THE MUSIC MAN, Featuring Over 100 Berkshire Youth, Begins Next Month at The Colonial Theatre

Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG) presents the Tony Award-winning The Music Man, directed by Travis G. Daly (BTG: Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, Seussical), with music direction by Mark Gionfriddo (BTG: Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, Seussical), and choreography by Avital Asuleen (The Queen Bees, The Rat Pack Undead), featuring over 100 talented Berkshire youth. The Music Man runs from July 6 through August 6 at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, MA.

The Music Man is about a con-man who ultimately does good by a community. "Professor" Harold Hill's heart opens up through the course of one of America's most beloved musicals. In the magical number "Till There Was You," we all recognize that the power of love is greater than all else, and change is always possible. In fact, Harold Hill and the children of River City, Iowa, remind us that the ordinary can indeed be changed to the extraordinary.

Sound the Seventy-Six Trombones, the Tony Award-winning musical, The Music Man comes to The Colonial Theatre! Directed by Travis G. Daly (BTG: Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, Seussical), with music direction by Mark Gionfriddo (BTG: Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, Seussical), and choreography by Avital Asuleen (The Queen Bees, The Rat Pack Undead), this beloved musical features over 100 talented Berkshire youth, as well as Rylan Morsbach (BTG: Mary Poppins, The Homecoming), who was recently hailed as "terrific" by The New York Times in BTG's Off-Broadway transfer of Fiorello!. With eccentric characters and a warm, optimistic story, this charming musical is filled with memorable tunes such as, "Ya Got Trouble," "Gary, Indiana," and more.

Director Travis G. Daly says, "The Music Man is a musical love letter. An uplifting history lesson with great ideals, this production shows how infectious the power of love is. Harold has a metamorphosis throughout the play, and as he begins to grow, he inspires this entire community, bringing them together to be a part of something bigger than themselves."

This year, Berkshire Theatre Group is partnering with Patrick's Pub in Pittsfield, and offering sandwiches, salads and wraps at The Garage in The Colonial Theatre lobby. Come early, and enjoy a bite before the show!

Berkshire Theatre Group is happy to announce new Summer Thursday Barbecues, including The Music Man All-American Barbecue on July 20th. The barbecue dinner will take place prior to performance, and will be available to anyone who purchases the dinner ticket with their performance ticket. Dinners will hold a $50 cost for adults and $30 cost for children in addition to the performance ticket. All proceeds will benefit BTG PLAYS!, Berkshire Theatre Group's year-round education program.

Tickets may be purchased in person at the Colonial Ticket Office at 111 South Street, Pittsfield; at the Fitzpatrick Main Stage Ticket Office at 83 East Main Street, Stockbridge; by calling (413) 997-4444 or online at www.BerkshireTheatreGroup.org. Ticket Offices are open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 10am-2pm or on any performance day from 10am until curtain. All plays, schedules, casting and prices are subject to change.

BTG's production of The Music Man is dedicated to the late Gabrielle Corbett. Gabrielle, 11 years-old, had one primary dream in life, to become an actress. She participated in Berkshire Theatre Group's after-school program in a production of Greek Myths, and got the bug. From that point forward, she signed up for every opportunity she could, including more after-school programs, the annual church nativity play, BTG summer camp, and most notably, the summer productions of Mary Poppins and Beauty and The Beast. She loved the process and the people she worked with, making many friends along the way and looking up to the stage veterans as examples of who she wanted to become. While she left this earth too soon, she will be remembered for her big smile, bubbly personality and kind heart. Last summer, she was featured on the front page of The Berkshire Eagle in an article touting the future of The Colonial Theatre.

IF YOU GO:

The Music Man
book, music and lyrics by Meredith Willson
story by Meredith Willson and and Franklin Lacey
directed by Travis G. Daly
music direction by Mark Gionfriddo
choreography by Avital Asuleen

at The Colonial Theatre
BTG's Pittsfield Campus, 111 South Street

Previews: Thursday, July 6 through Friday, July 7
Opening Night: Saturday, July 8 at 7pm
Closing: Sunday, August 6 at 2pm
Barbecue Fundraiser: Thursday, June 20th prior to 7pm performance
Special Note: There is no press night for The Music Man
Tickets: Adult A: $42; Adult B: $32 • Child A: $27; Child B: $22
Golden Circle Tickets: Adult: $52 • Child: $37
Sponsored by: Greylock Federal Credit Union, Greylock Insurance Company, The Shubert Foundation, Lyon Aviation, Dr. Richard Ziter, Phyllis Parvin and The Berkshire Eagle

The Colonial Theatre, founded in 1903, and Berkshire Theatre Festival, founded in 1928, are two of the oldest cultural organizations in the Berkshires. In 2010, under the leadership of Artistic Director and CEO Kate Maguire, the two organizations merged to form Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG). Berkshire Theatre Group's mission is to support wide ranging artistic exploration and acclaimed performances in theatre, dance, music and entertainment. Every year, BTG produces and presents performances to over 68,000 attendees and, through our Educational Program, serves over 13,000 Berkshire County schoolchildren annually. BTG's celebrated stages reflect the history of the American theatre; they represent a priceless cultural resource for the community.

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