Lewis Black, Susie Essman Stand-Up Acts & Dustin Lance Black's '8' Among Williamstown Theatre Festival's One-Night-Only Events, Beg. 7/9

Williamstown Theatre Festival Artistic Director Jenny Gersten has announced a series of special events that will enhance the previously announced 2012 summer season. Additions to the Festival's 58th season include one-night-only stand-up comedy performances from Lewis Black tonight, July 9th and Susie Essman (who will also appear in the Nikos Stage production of Last of the Red Hot Lovers) on July 23rd. Also added to the schedule is a reading of Dustin Lance Black's political docudrama 8, presented in partnership with Broadway Impact as a benefit for the American Foundation for Equal Rights. The Festival's popular Late-Night Cabaret Series returns, featuring Festival stars in rarely seen performances.

SPECIAL NIGHTS OF COMEDY
Monday, July 9th and July 23rd at 7:30 PM on the Main Stage

On Monday, July 9th at 7:30 PM, Grammy Award-winning comedian and WTF veteran Lewis Black will perform an evening of stand-up, The Importance of Being Lewis, to present his unique – and frequently apoplectic – views on life in the 21st Century. Tickets begin at $40, with a limited number of $100 tickets on-sale, which include a private post-performance reception with Lewis and other Festival artists. All proceeds from this performance will support WTF's signature training programs.

TV favorite Susie Essman ("Curb Your Enthusiasm"), who will have just finished her run in the Nikos Stage production of Last of the Red Hot Lovers, will take the stage for one night only on Monday, July 23 at 7:30 PM for Susie With An Ess. A twenty-five-year veteran of the New York comedy scene, who the Los Angeles Times once called "The most lyrical purveyor of profanity on television," Susie may be the only woman who can make Lewis Black blush. Best known for her eight-season run as Susie Green on the wildly popular HBO series, "Curb Your Enthusiasm," her memoir, What Would Susie Say?, was published last fall by Simon & Schuster. This summer, in a benefit stand-up appearance, she'll share her uniquely salty thoughts on her life... and, spontaneously, on yours. Tickets are $30 - $60.

ONE-NIGHT-ONLY BENEFIT READING OF 8
Monday, August 6th at 7:30 PM on the Main Stage

The Williamstown Theatre Festival proudly partners with Broadway Impact to present a one-night- only reading of 8 by Dustin Lance Black, the Academy Award-winning writer of Milk and J. Edgar. This unprecedented documentary play chronicles the federal legal challenge to overturn California's Proposition 8, which banned the freedom to marry for gay and lesbian couples and cast a glaring light on one of the most contentious social issues of our time. Featuring WTF cast members and very special guests, this exclusive event is a benefit for the American Foundation for Equal Rights. Tickets are $40 - $80.

LATE-NIGHT CABARET SERIES
July 12 – 14, July 26 – 28, August 9 – 11 at 10:30 PM at Goodrich Hall

WTF's celebrated Late-Night Cabaret Series returns as the stars come out at night! Festival family, both established and emerging, sing, dance, and surprise you in these intimate and unforgettable evenings. Cabarets are held in Goodrich Hall, just a few blocks from the Main and Nikos Stages. Catch Late-Night Cabaret performances July 12 – 14 at 10:30 PM, hosted by Lewis Black; July 26 – 28, hosted by Christine Pedi, and August 9 – 11 at 10:30 PM, hosted by Lewis Black. Tickets for all shows are $25 and WTF donors receive first access to these limited seating events.

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As previously announced, the complete 2012 Williamstown Theatre Festival season runs from June 26 – August 19, 2012 and includes Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, a preview production of the new musical Far From Heaven, and a new translation of Ivan Turgenev's A Month in the Country on the Main Stage, with Lucy Boyle's The Blue Deep, Neil Simon's Last of the Red Hot Lovers, Bernard  Pomerance's The Elephant Man, and Katori Hall's WHADDABLOODCLOT!!! on the Nikos Stage. The season will also include a special workshop production of David Byrne's Here Lies Love, which will play at nearby MASS MoCA June 21 - June 24.

The Williamstown Theatre Festival Box Office will open on June 5th, 2012 at which point tickets may be purchased online, by phone at 413-597-3400, or in person at the '62 Center for Theatre and Dance Box Office at 1000 Main St (Route 2), Williamstown, MA 02167.

The Williamstown Theatre Festival Box Office opens today, June 5th, 2012, at which point tickets may be purchased online, by phone at 413-597-3400, or in person at the '62 Center for Theatre and Dance Box Office at 1000 Main St (Route 2), Williamstown, MA 02167. From June 5 – 25, the box office will be open Tuesday – Saturday from 10 AM – 5 PM & Sunday from 11 AM – 4 PM. From June 26 – August 19, the box office will be open from 10 AM – 8 PM & Sunday from 11 AM – 4 PM. (Closed Mondays.)

Since 1955, the Williamstown Theatre Festival has brought America's finest actors, directors, designers, and playwrights to the Berkshires, engaging a loyal audience of both residents and summer visitors. Each WTF season is designed to present unique opportunities for artists and audience alike, revisiting classic plays with innovative productions, developing and nurturing bold new plays and musicals, and offering a rich array of accompanying cultural events including Free Theatre, Late-Night Cabarets, readings, workshops, and educational programs. While best known for our acclaimed productions, WTF is also home to one of the nation's top training and professional development programs for new generations of aspiring theatre artists and administrators. Now under the leadership of Artistic Director Jenny Gersten, WTF was honored with the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre in 2002 and The Commonwealth Award for Achievement in 2011. The Festival takes place on the idyllic New England campus of Williams College.

Photo credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

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