Berkshire Theatre Group Announces 90th Anniversary Season

Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG) and Kate Maguire (Artistic Director/CEO) are thrilled to announce Berkshire Theatre's 90th Anniversary Summer Season. In addition to a season cast announcement, an additional Unicorn Theatre production and BTG's No Boundaries in Art free staged reading series will be announced in the next several weeks.

According to Maguire, "For the past 90 years, Berkshire Theatre's iconic stages have been filled with legendary storytellers and artistic excellence. Our 2018 Season reflects our historic past which has always helped define our future, and speaks to our current world."

The Berkshire Playhouse, now known as The Fitzpatrick Main Stage, was founded when Mabel Choate sold the Stockbridge Casino to financier Walter Clark. Clark immediately contacted three friends-Daniel Chester French, Dr. Austen Riggs and Walter Prichard Eaton. With their help, the Three Arts Society was formed, and a check was written for the $20,000 needed to dismantle the casino, and haul it in pieces by horse-drawn wagon to the far eastern end of Main Street where it was re-positioned at the bottom of Yale Hill. The Three Arts Society remodeled the casino's interior by adding a stage and seating, and christened the new theatre the Berkshire Playhouse. With the talented young actor Alexander Kirkland as its Executive Producer and F. Cowles Strickland as its Director, the Playhouse opened on June 4, 1928 with The Cradle Song, starring Eva Le Gallienne. Years later, Le Gallienne's words of inspiration still provide guidance, "The theatre is a great force capable of spreading beauty and understanding."

Berkshire Theatre's 90 years of production history is a reflection of the growth and development of the American Theatre. In 2010, Berkshire Theatre Festival merged with The Colonial Theatre, combining two icons of the American Theatre and creating Berkshire Theatre Group.

Maguire continues, "We begin our 90th Fitzpatrick Main Stage Season by celebrating three of America's greatest songwriters, Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen and Jimmy Van Heusen, with the world premiere, Coming Back Like a Song! directed by Gregg Edelman.

Also on the Main Stage, the production that lifted Humphrey Bogart to stardom, the great playwright and friend of Stockbridge, Robert E. Sherwood's The Petrified Forest, directed by David Auburn."

"Berkshire Theatre continues to present emerging ideas and artists on The Unicorn Theatre stage with Jason Odell Williams' provocative and humorous Church & State, directed by Charlotte Cohn.

The Unicorn will 'Let the Sunshine in' with Tony Award-winning rock musical, Hair, directed by Daisy Walker," says Maguire, "All roads lead to a new age of Aquarius."

Maguire adds, "For this year's fall production, we present Nobel Prize-winner, Luigi Pirandello's Naked, a new version by Nicholas Wright and directed by Eric Hill. Naked presents a female struggling with identity and consequence of action in a male world."

Maguire continues, "The Colonial comes to life with celebrated musicals highlighting the talented youth in our community: an exciting spring addition, Disney's The Lion King, Jr; and this summer, Tarzan swings onto the stage featuring over 100 cast members. Both productions are directed by Travis Daly."

Additional highlights of the Berkshire Theatre's 90th Season include:

BTG's second annual High School Student Cabaret, directed by Travis Daly, will be held at The Unicorn Theatre, on Thursday, May 3 at 7pm. The High School Student Cabaret features students from all over the county performing songs, poetry, dance and more. BTG's fifth annual Encore! An Evening to Celebrate High School Musicals will be held at The Colonial Theatre on Friday, May 4 at 7pm, featuring ten-minute encore performances from this year's Berkshire County high school musicals. Ticket proceeds benefit BTG PLAYS!, Berkshire Theatre Group's year-round education program.

Running May 19, 20, 26 and 27 at The Unicorn Theatre, There Are Things I Didn't Tell You, written and performed by Berkshire native Mary Mott, and directed by Bob Moss.

Berkshire Theatre Group will hold a 90th Anniversary Gala at the Fitzpatrick Main Stage, celebrating 90 years of theatre in Stockbridge, on July 1 at 5pm. Festivities will include a cocktail reception, opening performance of the 2018 Main Stage season, Coming Back Like a Song! and Gala dinner, catered by Main Street Catering and Events. Tickets are on sale now, starting at $125. For more information, please visit www.berkshiretheatregroup.org or call 413.448.8084 x 50. Additional events surrounding the 90th Anniversary Season will be announced at a later time.

Summer season passes are available for purchase at $111 for a three-show pass, and $222 for a six-show pass.

Tickets for all of BTG's exciting 90th Anniversary Season productions will be on sale on Friday, February 16 at 10am. BTG continues its commitment to offering accessible theatre for everyone, with tickets starting as low as $15 for adults, and $10 for children 16 years or younger. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Colonial Ticket Office at 111 South Street, Pittsfield or by calling (413) 997-4444 or online at www.BerkshireTheatreGroup.org. The Ticket Office is open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sundays 10am-2pm or on any performance day from 10am until curtain. All plays, schedules, casting and prices are subject to change.

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