Christine Lahti, Treat Williams and More Set for Berkshire Theatre Group's 85th Season; Full Cast Announced!

Berkshire Theatre Group and Artistic Director/CEO Kate Maguire have announced the complete casting for Berkshire Theatre Group's 85^th summer season.

This summer Christine Lahti and Treat Williams will appear as the King and Queen in The Lion in Winter, Rebecca Brooksher and Holt McCallany will appear as the romantic leads in Anna Christie, Yale MFA students will create a new interpretation of the mystery The Cat and the Canary, and many alums will join new friends at Berkshire Theatre Group to complete the casts of its 85^th Summer Season.

The Lion in Winter
by James Goldman
directed by Robert Moss (BTG: A Class Act)

at The Fitzpatrick Main Stage
Previews June 25-June 28
Opens June 29 8pm; Closes July 13
Tickets: Preview: $38;
A: $58 B: $48 C: $38
Sponsored by Stuart M. Fischman Esq. in Loving Memory of my Parents Louis and Edith Fischman A"H

An epic and humorous tale of political strategy and family dynamics, The Lion In Winter, set during Christmas 1183, tells the story of King Henry II, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, and their sons, Richard, Geoffrey and John as they play a deadly game of real life chess; winner takes the throne. Who will come out on top as the ruler of England and the ruler of the family? The Lion in Winter proves just how absurd and lethal family rivalries can be.

The Lion in Winter Cast:
Alais: Tara Franklin (BTG: Brace Yourself, Birthday Boy, The Guardsman, Ghosts, A Man For All Seasons, Educating Rita)
Richard: Aaron Costa Ganis (BTG: Moonchidren, Macbeth, Amadeus, The Night of the Iguana)
John: Karl Gregory (Fault Line Theatre: From White Plains, FROGS)
Eleanor: Christine Lahti (TV: Hawaii Five-0, Chicago Hope. Broadway/Off Broadway Theatre: 8, God of Carnage, Three Hotels (Drama Desk nomination), The Heidi Chronicles, Little Murders (Obie Award))
Geoffrey: Tommy Schrider (BTG: Macbeth, The Einstein Project, The Caretaker, A Man for All Seasons, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Lincoln Center Theater: War Horse)
Philip: Matthew Stucky (New York: An Error of The Moon)
Henry: Treat Williams (Film: Hair. TV: Everwood, White Collar, Hawaii 5­0, Chicago Fire)

Oklahoma!
music by Richard Rodgers
book & lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
based on the play "Green Grow the Lilacs" by Lynn Riggs
original dances by Agnes De Mille
directed by Eric Hill (BTG: A Chorus Line, The Who's Tommy)
choreographed by Gerry McIntyre (BTG: A Chorus Line, The Who's Tommy)
music direction by Steven Freeman (BTG: A Chorus Line)

at The Colonial Theatre
Previews July 1-July 5
Opens July 6 8pm; Closes July 20
Tickets: Preview: $40, Preview Child (16 and under): $35;
A: $65, A Child (16 and under): $35, B: $50, B Child (16 and under): $30, C: $25
Sponsored by Bobbie Hallig, "a gal who cain't say no," Greylock Federal Credit Union and WMHT

Set in the heart of America, where the corn is as high as an elephant's eye, comes Oklahoma!, one of Rodger's and Hammerstein's most cherished musicals. Follow the beloved story of Laurey Williams and her suitors, Curly McLain and Jud Fry; as well as spitfire, Ado Annie and her patient beau, Will Parker. Featuring timeless songs such as "Oh What a Beautiful Mornin,'" "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top," "I Cain't Say No," "People Will Say We're in Love," and of course "Oklahoma!," this landmark, Pulitzer Prize winning musical will have you saying, "Oklahoma O.K.!"

Oklahoma! Cast:
Ensemble: Rachel Abbate
Ensemble: Hallie Brevetti (2011 BTG Apprentice)
Ensemble: Jessica Dillan
Ike Skidmore: Rory Donovan (BTG: Finian's Rainbow)
Jud Fry: Austin Durant (BTG: The Pilgrim Papers, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, The Illusion. Lincoln Center Theater: War Horse)
Curly: Jarid Faubel (Riverside Theatre: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum)
Will Parker: Matt Gibson (Broadway: Gypsy)
Ensemble: Tamrin Goldberg
Ado Annie Carnes: Chaston Harmon (Tour: LES MISERABLES)
Andrew Carnes: Walter Hudson (BTG: Sylvia, Macbeth. The Public Theater: The Pirates of Penzance)
"Laurey" in Dream Ballet: Jennifer Jong
Gertie Cummings: Julianne Katz (BTG: A Chorus Line)
Slim: Ryan Koss
Ensemble: Jonah Kramer (2012 BTG Apprentice)
Cord Elam: Jeff Kuhr
Ensemble: Adam Lendermon
Ensemble: Micha Nameroff
Laurey: Diane Phelan (Broadway/Off Broadway: Bernarda Alba, Honor. Papermill Playhouse: Cinderella)
"Curley" in Dream Ballet: Aaron Lloyd Pomeroy
Ali Hakim: Lee Zarret (Broadway: Hair, Jane Eyre)
Aunt Eller: Kristine Zbornik (Broadway: 9 to 5: The Musical, A Catered Affair)

Extremities
by William Mastrosimone
directed by Karen Allen (BTG: Moonchildren)

at The Unicorn Theatre
Previews July 11-July 12
Opens July 13 8pm; Closes July 27
Tickets: Preview: $35;
A: $45
Sponsored by Howard and Natalie Shawn

In William Mastrosimone's psychological thriller, a young woman is violently attacked in her own home. However, once the tables turn, Extremities raises provocative and difficult questions about rape and its aftermath, violence and its justification, justice and its reliability. Who will be held responsible in this riveting game of cat and mouse? Directed by original cast member, Karen Allen.

