MunOpCo Music Theatre has announced it will postpone its production of “Urinetown, The Musical” that was scheduled for February at Scottish Rite Cathedral, 1533 Hamilton St., Allentown, Allentown.

The musical was to be the second production of MunOpCo’s 97th season. MunOpCo staged “Rock of Ages” in September.

A message from the board of directors on the MunOpCo website, states:

“Dear MunOpCo Members, Patrons and Volunteers,

“We hope this message finds you well. We wanted to reach out to you before you heard anything through the grapevine to inform you that, due to financial impacts and timing considerations, we will need to postpone the production of ‘Urinetown’ until further notice.

“We encourage all members to share any ideas or suggestions you may have for the future of MunOpCo. Your input is invaluable to us, and we want to ensure we are moving in a direction that resonates with our community.

“In the near future, we will be sending out a survey to gather your thoughts and to gauge what steps are needed to support these suggestions and ideas.

“We look forward to hearing from you and appreciate your understanding of this decision. Thank you for your continued support.

Best Regards,

The MunOpCo Board”

Ali Santos, MunOpCo board president, stated to “Curtain Rises” that MunOpCo held a board meeting the week of Dec. 8 “to discuss the future of MunOpCo.”

The nonprofit theater group, which is Allentown’s oldest community theater, was established in 1927. MunOpCo is the sixth-oldest municipal opera company in the United States and the oldest linked to a recreation commission.

The Municipal Opera Company of Allentown began as an outgrowth of the Allentown YMCA and YWCA choruses, which combined to perform musical productions under the auspices of the City of Allentown Recreation Commission in 1928.

Under director Errol Peters, who was in charge of MunOpCo for more than 30 years, the company performed two productions a year, successfully weathering the Great Depression and World War II.

At first, the company performed light operettas such as “Naughty Marietta” and “The Merry Widow.”

Over the years, MunOpCo Music Theatre became the first nonprofessional company to perform “West Side Story,” “How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying,” “Promises, Promises” and “Cabaret.”

Shows have included “Brigadoon,” “Oliver,” “My Fair Lady,” “The Sound of Music,” “The Music Man” and the Rodgers and Hammerstein version of “Cinderella.”

In 2006, the company moved from its rehearsal and storage facility along Poplar Street, Allentown, to become the resident theater at Allentown’s Scottish Rite Cathedral.

In recent years, the company has struggled with funding and budget deficits, and in 2011, cut its season from three productions to two shows.

Information: https://www.munopco.org/

Pines’ “White Christmas” stays in church: Pines Dinner Theatre’s production of “White Christmas” will continue through the end of its run Dec. 29 at Christ Lutheran Church, 1245 Hamilton St., Allentown.

The theater had planned to move the musical after Dec. 8 to its new location at Allentown’s Shops at Cedar Point.

Pines’ musical director Stacy Bechtel said in an email to “Curtain Rises” that the decision was made to complete the entire run at the church.

“Even though we will get the green light this month that everything is inspected and good to go, staying at Christ Lutheran will be the best choice both for continuity and logistics for our guests,” Bechtel stated.

“We are indeed blessed to have the opportunity to utilize the event center at Christ Lutheran. The church has been awesome to work with as we are patiently waiting to be able to say that our new home is ready to go,” stated Bechtel.

The dinner theater, which had been at 448 N. 17th St., Allentown, for 14 years, relocated when its lease on the former location was not renewed in 2023. The construction of the new site has been plagued by delays.

Pines was to have opened at its new location in the former Pistachio Bar & Grille, 315 S. Cedar Crest Boulevard, in June with a production of “Footloose the Musical.” However, when construction wasn’t complete, that show was postponed to July 5, 2025. Instead, Pines staged “Under The Boardwalk” in July at Delta by Marriott, Breinigsville.

Pines planned to open at the new location in September with “Always … Patsy Cline,” but after more delays, the show was canceled.

In an announcement on social media, Pines said it “ran into a major bottleneck with the interior layout of the space,” which ended up taking eight months.

“White Christmas” was originally to open Nov. 8 at the new location but was delayed until Nov. 28 and opened at Christ Church, where Pines is providing food service. Tickets include the show only. Food is a la carte.

Pines plans to be at the new site for its production of “Married, Engaged & Suzanne,” Jan. 18 to Feb. 22.

“White Christmas,” 12:30 p.m. dinner, 1:30 p.m. show Thursdays, Sundays; 6:30 p.m. dinner, 7:30 p.m. show Fridays; 12:30 p.m. dinner, 1:30 p.m. show, 6:30 p.m. dinner, 7:30 p.m. show Saturdays, through Dec. 29, Pines Dinner Theatre, Christ Lutheran Church, 1245 Hamilton St., Allentown. 610-433-2333, https://www.pinesdinnertheatre.com/

“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.