Isn’t it wonderful that Valentine’s Day comes in one of the coldest months of the year? It’s ever so much easier to “cozy up” to the one you love when it’s cold outside!

Phoenix Readers, a readers theater group created in 2015 by Dr. Jim Epperson, offers a 30-minute program just right for the season. “Love Is In The Air” is a program of spoken love song lyrics, 30 minutes long, “family friendly” but more directed to adults, that is offered free to school groups, churches, retirement centers, organizations, libraries and festivals.

The show begins with Paul McCartney begging the question: “You’d think that people would have had enough of silly love songs.” The Eagles, Nat King Cole, Tammy Wynette and 16 other songwriters prove it isn’t so.

Twelve actors make up two casts of six actors each: Mark Curran, Becky Porter, Anne Wilson, Trent Wilson, Randy Overcash, Donna Prunkl, Gretchen Tracy, Duane Galloway, Chip Carter, Beth Cook, Lori Van Wallendael and Shawn Van Wallendael. Linda Jones, Buddy Farnan and Ray Davies act as understudies, and Ray Davies conceived and directs the show.

Readers Theatre is often called “theatre of the mind” for the audiences see the dramatic action in their minds. The name, Phoenix Readers, is borrowed from the mythological Greek bird who rose up out of the ashes, for like the phoenix, these talented and experienced actors are all seniors. In addition to this holiday program, their repertoire includes programs built around specific themes, such as “Southern Folk Tales,” “Oh, The Wonderful World of Dr. Seuss,” “A Patriot’s Songbook” (patriot songs), as well as programs featuring poetry of specific poets.

To arrange for a performance, contact Linda Jones at 704-212-2164 or ljheidi600@gmail.com.