Extremities Cast:
Marjorie: Molly Camp (MTC: Close Up Space. The Public Theater: Jesus Moonwalks the Mississippi)

Terry: Kelly McCreary (Broadway: Passing Strange)
Raul: James McMenamin (Second Stage: The Bad Guys. Roundabout Theatre Company: Suicide, Incorporated)

Patricia: Miriam Silverman (BTG: Moonchildren)

Same Time, Next Year
by Bernard Slade
directed by Kyle Fabel (BTG: Homestead Crossing, A Thousand Clowns)

at The Fitzpatrick Main Stage
Previews July 23-July 24
Opens July 25 8pm; Closes August 10
Tickets: Preview: $38;
A: $58 B: $48 C: $38

George and Doris are married, but not to each other. After a passionate chance meeting, the two decide to meet once a year to rekindle their relationship. Encompassing twenty five years of reunions, manners and morals, Tony Nominated and Drama Desk Winning, Same Time, Next Year is a hilarious and touching look at unconventional love and changing times.

Same Time, Next Year Cast:
George: David Adkins (BTG: Homestead Crossing, Sylvia, Faith Healer)
Doris: Corinna May (BTG: Homestead Crossing, Two-Headed)

The Cat and the Canary
by John Willard
directed by Ethan Heard (Yale School of Drama: Sunday in the Park with George)

at The Unicorn Theatre
Previews July 31-August 2
Opens August 3 8pm; Closes August 24
Tickets: Preview: $35;
A: $45
Sponsored by Stuart M. Fischman Esq. in Loving Memory of my Parents Louis and Edith Fischman A"H

As the clock strikes midnight, the relatives of Cyrus West assemble at his mansion to read his will twenty years after his death. In an unexpected twist of fate, young Annabelle is named heir to Cyrus' large fortune, under one condition: that she is deemed legally sane. When the group finds out that a lunatic has escaped from the nearby asylum, inexplicable things begin to happen and Annabelle begins to fear for her sanity and for her life. A suspenseful and delightful "who-dunnit," this mystery will transform the Unicorn and have audiences on the edge of their seats and begging for more.

The Cat and the Canary Cast:
Cicily Young: Willa Fitzgerald
Roger Crosby: Chris Geary
Annabelle West: Ashton Heyl
Harry Blythe: Matthew McCollum
Paul Jones: Tom Pecinka
Hendricks: Will Turner
Mrs. Underwood: Ariana Venturi
Susan Sillsby: Sophie von Haselberg
Charlie Wilder: Jonathan A. Young

Anna Christie
by Eugene O'Neill
directed by David Auburn (BTG: Sick, Period of Adjustment. Playwright: Proof)

at The Fitzpatrick Main Stage
Previews August 20-August 23
Opens August 24 8pm; Closes August 31
Tickets: Preview: $38;
A: $58 B: $48 C: $38

Eugene O'Neill's masterpiece tells the story of Anna Christie, a young woman abandoned by her father and forced into a life of hardship. When the two are finally reunited, Anna must learn to forgive her father's past transgressions. However, after Anna falls in love with a sailor, certain secrets come to light, and the love of father and daughter is truly tested. Anna Christie is a beautiful and poignant tale of love and forgiveness. Directed by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner, David Auburn.

Anna Christie Cast:
Anna Christopherson: Rebecca Brooksher (BTG: Period of Adjustment, Sick. Lincoln Center Theater: Dying City)
Marthy Owen: Alison Fraser (Broadway: Gypsy, Romance/Romance, The Secret Garden)
Chris Christopherson: Jonathan Hogan (Circle Repertory Company: Hot L. Baltimore, Fifth of July, Balm in Gilead, Burn This, As Is)
Mat Burke: Holt McCallany (Film: Fight Club, Three Kings, Men of Honor. TV: Lights Out)
Larry: Walton Wilson (Head of Voice and Speech and Associate Chair of the Acting Department at the Yale School of Drama)

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-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturdays 10am-2pm or on any performance day from 10am until curtain. All plays, schedules, casting and prices are subject to change.

For more information about Berkshire Theatre Group and our upcoming season, visit the website at www.BerkshireTheatreGroup.org.

The Colonial Theatre, founded in 1903, and Berkshire Theatre Festival, founded in 1928, are two of the oldest cultural organizations in the Berkshires. Having united in November of 2010 under the leadership of Artistic Director and CEO Kate Maguire, these two institutions are providing the Berkshires and beyond with the finest in live theatre, music, dance and the visual arts on five stages in Stockbridge, MA and Pittsfield, MA. The Fitzpatrick Main Stage (400 seats), cataloged by the National Register of Historic Places, was originally designed and built by Stanford White as the Stockbridge Casino in 1888. The intimate Unicorn Theatre (122 seats) is a home for emerging artists and new theatrical ideas. The Colonial in Pittsfield (780 seats) re-opened in August of 2006, following a $21 million restoration, and boasts pristine acoustics, classic gilded age architecture and state-of-the-art technical systems. BTG also performs at the outdoor Neil Ellenoff stage, located on the grounds of BTF in Stockbridge, and at The Garage, a music venue located in the lobby of The Colonial. BTG serves over 100,000 patrons per year and reaches over 17,000 students through its educational and outreach programs. For more information on BTF call (413) 298-5536 and on The Colonial call (413) 448-8084. To purchase tickets, call (413) 997-4444 or (413) 298-5576 or go online to www.BerkshireTheatreGroup.org.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride