Detective Petunia Santiago and the indigenous superhero Amauta invite neighbors and fellow sleuths to bring their fingerprint dusting kits and magnifying glasses for Storytelling Through Dance this Saturday on the steps of Reading Public Library.
This year’s production has the enigmatic title of “HHH,” and spins a tale about a near-murder mystery tangled throughout a mayoral debate. The story follows the aspirations of power and love of the city’s most devious schemers, shameless politicos, and hopeless romantics. The free community play utilizes drama, ventriloquism, and of course dance, to bring all the twists and turns to life.
Storytelling Through Dance is an annual collaboration between the library and the community engagement organization Barrio Alegría. Daniel Egusquiza is the community outreach supervisor for the Reading Library and the executive director of Barrio Alegría. Egusquiza is the principal playwright of Storytelling Through Dance, and he said this year’s production will be unlike any other before it.
“This year we really wanted to explore love in a counterintuitive way,” Egusquiza said. “So, we wrapped it in a mystery and in exploring that mystery, you are shown how we can lie to ourselves and others. So much so, that finding the truth can feel impossible, even if it is right in front of you.”
Melissa Adams, executive director of the Reading Public Library, said the community theater project is yet another example of how the library is reaching the community.
“Partnering on culturally relevant and experiential programs, like Barrio’s “Storytelling Through Dance,” is integral to the Reading Public Library’s engagement in the community,” Adams said.
Annalis Ortega portrays protagonist Detective Petunia Santiago, who is charged with tracking down whoever is responsible for nefarious actions surrounding the mayoral debate. Ortega is also the coordinator for the South of Penn initiative, which aims to improve the quality of life for neighbors in the city’s southside.
“This play is going to fill South 5th Street with excitement and action,” Ortega said. “We always want to bring something wholesome and unexpected to the South of Penn, and we are definitely doing that with HHH.”
Event Details:
Storytelling Through Dance near-murder mystery community theater production.
Where: Reading Public Library main branch, 100 S. 5th Street, Reading, PA.
Date: Saturday, July 26 @ 3PM
Cost: Free and open to the public.
