Berkshire Theatre Coming Season - Stockbridge, Massachusetts

This week, a look at the coming season at the Berkshire Theatre Festival in Stockbridge, Massachusetts:

THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP: A PENNY DREADFUL by Charles Ludlam directed by Aaron Mark         featuring Bill Bowers and Tom Hewitt at The Fitzpatrick Main Stage, Stockbridge Previews June 24-June 27 Press Opening/Opening Night: June 28 Talk Back: June 30 Closing: July 19 Tickets: Preview: $42 A: $62 B: $52 C: $42   Two actors take on eight characters in this classic romp of a gothic spoof. Named one of the best plays of the 20th Century by the New York Times and Time Magazine, Aaron Mark directs Charles Ludlam's campy comedy which tells the pell-mell tale of Lady Enid and Lord Edgar who arrive one stormy night at a haunted and dreary estate to investigate the sudden disappearance of Irma Vep. Sidesplitting antics and mysteries unfold as the two journey from the London manor to the ancient pyramids in Egypt with vampires, werewolves, mummies and more in tow in this satire of Victorian melodrama, Gothic horror and classic films.   A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim book by Hugh Wheeler orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick suggested by a film by Ingmar Bergman originally produced and directed on Broadway by Harold Prince directed by Ethan Heard music direction by Nathan Dame choreography by Sam Pinkleton featuring Kate Baldwin, Gregg Edelman, Penny Fuller, Maureen O'Flynn, and Graham Rowat at The Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield Previews June 30-July 4 Press Opening/Opening Night: July 5 at 8pm Talk Back: July 7 Closing: July 19 Tickets: Preview: $50 Tickets: A: $65 B: $45 C: $25 Sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union Stephen Sondheim beloved and award-winning musical, A Little Night Music explores the witty and farcical tale of unexpected liaisons, relentless desire, and ill-fated heartbreak in the life of acclaimed actress, Desiree Armfeldt. One eventful weekend, Desiree, her former beau and his wife, and Desiree's current lover and his wife all arrive at a Swedish country estate. Long-held passions are soon rekindled in this classic waltz of a musical directed by Ethan Heard (who also directed BTG's 2013 hit murder mystery, The Cat and The Canary). Featuring Sondheim's notable show tune, "Send in the Clowns,” A Little Night Music celebrates love and all the foolhardy particulars it entails.    BENEFACTORS by Michael Frayn directed by Eric Hill featuring David Adkins, Corinna May, Barbara Sims, and Walton Wilson  at The Unicorn Theatre, Stockbridge The Larry Vaber Stage Previews July 9-July 11 Press Opening/Opening Night: July 12 at 8pm Talk Back: July 14 Closing: July 26 Tickets: Preview: $42; A: $48 Directed by Eric Hill, the acrimonious give and take of life sets up the premise for Michael Frayn's (Noises Off and Copenhagen) Tony Award-nominated Benefactors. In 1960s London, visionary architect David struggles to follow his dream of transforming the slums at Basuto Road into affordable mass-housing projects as his firm pressures him to design McMansion-style apartments instead. He and his wife, Jane are also trying to salvage the troubled marriage of their neighbors Colin a former journalist and Shelia, a hopeless romantic and retired nurse. Skillfully examining the fragility of human relationships, Benefactors sketches an intricate portrait of 1960s idealism and the toll political and psychological sacrifice has on hope, friendship, and love.    CEDARS by Erik Tarloff directed by Keira Naughton featuring James Naughton WORLD PREMIERE at The Fitzpatrick Main Stage, Stockbridge Previews July 23-July 25 Press Opening/Opening Night: July 26 at 8pm Talk Back: July 28 Closing: August 9 Tickets: Preview: $42 A: $62 B: $52 C: $42 Sponsored by Natalie and Howard Shawn Keira Naughton directs the world premiere of  a one-man play, Cedars, a raw and witty exploration of an estranged father-son relationship. Gabe, a 50-ish defense lawyer, finds himself on the more unfortunate side of life and now, by his father's bedside at Cedars Hospital. His many troubles, some self-induced and others thrust upon him, are quickly revealed as he bares all in unbridled, cathartic conversations with his non-responsive father. A broken marriage, past heartbreak, a dwindling career, family struggles, new relationships, and