THE PUPPETMASTER OF LODZ Begins Previews at The Unicorn Theatre Tonight, 6/21

The Puppetmaster of Lodz by Gilles Ségal, translated by Sara O'Connor and directed by Brian Roff will begin Berkshire Theatre Group's Theatre Festival season at The Unicorn Theatre, 6 East St. in Stockbridge tonight June 21 with an official press opening on June 23.

The cast will include Joby Earle as Finkelbaum, Lee Sellars as Popov/Spencer/Weissfeld/Weissman and Julia Gibson as the Concierge; with set design by Jason Simms, costume design by Antonia Ford-Roberts, lighting design by Japhy Weideman and sound design by Scott Killian.

A Jewish man has escaped from one of the most notorious concentration camps in Germany only to be yet again imprisoned in an imaginary world. Herr Finkelbaum weaves a story of longing, while caring for his beloved puppets and clinging to a lost reality. Try as he might to create a world far from the tragedy of the camps-he and we are finally faced with the question: will this horrifying war ever end? The Puppetmaster of Lodz is a gripping story of memory and survival.

Joby Earle, who will be portraying the puppetmaster, was an original cast member of the New York production of War Horse, in which he helped bring to life Joey, the horse. Earle is a Yale School of Drama graduate and currently teaches at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. Lee Sellars, who will be appearing as multiple roles, has been seen in the Broadway revivals of Talk Radio and West Side Story. Julia Gibson, who will be portraying Finkelbaum's protector, has over 20 years experience as a professional actor and has performed on Broadway and in major theatres in New York City.

Tickets to The Puppetmaster of Lodz are $45. Tickets to preview performances of The Puppetmaster of Lodz may be purchased at the discounted price of $35. Tickets may be purchased at either the Colonial Ticket Office or the Stockbridge Campus ticket office, which opens for the summer on May 25, 2012. Contact the Stockbridge Campus Ticket Office at 83 East Main Street, Stockbridge by calling 413-298-5576. Contact the Colonial Ticket Office at 111 South Street, Pittsfield by calling 413-997-4444. Ticket purchases can also be made online at www.berkshiretheatregroup.org. The Ticket Offices are 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.