Casting Set for Calvin Berger; Begins at BSC June 26

Barrington Stage Company's Musical Theatre Lab, under the mentorship of Tony Award-winning composer/lyricist William Finn, launches its second season of musicals and workshop productions with Calvin Berger, winner of the 2007 Jerry Bock and Richard Rodgers Award.  Featuring book, music and lyrics by Barry Wyner and directed and choreographed by Stephen Terrell, Calvin Berger performs June 26 through July 14, at BSC's Stage II space, The Berkshire Athenaeum, 1 Wendell Avenue in Pittsfield.
 
"What if Cyrano de Bergerac's swashbuckling adventures took place not in seventeenth century France but in your average American high school?  Anyone who has ever felt self-conscious will relate to this modern-day Cyrano -- young comic-neurotic Calvin Berger. Too insecure about the size of his nose to ask out the girl of his dreams, Calvin communicates with her through the handsome new kid in school. The result is a hip, heartfelt musical comedy that is certain to delight audiences of all ages," state press notes. 

Calvin Berger features David Perlman (European Hair tour) as Calvin, Elizabeth Lundberg (Ragtime on Broadway, Les Miserables national tour) as Rosanna, Aaron Tveit (Hairspray on Broadway and on tour, Rent tour) as Matt, and Gillian Goldberg as Chet.  The production is designed by Brian Prather, with costumes by Amela Baksic and lighting by Scott Pinkney.  Justin Paul is musical director.
 
Following Calvin Berger, this year's Musical Theatre Lab lineup includes Funked Up Fairy Tales (July 31 through August 11) from Obie Award-winner Kirsten Childs, author of The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin and directed by Altar Boyz co-creator Kevin Del Aguila; and The Mysteries of Harris Burdick (August 21 through September 1), a new musical by the creators of last season's premiere, The Burnt Part Boys, based on Chris Van Allsburg's (Jumanji and The Polar Express) children's book.
 
Wyner received the Jerry Bock Award, the Richard Rodgers Award, and an IRNE nomination for best new play for Calvin Berger, which premiered last summer at Gloucester Stage. Other original musicals include: Sugar Plum (Company Carolina), Something To Say (Manhattan Theater Club) and Stop! (Access Theater). He composed music for a Terrence McNally world premiere, several Israel Horovitz world premieres, a BBC Radio play (starring Jill Clayburgh), Boston Theater Marathon, The Actor's Studio, Wings Theater, Access Theater, AMDA, 78th Street Theater Lab, and more. He was the original arranger and music director of Gutenberg! The Musical! at UCB Theatre.
 
Barrington Stage Company is a professional award-winning Equity theatre, located in the heart of the Berkshires, in Pittsfield, MA.

Please note that there is a new performance schedule for Barrington Stage Company's Musical Theatre Lab: Tuesday through Friday evening at 7:30pm, Saturday at 4 and 8pm, at The Berkshire Athenaeum, 1 Wendell Avenue in Pittsfield.  Tickets are $25-$30 and are on sale now.  For information on a Musical Theater Lab pass, call 413-236-8888, from South County call 413-528-8888 or online at www.barringtonstageco.org.

Photo by Charlie Siedenburg - Top left to right - Michael Perreca (Other Stages Producer), Justin Paul (Musical Director) and Stephen Terrell (Director and Choreographer); Bottom row l-r: The Cast of Calvin Berger - Aaron Tveit, Elizabeth Lundberg, David Perlman and Gillian Goldberg