Summer Theatre 2015 - Berkshire Theatre Festival

In this snowy winter of ice dams and where to put the ever-increasing amounts of snow, let us look forward to the summer, when in one of the greatest of New England traditions, means summer theatre:

 Today, a look at the 2015 summer roster of the Berkshire Theatre Festival in Stockbridge and Pittsfield, Massachusetts:

 

Bells Are Ringing

book and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green
music by Jule Styne
entire original production directed by Jerome Robbins
dance and musical numbers of original production staged by Jerome Robbins and Bob Fosse, produced on the Broadway Stage by The Theatre Guild


directed by Ethan Heard
featuring Kate Baldwin and Graham Rowat

at The Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield Thursday, July 9-Sunday, July 26


Telephone service operator, Ella Peterson, played by Tony Award-nominated Kate Baldwin (A Little Night Music, Finian's Rainbow) is not your typical phone operator. Using a variety of comical personae's, Ella meddles with her clients' lives as she takes and delivers their phone messages. Ella's busybody ways trigger trouble when she falls for one of her customers, Jeff Moss, played by Kate Baldwin's real life husband, Broadway and television actor, Graham Rowat (A Little Night Music). A hilarious mesh of mistaken identity and mishaps follow in this delightful musical directed by BTG Alum, Ethan Heard  (A Little Night Music, Cat and The Canary). Bells Are Ringing is an irresistibly charming musical, bursting with breathtaking dance numbers.

 

DEATH TRAP

by Ira Levin, directed by Aaron Mark

at The Fitzpatrick Main Stage, Stockbridge, Wednesday, July 1-Saturday, July 25
Recognized as the longest-running comedy thriller on Broadway, Deathtrap is a sidesplitting romp of a play within a play. Aaron Mark, who brilliantly directed The Mystery of Irma Vep last year, directs Ira Levin's treasured Tony Award-nominated play. This witty thriller tells the tale of defeated playwright, Sidney Bruhl, who would do almost anything to write a hit Broadway play. Former student, Clifford Anderson, tells Sidney that he's written a suspense play with a seamless plot that's sure to be Broadway-bound.  When Sidney lures Clifford into his colonial style home, adorned with eclectic antique weaponry, both men's motives become unclear as unforeseen happenings unfold. Jaw-dropping hilarity ensues as the zany characters weave a web of mystery in two acts.

Frankie and Johnnie in the Clair de Lune

by Terrence McNally, directed by Karen Allen

at The Fitzpatrick Main Stage, Stockbridge, Wednesday, July 29-Saturday, August 22
The bewildering journey of finding love in the modern world sets the premise for Terrence McNally's (Master Class, Love! Valour! Compassion!) bittersweet comedy, Frankie And Johnny In the Clair de Lune. After a one-night rendezvous in Manhattan's West Side, Johnny, a compulsive, starry-eyed, short-order cook, is convinced he has found his life companion in Frankie, a wisecracking waitress. Frankie's poor history with men leaves her hesitant to commit, but as the night progresses, she lets her guard down and an unlikely romance begins to blossom. This contemporary love story will be directed by beloved BTG Alum, Karen Allen (Moonchildren, Extremities).


 

Disney and Camera McIntosh’s

Mary Poppins 

a musical based on the stories of PL Travers and the Walt Disney film

 Directed by Travis G. Daly
at The Colonial Theatre, Pittsfield
Thursday, August 13-Sunday, August 23

There is magic stirring in London, England at No. 17 Cherry Tree Lane, home to the troubled Banks family. George and Winnifred Banks are frustrated and fed-up with their misbehaving children, Jane and Michael, who once again sent a nanny running out the door. The seemingly endless search for a suitable caretaker comes to a halt when a nanny by the name of Mary Poppins appears at their door. Through whimsical lessons and unforgettable adventures, Mary Poppins shows Jane and Michael the magic of everyday life. Bert, an elusive renaissance gent, narrates this timeless tale that captivates audiences with its alluring story, beautiful dance numbers and unforgettable songs including,
"Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” "A Spoonful Of Sugar,” and many more!

Call now to purchase tickets and/or passes:

(413)-997-4444
or visit www.berkshiretheatregroup.org