentown. 610-433-8903, https://civictheatre.com/

“Curtain Rises” is a column about the theater, stage shows, the actors in them and the directors and artists who make them happen. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com

Matt Prideaux