All the city's a stage this summer: Casting call begins for Bethlehem-wide performances of novel

By CANDICE WILLIAMS
The Express-Times

BETHLEHEM -- Mayor John Callahan and a few of his tallest friends hosted a news conference Wednesday to announce city-wide auditions will begin next week for an original adaptation of the novel "Don Quixote." Callahan also proclaimed the 400-year-old-novel Bethlehem's official 2005 book to read. "I'm in the middle of reading it myself," Callahan said as a 13-foot puppet of Don Quixote and another of his best friend, Sancho Panza, stood nearby. "And then I plan to read a children's version, too."

According to Callahan, the city will be a blaze of free, community-wide spirit and joy, cultural diversity and multi-languages, as celebrations will culminate in a mid-July street performance play titled, "Don Quixote of Bethlehem." Calling the celebration "kinetic theatricade," Touchstone Theatre's Project Director Jennie Gilrain announced, "We are looking for actors, musicians, dancers of all ages to join us in this city-wide celebration." Written by Touchstone, the play will call for more than 100 actors in addition to 30 performers yet to be cast, Gilrain said.

On Saturday and Sunday, July 9 and 10 at 5:30 p.m., the city will host two free performances in the streets of South Side Bethlehem. The adaptation of the classic novel of good and evil, "Don Quixote of Bethlehem" will use the story of an ingenious gentleman to create an entertaining performance that promotes literacy and celebrates cultural diversity," Gilrain said.

A map of the route indicates the players will stroll along South Bethlehem, beginning at Lehigh University's Zoellner Arts Center, through the Lehigh University campus, down New Street to Third Street, back up to Fourth Street, then to Hayes Street, and eventually to end at historic St. Michael's Cemetery.

To add an Allentown flair to the celebration, Muhlenberg College in conjunction with Touchstone will conduct "Reading Circles" at St. John's Lutheran Church, 32 S. Fifth St., Allentown. Dates and times are available by contacting Muhlenberg College Professor Erika Sutherland, 484-664-3518.

In addition, a 24-hour reading marathon will take place in both Allentown and Bethlehem and a wall-size mural under the guidance of Banana Factory's recent artist-in-resident Jonas Dos Santos will welcome residents of all ages to participate, Gilrain said. Sis-Obed Torres Cordero, executive director of the Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations of the Lehigh Valley, has collaborated with Touchstone's Bill George to emphasize that the new play embraces the culture of the Spanish communities, Gilrain said.

In addition, a 45-minute family production titled "Don Quixote: The Adventure Begins," is now on tour and is available to perform for area schools, community centers and playgrounds, Gilrain said. "Touchstone brings Don Quixote back to life in the diverse neighborhoods of our post-industrial region," Sutherland said. "As part of the Quixote Project, local college students and community readers from many cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds are reading both parts together."

For more information call 610-867-1689 or e-mail lisa@touchstone.org.