Northampton Community College Theatre kicks off the new year with the Lehigh Valley premiere of “Collective Rage: A Play in Five Betties,” Jan. 18 - 22 in the Norman Roberts Lab Theater on the Bethlehem Township campus.

Director Bill Mutimer, NCC Theatre department head, says that the comedy written by Jen Silverman is about five very different women named Betty who collide at the intersection of anger, sex and the stage.

One Betty is rich. Another Betty is lonely. A third Betty is busy working on her truck. Another Betty wants to talk about love, but needs to hit something. Betty No. 5 keeps using a hand mirror to stare into parts of herself she’s never examined.

“Amidst a political landscape in which women’s bodies seem to be constant fodder for legislative control, it is quite refreshing to witness five women speaking about their bodies, their relationships and their sex lives in ways that are hysterical, candid and undogmatic,” says Mutimer.

“While the play is feminist and utterly political, it is joyful to see these characters rage and love and explore their bodies and make theater and bad choices without calling out the politics,” Mutimer says.

The stories of the five Betties play out in various permutations across 19 scenes.

The play premiered in September 2016 at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Washington, D.C.

Mutimer, who cast the play in December, says he has a “wonderful cast who will perform in this fun show.”

Playing the Betties are Rai Guatno, Katelyn Morgan, Azelia Dos-Santos, Lydia Walker and Megan Wolfe. Understudies are Mina Price, Melisa Munroe and Meghan Lawler.

The show has adult situations and language.

Audience members are asked to bring nonperishable food items to stock the NCC food pantry or feminine hygiene products to help NCC’s Women’s Club stock bathrooms on campus.

“Collective Rage: A Play in Five Betties,” 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18, 19, 20, 22; 2 p.m. Jan. 21, Norman Roberts Lab Theatre, Northampton Community College, 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem Township. 484-484-3412, https://www.northampton.edu/

Gala for new theater group:

The newly-formed Reclaimed Performing Arts Company is holding its first fundraiser gala, “The Sky Is The Limit,” 4 p.m. Jan. 21, Rodale Community Room, Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown.

Reclaimed Performing Arts Company was founded by 2023 Cedar Crest College graduate Carter Reichard. The group presented an “extreme” version of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” in December 2023 in the Rodale Room.

The gala includes a catered dinner by La Vida Cafe, a performance by company members, awards presentation, raffle and baked goods for sale.

Performing will be Reichard, Jack Warnke, Michael Russo, Jordan Frantz, Andrew Galindez, Angelina Marie Dries, Deanna Mogianesi, Gabriella Montero, Moriah Faith, Cameron Kunsman and Raven Whitefawn.

Formal dress is encouraged but not required.

Ticket information: https://reclaimedpac.square.site/

“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