Steel River Playhouse makes ‘A Promise to Pottstown’

POTTSTOWN — Steel River Playhouse is proud to announce the premiere of a new play telling the story of the Pottstown community.

“A Promise to Pottstown” is a beautiful piece about Pottstown based on nearly 100 interviews done with area residents.

Community partners include the YWCA, PTICC (Pottstown Trauma Informed Community Connection), the Pottstown School District, and the Pottstown Health and Wellness Foundation, among others. A community cohort gave feedback to help focus the responses, working with playwright Brie Knight. The play then went through several iterations to get to its final status.

“A Promise to Pottstown” will be directed by Reva Stover, co-artistic director of Azuka Theatre. The production of this play is made possible by a generous grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

All performances will be free to the public.

Performances will be at 7 p.m. on Sept. 7, Sept. 9; Sept. 15 and Sept.16. On Sunday, Sept. 10, there will be a 2 p.m. matinee followed by a talkback with playwright Brie Knight. The matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15, will be a relaxed performance with a welcoming environment for all patrons to enjoy live theater and express themselves freely without judgment. Steel River Playhouse invites individuals with ADD, ADHD, Dementia, Autism, sensory sensitivities, or any patron who would enjoy a performance where they can freely express themselves to attend the performance.

The final Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on Sept. 17, will be followed by a block party, so everyone is invited to celebrate with the whole community after the show.

Artistic Director Leena Devlin notes, “We have been working hard for a couple of years to bring this story to the community. I am so grateful to the Pottstown Health and Wellness Foundation, the YWCA and the Pottstown Trauma Informed Care Community for all their support and hard work on this project. The authentic stories of our friends and neighbors in the community gave our playwright, Brie Knight the kind of material she needed to create this play that will ring true to so many living and working in Pottstown. I believe strongly in the power of transformational storytelling and I couldn’t be more proud to bring this powerful story of the people of Pottstown to the Steel River stage.”

According to Director Reva Stover, “Promise to Pottstown is a story about community working together to overcome hardship — whether that hardship is due to a pandemic, racial violence, or even just growing up — the community of Pottstown is one that comes together to champion one another. I love creating 4D experiences that invite the audience to participate in the world of the play and I am so excited to invite audiences into our little version of Pottstown for a taste of that community from the stage.”

Although tickets are provided at no charge Steel River Playhouse asks that you make a reservation at https://steelriverplayhouse.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket#/events/a0S3l00000LcIR0EAN, or by calling the box office at 610-970-1199.

The Playhouse also welcomes volunteer help during performances and as organizers prepare the Playhouse for future events.  Send an email to volunteer@steelriver.org for more information.

Steel River Playhouse

Steel River Playhouse is a non-profit (501c3) theatre and education organization dedicated to sharing stories that reflect our collective humanity by providing a nurturing and empowering environment to represent and serve our diverse community. For more information email info@steelriver.org or check the website at www.steelriver.org.