The Miller Center for the Arts at Reading Area Community College, long recognized as one of the great performing venues in the Mid-Atlantic Region, is proud to release the initial slate of performances for the 2023-2024 Season. These shows represent an exceptional variety of concerts and events that promise to captivate audiences and have them coming back for more! More information about our shows can be found at https://millercenter.racc.edu/events
“The Miller Center has something for everyone. We are very proud to bring a unique, varied and diverse schedule of spectacular entertainment options for our patrons in Eastern Pennsylvania. This initial 13 show announcement is just the start of our 23/24 season. Stay tuned for more big names that will be coming later in 2023 and 2024”, said Tony DeMarco, Executive Director of the Miller Center and Vice President for Advancement at RACC.
This year is going to be big for the Miller Center! Along with the incredible line-up of shows we have developed an incredible team to make it all happen. Tony DeMarco leads the team as the Executive Director of the Miller Center and Vice President for Advancement at RACC. Working closely with Megan Schappell who was recently promoted to General Manager of the Miller Center as well as Brett Buckwalter the Technical and Operations Coordinator who has been on the Miller Center team since day one. This year they welcomed Libby Harford to the team, a recent Albright Graduate, as the Miller Center Support Specialist and Maggie Kline, a current RACC student, working as the team’s work study.
The Miller Center season kicks off on September 22nd with a highly anticipated return engagement of HYPROV, a live show that combines hypnosis and improv. HYPROV, pronounced “hip-rawv”, stars Colin Mochrie (of Whose Line Is It Anyway?) and Asad Mecci (Hypnotist Extraordinaire) as they take some 20 audience volunteers, find those most receptive to hypnosis and have them join Colin and Asad to improvise the rest of the show. HYPROV had the Miller Center roaring with laughter in January 2022 in one of the funniest shows in our history. Miller Center work-study Maggie says, “Out of all the amazing shows we have coming to the Miller Center HYPROV has to be the one I am looking forward to the most! Ever since I first heard of the shown I was immediately interested and knew I would love it. After all I am a theatre kid, so what could be better than a hypnosis/improv show with one of the best, Colin Mochrie?!”. Tickets are on sale now at https://millercenter.racc.edu/hyprov
The most famous bagpipe band on the planet, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers are hitting the Miller Center stage on September 23rd! Bagpipes with attitude, drums with a Scottish accent and a show with such high energy, the “Pipers” should come with a health warning. The Red Hot Chilli Pipers are a Celtic rock band from Scotland who gained fame after winning the BBC talent show “When Will I be Famous?” Their one-of-a-kind music combines traditional Scottish pipe tunes and rock/pop anthems into what they proudly call ‘bagrock’. Tickets are on sale now at https://millercenter.racc.edu/chilli-pipers
Always Olivia: An Olivia Newton-John Tribute is an homage to one of the most celebrated and beloved pop culture icons of all time, the late Olivia Newton-John. Always Olivia authentically captures the essence and sounds of Olivia’s timeless music. The show stars Annie Aiello, a celebrated singer who has been captivated by Olivia Newton-John since childhood. This show lovingly incorporates five decades of Olivia’s music. There will be dialogue about Newton-John’s history, humor, audience participation, costume changes and video projection with stimulating visuals. Don’t miss your chance to see it on October 5th. Tickets are on sale now at https://millercenter.racc.edu/always-olivia
Get ready for the 2nd Annual Miller Center Music Fest on October 7th. A full day and night of shows with some of finest performers in the area led by dance music DJs, Black Caviar. The duo that comprises Black Caviar met in Reading, PA and have gone on to achieve great success garnering a Grammy nomination, 20 million plays and 223 streams. Local psychedelic groove rock band, Flux Capacitor is joining the lineup this year! Old school Hip Hop Philly Legend ‘Supreem Da’ Rezarekta’ and his band pump out Hip Hop fused with Funk, Soul, and Rock with Supreem and the New Experience. Jon Smith’s Voyages is a Reading natives tribute to David Bowie and Freddie Mercury. Other performers coming to the Music fest include Look 10 from Berks County, Joe Castro and the Gravamen from Collegeville, A. D. Blanco a highly regarded Independent rock star, soulful 16 year old Dylan Zangwill of Exton and DJ Selectron the mix-master extraordinaire from Reading PA. The Music Fest is what Megan is most excited about. She says “Our lineup is a little different this year, more like a mix tape! You will get a little bit of everything, rock, singer songwriter, DJ, punk, indie, and at the end of the night we are going to light up the campus and the dance floor with high energy DJ’s, Black Caviar! Stay tuned for all the fun details for a day you won’t want to miss!”