a slew of mid-life crises take center stage as Gabe tries to find solid ground amid the mess of his world. DESIGN FOR LIVING by Nöel Coward directed by Tom Story featuring Christopher Geary, Tom Pecinka, and Ariana Venturi at The Unicorn Theatre, Stockbridge The Larry Vaber Stage Previews July 30-August 1 Press Opening/Opening Night: August 2 at 8pm Talk Back: August 4 Closing: August 16 Tickets: Preview: $42 A: $48 Lovers and friends, friends and lovers, what's the difference when it comes to interior designer Gilda, playwright Leo, and artist Otto? That's the same question they ask themselves in Nöel Coward's ultra-sophisticated romantic comedy. Design for Living, directed by Tom Story who began his acting career on BTF's Unicorn Stage, now makes his directorial debut on the same stage. Set in the carefree 1930s, the freewheeling, amoral, modish trio of characters all fall in and out of love with each other and with others while their mutual friend, Ernest tries to be the moral voice of reason. Themes of self-destruction, celebrity, success and outcomes of romantic machinations are explored through this wicked ménage à trois.     A HATFUL OF RAIN by Michael V. Gazzo directed by Greg Naughton at The Fitzpatrick Main Stage, Stockbridge Previews August 13-August 15 Press Night/Opening Night August 16 Talk Back: July 28 Closing: August 30 Tickets: Preview: $42; A: $62 B: $52 C: $42 The war fought abroad is just as devastating as the war fought within. This rings devastatingly true for Johnny Pope, a Korean War Veteran who has safely returned home to New York City and now struggles with drug addiction after being heavily medicated during his hospital stay. Greg Naughton, founded and served as Artistic Director of Off-Broadway's Blue Light Theater Company in NYC for six award-winning seasons. He is also James Naughton's son and is making his BTG directorial debut with A Hatful of Rain. He performed at The Colonial Theatre last year with his band, The Sweet Remains. In A Hatful of Rain, Johnny's battle strangles his daily life and slowly deteriorates the relationship between him and his family as he attempts to hide and support his habit. His brother, Polo tries to help but there's only so much he can do. His pregnant wife, Celia is convinced he's having an affair and tries to hold their faltering marriage together while their father's visit only adds to the tumultuous downturn of Johnny's life. Gazzo's raw, insightful and carefully crafted storytelling depict the demise of an embattled soul and raises social consciousness on issues regarding addiction and the cost of war for our veterans.   SEUSSICAL music by Stephen Flaherty lyrics by Lynn Ahrens book by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty co-conceived by Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty and Eric Idle based on the works of Dr. Seuss directed by Travis G. Daly music direction by Mark Gionfriddo choreography by Kathy Jo Grover 9th Annual Children's Theatre Production at The Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield Opens August 7; Closes August 17 Special Note: As a community production, there is no press night for Seussical Tickets: Adult A: $30, Child A: $20, Adult B: $25, Child B: $15 Sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union Seussical is an unforgettable tale of friendship, love, family, and community, The Cat in the Hat narrates a whimsical story of Horton the Elephant who must guard a lonely abandoned egg and protect the Whos from all danger! With flying stunts by the actors, unforgettably fun songs and dance, the musical dives into a fantastic and incredible crazy-quilt adventure exploring the wonderful power of imagination, determination and positive thinking!   A Lover's Tale: Scenes by Giuseppe Verdi, Charles Ludlam and Alexandre Dumas The Lady of the Camellias by Alexandre Dumas Camille by Charles Ludlam La Traviata by Giuseppe Verde directed by Dustin Wills operatic direction by Carlos Conde at The Unicorn Theatre, Stockbridge The Larry Vaber Stage Opens August 23; Closes August 30 Tickets: $30 For one week at The Unicorn Theatre, opera's rising stars perform scenes from the original title piece, Alexandre Dumas' novel The Lady of the Camellias, Giuseppe Verdi's opera La Traviata which was adapted by Dumas' novel, and Charles Ludlam's parody of the novel, Camille.

For more info, have a look at the Berkshire Theatre Group website here.