Photo Coverage: Jay Armstrong Johnson Headlines Barrington Stage Gala

A historic 1904 building was transformed into an elegant space by the Gala's producers, and for you theatre folks used to those exciting NYC Actors Fund Events think Barrington Stage Gala 2017 in Pittsfield MA.

Appropriately headlined "Bringin' it Home" the evening featured a Broadway favorite Jay Armstrong Johnson who starred in BSC's Pool Boy in 2010 and On The Town in 2013 which went on to Broadway. The Gala honored Bernie and Jessie Wolfson whose generosity have provided BSC with a building (Wolfson Center) that houses it's administrative, production and rehearsal spaces located in the heart of Pittsfield and is nearby to the Boyd-Quinson Mainstage and St. Germain 2nd Stage. Pittsfield is looking a lot like Shubert Alley and coincidently Barrington Stage Co. is the recipient of a substantial grant from the Shubert Organization for it's 2017 season. BSC's artistic director and founder Julianne Boyd stated, "We are thrilled to receive a Shubert Foundation grant once again this year;" said "It is an honor to be recognized by one of the greatest theatre granting foundations in the country."

The evening started off on Barrington's Mainstage with a performance by Jay Armstrong Johnson, who lately has been busy as the genius computer hacker Dr. Will Olsen on the ABC series Quatico, In addition to On The Town, Jay was seen on Broadway in Hands on a Hardbody, Catch Me If You Can, and Hair. His New York Off Broadway credits include, Candide (NYCO), Sweeney Todd ( New York Philharmonic), The Most Happy Fella (Encores), and many others. Jay brought along "some friends" who joined him for his show......Stephanie Umoh & Meghan Picerno.

The Gala was a Pittsfield happening and the cast of BSC's current Mainstage production Ragtime were on hand to add excitement to the evening. Could you ever ask for a more glamorous speaker than Elizabeth Stanley and aclaimed playwright Mark St. Germain addressing the Gala audience.

BSC's 2017 Gala was sponsored by Esta & Kenneth Friedman. Gala Chair is Debra Miersma and Reba Evenchik and Laurie Schwartz were Gala Co-Chairs.

All proceeds from the annual BSC Gala support BSC's educational programs and the commissioning of new plays and musicals and $100,000 was raised at the silent auction last night.

New York City will experience a BSC Event when The Friars Club is the scene of their Benefit on Novmember 13th 2017

Copy & Photo by: Stephen Sorokoff