Theater in Berks County

October 17, 2026 · 7:30 PM · 136 N 6th St

Cary Elwes, who played Westley, comes to the Santander Performing Arts Center on October 17 for an evening built around one of the most quoted films ever made. The night begins with a screening of The Princess Bride, followed by a moderated conversation in which Elwes shares personal recollections and behind the scenes stories from life on and off the set. It is a chance to return to Florin and Guilder and everything that comes with them: fencing, giants, chases, rodents of unusual size, narrow escapes, miracles, and true love. Longtime fans who can recite the lines and newcomers seeing it on a big screen for the first time will both find plenty to enjoy. Beyond his role as the Man in Black, Elwes has appeared in Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Days of Thunder, Twister, Liar Liar, Saw, Seinfeld, Stranger Things, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning. Doors open at 6:30 PM, with the program starting at 7:30 PM.

Hosted by Santander Performing Arts Center

October 30, 2026 · 7:30 PM · 136 N 6th St

The Bodyguard comes to the Santander Performing Arts Center stage on Friday, October 30, 2026 at 7:30 PM. Adapted from the 1992 film that starred Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, the musical follows former Secret Service agent Frank Farmer, hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from a stalker whose identity no one knows. Each of them arrives certain of being in control, and neither counts on falling in love. The score is built from songs audiences already know by heart, including "Queen of the Night," "So Emotional," "I Wanna Dance with Somebody," "Saving All My Love," "One Moment in Time," and "I Will Always Love You." Between the big vocal numbers, the story keeps its grip with suspense and a few turns you will not see coming. It is a night of romance, tension, and chart-topping music in one of Reading's landmark theaters, and a good pick for anyone who grew up with these songs or wants to hear them performed live.

Hosted by Santander Performing Arts Center

November 30, 2026 · 7:30 PM · 136 N 6th St

The Santander Performing Arts Center hosts A Christmas Story: The Musical on Monday, November 30, 2026 at 7:30 PM. The stage version brings the 1983 holiday film to life with songs by the writing team behind Dear Evan Hansen, La La Land, and The Greatest Showman. Set in 1940s Indiana, the story follows young Ralphie Parker and his single-minded campaign for one particular Christmas gift, an official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. Getting there means surviving a department store Santa, a triple-dog-dare at a frozen flagpole, a pair of pink bunny pajamas, and the arrival of a certain lamp that his father considers a major award. The production was nominated for three 2013 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and it keeps the humor and warmth that made the movie a December tradition in so many Berks County households. It is a good fit for families looking to start the holiday season together in downtown Reading.

Hosted by Santander Performing Arts Center

February 19, 2027 · 7:30 PM · 136 N 6th St · All ages

Cirque Alice brings Lewis Carroll's Wonderland to the stage at the Santander Performing Arts Center, trading the storybook page for aerial silks, contortion, puppetry and dance. The familiar trip down the rabbit hole becomes an acrobatic adventure, performed by an international cast of circus artists alongside guest musical and comedic performers. The production comes from the team behind touring hits including The Illusionists and Circus 1903, and it moves to a score of newly arranged contemporary takes on well known classical pieces. Expect a steady stream of high flying moments, sight gags and visual surprises built around characters audiences already know. The evening show begins at 7:30 PM on February 19, 2027, with doors opening an hour beforehand. It is designed as a night out for all ages, so families, couples and groups of friends will all find something to enjoy in downtown Reading.

Hosted by Santander Performing Arts Center

February 20, 2027 · 2:00 PM · 136 N 6th St · All ages

Cirque Alice brings Lewis Carroll's Wonderland to the stage at the Santander Performing Arts Center, retelling the familiar adventure through acrobatics and stagecraft. Aerialists, contortionists, dancers and puppetry carry the story forward, with acrobatic performers drawn from companies around the world. The production is set to a score of contemporary arrangements of well known classical music, and the cast includes guest musical and comedic artists alongside the acrobats. Expect a steady mix of spectacle and storytelling, built around the characters and scenes audiences already know from the book. Doors open at 1:00 PM, leaving time to find seats before the show begins. It is a good fit for families, for anyone who enjoys circus arts, and for Berks County audiences looking for an afternoon out in downtown Reading.

Hosted by Santander Performing Arts Center

February 20, 2027 · 7:30 PM · 136 N 6th St · All ages

Cirque Alice brings Lewis Carroll's Wonderland to the Santander Performing Arts Center stage as a circus spectacle. Acrobats from around the world carry the story through aerial work, contortion, dance, and puppetry, with the familiar characters and curious turns of the tale reimagined for a live audience. The production is scored with contemporary arrangements of well known classical pieces, and guest musical and comedic performers appear alongside the acrobatic cast. Expect the kind of moments that make a room go quiet just before it erupts, staged with color and detail from start to finish. Doors open at 6:30 PM ahead of the 7:30 PM show on Saturday, February 20, 2027. The Performing Arts Center sits at 136 North 6th Street in downtown Reading, an easy walk from area restaurants if you want to make an evening of it. A Dinner on the Mezz pre-show buffet upgrade is offered for this performance.

Hosted by Santander Performing Arts Center

February 21, 2027 · 1:00 PM · 136 N 6th St · All ages

Cirque Alice brings Lewis Carroll's Wonderland to the stage of the Santander Performing Arts Center as an acrobatic spectacle. The story of Alice and her trip down the rabbit hole becomes a showcase for aerialists, contortionists, dancers, and puppetry, performed by a cast of circus artists drawn from around the world. The production comes from the team behind The Illusionists and Circus 1903, and it pairs its gravity-defying feats with a score of familiar classical pieces given fresh contemporary arrangements. Musical and comedic guest artists round out the afternoon. This Sunday matinee in downtown Reading is built for a wide audience, with enough spectacle to hold the attention of younger viewers and enough craft to reward anyone who appreciates circus arts.

Hosted by Santander Performing Arts Center

February 21, 2027 · 6:30 PM · 136 N 6th St · All ages

Cirque Alice brings Lewis Carroll's Wonderland to the stage at the Santander Performing Arts Center, retelling the familiar journey through a lens of acrobatics and stagecraft. Expect aerialists working high above the stage, contortionists, puppetry, and dancers, with guest musical and comedic performers woven into the story. The production is set to a score of classical favorites reworked in contemporary arrangements, giving the whole adventure a sweeping, cinematic feel. Familiar characters and moments from the book arrive with new twists, so there is plenty to recognize and plenty to be surprised by. It is built as a spectacle for a broad audience, which makes it a good fit for families, groups of friends, and anyone curious about circus arts without a long trip out of Berks County. Downtown Reading's theater setting keeps the performers close, so the balance and timing behind each feat is easy to appreciate from the seats.

Hosted by Santander Performing Arts Center