“World-Wide Ukrainian Play Readings” is a global initiative to commission new plays by Ukrainian writers to support the country’s culture during Russia’s War on Ukraine.

Lehigh Valley artists and the Ukrainian community present an evening of’ theater, film and dance to raise money for Ukrainian relief, 7 p.m. June 4, Prosser Auditorium, Moravian University, 1200 Main St., Bethlehem.

“World-Wide Ukrainian Play Readings: Lehigh Valley” will include a staged reading of “A Dictionary of Emotions in War Time” by Yelena Astasyeva; a short film created from the play, “Peace and Tranquility” by Andrii Bondarenko, and a performance of traditional folk dances by KAZKA Ukrainian Folk Ensemble.

“A Dictionary of Emotions in War Time” is directed by Randall Forte, who is leading efforts in the region to raise awareness about the plight of millions of Ukrainians displaced by the war. The play was created through the Totem Center Theater Lab in Ukraine.

“The arts offer a powerful way to engage,” Forte says. “This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with our community and help our neighbors tell their story. As a result, we have been able to build a network of local support in a relatively short time.”

“Peace and Tranquility” is a film created by Christopher Shorr, head of Moravian University’s theater program and co-director of Moravian’s InFocus Center for War, Peacebuilding the Just Society. Bill George and Emma Ackerman of Bethlehem’s Touchstone Theatre are also involved with film.

KAZKA Ukrainian Folk Ensemble was founded in 1987 to preserve the culture, music and dance of the Ukrainian immigrants in the anthracite coal regions of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

The region is home to one of the largest American Ukrainian communities in the United States.

The ensemble, based in Lehighton, has performed locally, regionally and internationally including a 1992 tour of Ukraine and a 2004 appearance at Disney World. The ensemble is directed by Paula Holoviak.

The World-Wide Ukrainian Readings initiative was started by American journalist and theater critic John Freedman, now living in Greece. Partners include Maksym Kurochkin, Theater of Playwrights, Kyiv; Noah Birksted-Breen, Sputnik Theatre, London, and Philip Arnoult, Center for International Theater Development, Baltimore. The initiative has participants from 18 nations who have pledged 128 readings of 68 plays.

The performance is raising funds for Voices of Children Foundation, a Ukrainian charity providing shelter and creative activities for children facing the trauma of war.

To donate: www.voices.org.ua/en/

The audience is invited to stay after the performance for conversation and refreshments.

Admission is by donation.

Information: https://www.moravian.edu/theatre/season

Musical premieres at Playhouse:

The Steve Martin and Edie Brickell musical “Bright Star” has its Lehigh Valley premiere, June 2-19, Pennsylvania Playhouse, 390 Illick’s Mill Road, Bethlehem.

“Bright Star,” inspired by a true story, tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and 1940s.

When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past. What she finds has the power to transform both of their lives.

The show features a folk and bluegrass score by comedian Martin and singer-songwriter Brickell.

“Bright Star” was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

The cast is led by Gabrielle Hondrop, Chris D’Imperio and Stephen Krock. Brian Houp is making his directorial debut. Choreographer is Jaedon Muhl. Music director is Lynn Flickinger.

Performances are 7:30 p.m. June 3-4, 10-11, 17-18 and 6 p.m. June 5, 12 and 19.

Tickets: www.paplayhouse.org; 610-865-6665

Crowded Kitchen world premiere:

Crowded Kitchen Players premiers its original play “The Spiritualist,” June 3-19, Charles A. Brown IceHouse, 56 River St., Bethlehem.

”The Spiritualist,” written and directed by Ara Barlieb, is set in London at the end of World War I and the beginning of the influenza pandemic of 1918, which killed more than 70 million world-wide.

Col. Sebastian Lloyd, a retired military officer is on a quest to make contact with his wife and three children who died of influenza while he was fighting in the war.

Sebastian (David Oswald) enlists the aid of his widowed sister-in-law, Gwendoline (Trish Cipoletti), to find renowned spiritualist, Madam Tasaya (Sharon Ferry) and see if she can contact his family.

The scientifically-minded Gwendoline is skeptical.

One night at a seance, Tasaya seems to know secrets of the dead and Sebastian is convinced while Gwendoline is determined to expose what she thinks is sleight-of-hand and side-show mentalism, resulting in tragic consequences.

The two-act play will include pre-show discussions by local magicians Bruce Ward or Joseph Keppel.

The cast includes Michael Sheridan, Pamela Wallace, Bruce Brown, Brian Wendt, Jerry Brucker, Dawn Daignault, Donald M. Swan, Colleen Popper and Sandy Repash.

Performances are 8 p.m. June 3-4, 10-11, 17, and 2 p.m. June 5, 12 and 19.

Tickets: 610-704-6974

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival children’s show:

Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival presents the first children’s productions of its 31st summer season.

“Little Red,” a feisty fairy tale mash-up written by PSF alumni Andrew Kane, runs June 3 - Aug. 6, Schubert Theatre, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales University.

Little Red finds adventure and confidence as she journeys through the forest with a trio of jumpy little pigs. They encounter storybook favorites turned upside down in the unexpected retelling of classic fairy tales. The show is directed by Matt Pfeiffer.

Performances are at 10 a.m. most Tuesdays through Saturdays.

There will be a relaxed performance June 24. Information: psf@pashakespeare.org; 610-282-9455

Tickets: Box Office, Labuda Center for the Performing Arts, DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley; www.pashakespeare.org; 610-282-WILL [9455]

“Curtain Rises” is a column about the theater, stage shows, the actors in them and the directors and artists who make them happen. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com