Ariel Bock News

Shakespeare & Company presents Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, written by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, and directed by longtime Company member and Producing Associate Ariel Bock. This funny, warm-hearted holiday story, will have a special limited run from December 15 - 17 in the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre.

Shakespeare & Company presents God of Carnage written by Yasmina Reza and translated by Christopher Hampton, directed by Regge Life. The play won a Tony Award for Best Play and an Olivier Award for Best Comedy, now this award-winning New York hit comes to the Berkshires. Written by the author of ART, God of Carnage runs from September 14 - October 8th in the Elayne P. Bernstein.

Shakespeare & Company celebrates their 40th Anniversary Season today, July 1st at the 40th Season Ruby Gala. The event will honor the Company's 40-year tradition of bringing world class theatrical productions to Berkshire audiences, while eagerly anticipating future seasons with Artistic Director Allyn Burrows and Managing Director Adam Davis.

Shakespeare & Company presents William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Jonathan Croy and Douglas Seldin, and performed outside at The Dell at The Mount. This magical favorite, presented by Shakespeare & Company's Northeast Regional Education Tour and Riotous Youth Faculty, runs from July 11 to August 19, 2017.

Shakespeare & Company celebrates their 40th Anniversary Season on Saturday, July 1st at the 40th Season Ruby Gala. The event will honor the Company's 40-year tradition of bringing world class theatrical productions to Berkshire audiences, while eagerly anticipating future seasons with Artistic Director Allyn Burrows and Managing Director Adam Davis.

The WAM Theatre 2017 Fresh Takes Play reading series continues with Really by Jackie Sibblies Drury at 3:30 pm on Sunday, May 7 at No. Six Depot Roastery and Cafe in West Stockbridge. Alice Reagan - director of Shakespeare & Company's acclaimed 2016 production of Or, - will direct.

Shakespeare & Company has announced Joan Ackermann: One Playwright, One Weekend with staged play readings Friday, March 17 through Sunday, March 19. 

It was appropriate that two-time Tony Award winner William Finn was present at The First Annual Berkshire Theatre Award ceremony held in Pittsfield MA. on  Sunday November 13th. Mr. Finn won a Tony for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee which was home grown up in The Berkshires at Barrington Stage Company. Although he didn't have any work in contention for the prestigious award, Finn did accept a few 'Berkies' for some artists who could not receive their awards in person.

After an extensive national search, Shakespeare & Company announced today that the renowned actor and director, Allyn Burrows, a long-time member of the Company, has been named its new Artistic Director.

Shakespeare & Company presented Liz Duffy Adams' playful comedy OR, based on the real life of Britain's first female playwright, Aphra Behn, last night and BroadwayWorld was there. Directed by Alice Reagen and featuring Company actress, Tod Randolph, as Aphra, Allyn Burrows as King Charles and Nehassaiu deGannes as Nell Gwynne. The production runs through September 4th in the Tina Packer Playhouse and is staged in-the-round.

The magic of Venice was in the air at Shakespeare & Company last night.   After a stirring performance of The Merchant of Venice, directed by Tina Packer in the Tina Packer Playhouse, it was cocktails, dinner, and dancing under the stars on the beautiful campus of Shakespeare & Company.   Guests mingled with actors and dignitaries at the annual Gala and BroadwayWorld was there.  The play runs through August 21st. Check out the photos below.

Shakespeare & Company continues to roll out its 39th performance season with the Regional Premiere of the Woodward and Newman award-winning play, Ugly Lies the Bone, written by Lindsey Ferrentino, and directed by Daniela Varon. This insightful, emotional and timely drama joins the Bernstein Theatre repertory on June 16 and runs through August 28.

Shakespeare & Company has announced its lineup for the 2016 summer season, which includes three Shakespeare plays: The Merchant of Venice, The Two Gentlemen of Verona and Twelfth Night, plus the Regional Premieres of Or, by Liz Duffy Adams, and Lauren Gunderson's The Taming. Additional titles include Ugly Lies the Bone by Lindsey Ferrentino a bracing drama fresh from an acclaimed Off-Broadway production, Sotto Voce by Pulitzer Prize winner Nilo Cruz, and the return of Stephan Wolfert in Cry 'Havoc!'

Shakespeare & Company presented the first full American production of Red Velvet, written by Lolita Chakrabarti, directed by Daniela Varon, and starring OBIE Award-winning actor John Douglas Thompson last night and Broadwayworld's Stephen Sorokoff was there. This powerful and emotional drama joins the Tina Packer Playhouse repertory and runs through September 13. Check out photos from the production below!

From the chic cocktail reception, to the spectacular performance, the lavish dinner and the elegant VIP after-party, Broadway in the Berkshires, Shakespeare & Company's Benefit Celebration was a smash hit! Monday evening Artistic Directors Ariel Bock and Jonathan Croy welcomed a full house at The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington.

From the chic cocktail reception, to the spectacular performance, the lavish dinner and the elegant VIP after-party, Broadway in the Berkshires, Shakespeare & Company's Benefit Celebration was a smash hit! Monday evening Artistic Directors Ariel Bock and Jonathan Croy welcomed a full house at The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington. Broadway actor and three-time Emmy Award- Winner Dick Cavett hosted the one-night-only Benefit Performance with verve and witty repartee, and even offered audiences a 60 second lesson in moonwalking. Proceeds from the event benefit the Company's wide-reaching and nationally recognized Training and Education programs.

Shakespeare & Company has finalized casting for its 38th performance season, and released a complete schedule of Opening Night dates. The announcement was made this week by Interim Artistic Directors Ariel Bock and Jonathan Croy, along with a positive report from Interim Managing Director Stephen D. Ball on the Company's box office successes to date. Shakespeare & Company's season opens on May 22 with The How and The Why, by Sarah Treem.

Shakespeare & Company announced today that Kenneth E. Werner has been elected Board Chair and Treasurer, and Jeffery Konowitch has been elected Vice Chair and Clerk. Mr. Werner has been a Shakespeare & Company Board Member since 2010, and served on the Company's Advisory Board for two years prior to his appointment. Mr. Konowitch has been a board member for the past eight years, and prior to his appointment worked with Shakespeare & Company in various management positions. The new slate of officers follows the recent announcement of the new management triumvirate of Steve Ball, Interim Managing Director, and Ariel Bock and Jonathan Croy, Interim Co-Artistic Directors.

Rick Dildine is returning to St. Louis to serve as Artistic & Executive Director of Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, a company he led from 2009-2014. Dildine became Executive Director & President of Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, MA, in September 2014.