Using both folk and classical music and dance, Calpulli Mexican Dance Company’s Dia de los Muertos explores a love story that spans the boundary between the living and the departed. Get your tissues ready for October 13th as we follow the story of a loving couple that falls victim to treachery and is separated, seemingly forever. This show is what Brett is looking forward to most! Tickets are on sale now at https://millercenter.racc.edu/calpulli-dance
Attention all Philadelphia Eagles fans, Joe Conklin, the beloved comedy master of WIP Sports, joins forces with the City Rhythm Orchestra for a night of comedy and music on October 18th! Expect a salute to all of the Philadelphia sports teams and their boisterous fans, Conklin takes us on a nostalgic journey featuring all of his celebrity voice impressions, an 8-piece orchestra, and a cast of singers including John Conklin, Casey Conklin, Tricia Gozzi, Debra Toscano, Steve Ritrovato, and surprise guests! Directed by Vince Valentine. Tony DeMarco is most looking forward to this evening, “Joe is one of the great Philly sports comedic personalities. We cannot wait to host him in the Miller Center.” Tickets are on sale now as https://millercenter.racc.edu/joe-conklin
Years before Americana music earned its own category at the Grammy Awards, Steve Forbert helped pioneer the genre’s mix of folk, roots-rock, and richly delivered storytelling. He’s been a torchbearer of that sound for more than four decades since, navigating the twists and turns of an acclaimed career that’s taken him from gold records to Grammy nominations, from New York City’s CBGB to Nashville’s Bluebird Café, from his 1978 debut album to 2022’s vital and versatile Moving Through America. Come and see Steve Forbert & The New Renditions on October 28th. Tickets are on sale now at https://millercenter.racc.edu/steve-forbert
Constantine Maroulis is an American actor and rock singer making his way to Miller Center Stage on November 2nd. Constantine first came to prominence as the beloved rock n’ roll underdog on American Idol, later securing a place in pop culture as a Tony-nominated Broadway superstar. Constantine has been all over social media promoting his upcoming Rock ‘N’ Roll Cabaret show at the Miller Center. On staff, Libby is most excited for this performance this season saying “this show is going to be a little taste of Broadway mixed in with classic rock and roll. I can’t wait to see what Constantine brings, he’s always so energetic!” Tickets are on sale now at https://millercenter.racc.edu/constantine-maroulis
Buddy Holly’s remarkable music needs to live on forever. Through John Mueller’s “Winter Dance Party”, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper will come alive again on the Miller Center stage on November 10th. “Winter Dance Party” is the official live and authentic recreation of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper’s final tour and the only show endorsed by the Holly, Valens and Richardson estates. Each live concert performance includes over two hours of unbridled, high voltage entertainment featuring all the hit songs of the 50’s era: That’ll Be The Day, Peggy Sue, Oh, Boy, Rave on, La Bamba, Chantilly Lace, and many, many more. Tickets are on sale now https://millercenter.racc.edu/winter-dance-party
The Forests and Shores of Acadia is Jill Haley’s latest release about music she wrote while an Artist in residence at Acadia National Park. She creates and performs programs of the national park music with video of the images that inspired the music. This program will feature a video of images that inspired the music that will be performed on oboe, English horn, piano and guitar. Opening for her in this performance is the guitarist David Cullen, known for his wide range of styles including classical, jazz, and world music. See these two inspired performances on November 12th. Tickets are on sale now at https://millercenter.racc.edu/acadia
Jim Brickman, one of the most beloved pianists in the world, will deliver his distinctive style and captivating live performance at the Miller Center on November 16th. Brickman has revolutionized instrumental music. He has transformed the popularity of solo piano-playing. His musical canon has hundreds of original, pop-style instrumentals with star-studded vocal collaborators to joining in. He has become the most charted Adult Contemporary artist and best-selling solo pianist to date. Brickman’s current tour is titled “Jim Brickman: Hits Live and A Little Bit of Christmas”. Tickets are on sale now at https://millercenter.racc.edu/jim-brickman
Get ready for traditional Christmas Classics and World Class Irish Dancing when Christmas in Killarney: An Irish Christmas Celebration comes to the Miller Center on December 13th for two shows (2pm and 7pm). Come and join us in the old village of Killarney, Ireland for an evening of Irish traditional holiday music and your favorite Christmas songs! Watch Irish dancers leap through the air and tap their feet while you enjoy the music and harmonies of the season. See what it means to celebrate Christmas the “Irish” way – where some of the most iconic Christmas traditions originated! Tickets are going fast for this one! Tickets are on sale now, https://millercenter.racc.edu/christmas-killarney
The Unforgettable Fire was born on a New Year’s Day in 1995 as one of the very first U2 Tribute Bands to ever perform in America. After twenty-five years of performing at the most prestigious venues throughout the East Coast and beyond, UF have formed the reputation of being the preeminent U2 tribute Show in North America, striving to present a truly authentic U2 experience, both sonically, and visually. All U2 fans should lock in their tickets now to see the Unforgettable Fire at the Miller Center on March 8, 2024. Tickets are on sale now, https://millercenter.racc.edu/unforgettable-fire
The Miller Center is Berks County’s home of The Machine who are returning on April 27, 2024 for the 3rd straight year. The Machine will present the entirety of Dark Side of the Moon and other fan favorites. The Machine has forged a 30+ year reputation of extending the musical legacy of Pink Floyd. With stellar musicianship and passionate delivery, The Machine explores collective improvisation rivaling that of an early 1970’s Pink Floyd, while their use of expanded theatrical elements and elaborate stage displays and lighting continues The Pink Floyd spirit of the 1980’s. Tickets are on sale now, and go fast! https://millercenter.racc.edu/the-machine
