For information on submitting an obituary, please contact Reading Eagle by phone at 610-371-5018, or email at obituaries@readingeagle.com or fax at 610-371-5193.
Most obituaries published in the Reading Eagle are submitted through funeral homes and cremation services, but we will accept submissions from families. Obituaries can be emailed to obituaries@readingeagle.com.
In addition to the text of the obituary, any photographs that you wish to include can be attached to this email. Please put the text of the obituary in a Word document, a Google document or in the body of the email. The Reading Eagle also requires a way to verify the death, so please include either the phone number of the funeral home or cremation service that is in charge of the deceased’s care or a photo of his/her death certificate. We also request that your full name, phone number and address are all included in this email.
All payments by families must be made with a credit card. We will send a proof of the completed obituary before we require payment. The obituary cannot run, however, until we receive payment in full.
Obituaries can be submitted for any future date, but they must be received no later than 3:00 p.m. the day prior to its running for it to be published.
Please call the obituary desk, at 610-371-5018, for information on pricing.
Reading Community Players continues its 2025 Season of Classics by presenting “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors.”
This laugh-out-loud version of the Bram Stoker classic novel promises to deliver laughs alongside the chills.
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen will be presented Friday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 26, at 2 p.m. at the WCR Center for the Arts, 140 N. 5th St. in Downtown Reading.
The farcical Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors is neck-biting, hysterically racy, and gloriously ridiculous. With an ensemble of actors bringing the entire cast of living and undead characters to life, prepare for side-splitting scenes and unforgettable moments.
The horrors of this story are well-known. In this scary send-up, effete attorney Jonathan Harker travels to Transylvania to sell some London real estate to you-know-who. Once the vampire arrives in London, both terror and hilarity accompany him and his six coffins of Romanian dirt (the best kind for farming).
Harker’s fiancée, Lucy, reminds the titular sex symbol of his long-lost love. But can Harker, Lucy’s father, and Dr. Van Helsing foil Dracula’s plans for a “romantic getaway” with Lucy or her beefy sister? Oh, and Renfield eats bugs. The comically gifted cast of 10 local actors works hard to bring the story, visual gags, and jokes to life.
Longtime performer, Laura Diann Stewart, simply had to try out.
“I love doing comedy to begin with. When I read this script, I knew I had to audition for it,” Stewart said in the release. “Gender bending. Over-the-top accents. Adult situations. Babka. How could I possibly resist?”
New to the Reading Community Players stage, Christy Jones has thoroughly enjoyed the process.
“Horror and comedy meeting together is the best thing in the world,” Jones said in the release. “I grew up watching Dracula and other horror movies… so as I continue my journey in theater — I figured this would be a great start.”
Seasoned performer Allison Schiding notices how well the cast is collaborating.
“Yes, this show is hysterical, and even though we’ve only had a few weeks of rehearsals, the chemistry between the actors working together has been great! Everyone has been very collaborative and helpful with each other,” Schiding said in the release.
Surely, this will all contribute to a memorable experience for ticket buyers, Stewart feels.
“We’ve all seen a million and one takes on Dracula. This one turns them all on their heads. If Mel Brooks, Monty Python, and the Muppets make you laugh, you will love this show,” said Stewart.
The nuttiness of the script comes in many forms. Actors playing multiple characters even appear onstage in scenes with themselves.
“The best parts are the animal attacks, but no wolves or bats will be harmed in this production,” director Steve Reazor said in the release.
Cast member Stephanie Hartline adds, “The audience will never hear disco music again without thinking of Drac!”
Garlic and crosses won’t even save you from the laughs.
Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors is sponsored by John’s Great Cars.
Tickets for Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors 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 about the organization and its offerings, visit www.readingcommplayers.com.