Berkshire Theatre Group Announces 2019 Summer Season

Berkshire Theatre Group is thrilled to announce Berkshire Theatre's 2019 Summer Season. BTG will be releasing a season cast announcement at a later date.

According to Maguire, "Coming in on the heels of last year's 90th celebration, I found myself looking at how we love and care for each other. Which means our 91st season is eclectic and wide open to all kinds of interpretations because we love in so many different ways."

Maguire continues, "We find love in the strangest and most bizarre places in our first play of the 2019 season at The Unicorn Theatre, The Goat or, Who is Sylvia by one of our greatest playwrights, Edward Albee.

Then, set in rural Ireland, we find romance and humor in Outside Mullingar by Pulitzer, Tony and Oscar Award-Winning playwright, John Patrick Shanley.

A fantastic opening to our Colonial Theatre summer season is the high energy musical drama Rock and Roll Man, where we tell the story of Alan Freed, whose passion for rock and roll would ultimately shape the landscape of the music industry forever."

Maguire adds, "In the humorous way only Thornton Wilder can, he looks at the globe as a whole, from the smallest to the largest issues we face around our planet in The Skin of Our Teeth, the first play of the Fitzpatrick Main Stage season.

In the timeless musical Working, we realize how committed we become to our work and how much of our center and identity is found in our workplace."

Maguire continues, "We find love and friendship in the most unusual places in the enchanting musical adventure Shrek at The Colonial Theatre, featuring over 100 talented Berkshire youth.

Also, on the Fitzpatrick Main Stage is the world premiere of Kathleen Clark's What We May Be, a play about people who work in the theatre," Maguire says, "some of them are in love with each other, some of them despise each other. It's funny and very human.

George Gershwin Alone is a festival and celebration of some of the world's greatest music about love."

Maguire adds, "Closing our 2019 season is our fall production of Mark Harelik's What the Jews Believe, where we reckon with our need to care for our spiritual lives."

Tickets for all of BTG's exciting summer season productions will be on sale Friday, February 15 at 10am. BTG continues its commitment to offering accessible theatre for everyone, with tickets starting as low as $15 for adults, and $10 for children 16 years or younger. BTG also participates in the EBT Card to Culture program, offering tickets as low as $5 for those with an EBT Card.

Tickets may be purchased in person at the Colonial Ticket Office at 111 South Street, Pittsfield or by calling (413) 997-4444 or online at www.BerkshireTheatreGroup.org. The Ticket Office is 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.

2019 SUMMER SEASON

The Fitzpatrick Main Stage:

The Skin of Our Teeth
by Thornton Wilder
directed by David Auburn

at The Fitzpatrick Main Stage

BTG's Stockbridge Campus, 83 East Main Street

Previews: Thursday, July 11 at 7pm and Friday, July 12 at 8pm

Opening Night: Saturday, July 13 at 8pm

Closing: Saturday, August 3 at 8pm

Tickets: Preview: $45

Tickets: $66

Winner of the 1943 Pulitzer Prize, this theatrical masterpiece is a wildly entertaining and thought-provoking explosion of time and space. Meet the Antrobus family of contemporary and prehistoric New Jersey as they narrowly escape one disaster after another-dinosaurs, woolly mammoths, the Ice Age, world war, climate change-whether George Antrobus is inventing the alphabet or merely saving the world from apocalypse, he and his formidable family somehow manage to survive.

Written by three-time Pulitzer Prize-Winner Thornton Wilder and directed by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-Winner David Auburn (Proof; BTG: The Petrified Forest, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof), The Skin of our Teeth is an optimistic tribute to the invincibility of the human spirit.

What We May Be
by Kathleen Clark
directed by Gregg Edelman

at The Fitzpatrick Main Stage

BTG's Stockbridge Campus, 83 East Main Street

Previews: Thursday, August 8 at 7pm and Friday, August 9 at 8pm

Opening Night: Saturday, August 10 at 8pm

Closing: Saturday, August 31 at 8pm

Tickets: Preview: $45

Tickets: $66

In this tenderhearted world premiere, a tight-knit group of actors, facing their final performance in their beloved and closing theatre, confront the reality of their relationships to the stage and to each other. Written by Kathleen Clark (BTG: In The Mood) and directed by Tony Award-Nominated Gregg Edelman (Broadway: City of Angels, 1776, Into The Woods; BTG: Coming Back Like A Song!, Arsenic and Old Lace, Constellations), What We May Be is a delightful look at what's important in life.

The Unicorn Theatre:
The Goat or, Who is Sylvia?
by Edward Albee
directed by Eric Hill

at The Unicorn Theatre

The Larry Vaber Stage

BTG's Stockbridge Campus, 6 East Street

Previews: Friday, May 24 at 8pm

Opening Night: Saturday, May 25 at 8pm

Closing: Saturday, June 15 at 2pm

Tickets: Preview: $47

Tickets: $56

Three-time Pulitzer Prize-Winner Edward Albee's most provocative, daring, and controversial play since Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, The Goat or, Who is Sylvia? won all the major awards for best new play of the year in 2002: Tony, New York Drama Critics Circle, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle.

Martin, a successful architect who has just turned fifty, leads an ostensibly ideal life with his loving wife and teenage son. But when he confides to his best friend that he is also in love with a goat (named Sylvia), he sets in motion events that will destroy his family and leave his life in tatters. Directed by Eric Hill (BTG: Naked, At Home at the Zoo, The Homecoming).

Outside Mullingar

by John Patrick Shanley

directed by Karen Allen

at The Unicorn Theatre

The Larry Vaber Stage

BTG's Stockbridge Campus, 6 East Street

Previews: Wednesday, June 19 at 7pm; Thursday, June 20 at 7pm; and
Friday, June 21 at 8pm

Opening Night: Saturday, June 22 at 8pm

Closing: Saturday, July 13 at 8pm

Tickets: Preview: $47

Tickets: $56

From the Pulitzer, Tony and Oscar Award-Winning author of Doubt and Moonstruck comes a romantic comedy set in rural Ireland. Outside Mullingar is the unlikely story of Anthony and Rosemary, two middle-aged farmers who haven't got a clue when it comes to love. With the years slipping away, these eccentric souls will need to overcome a bitter land feud, family rivalries and their own romantic fears to find happiness. Their journey is heartbreaking, funny and ultimately wonderful. Directed by Karen Allen (Film: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Scrooged; BTG: Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, Moonchildren, Extremities), this tenderhearted story reminds us it's never too late to take a chance on love.

Working: A Musical

from the book by Studs Terkel

adapted by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso

with additional contributions by Gordon Greenberg

songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, Mary Rodgers, Susan Birkenhead, Stephen Schwartz and James Taylor

orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire

directed by James Barry

at The Unicorn Theatre

The Larry Vaber Stage

BTG's Stockbridge Campus, 6 East Street

Previews: Thursday, July 18 at 7pm and Friday, July 19 at 8pm

Opening Night: Saturday, July 20 at 8pm

Closing: Saturday, August 24 at 8pm

Tickets: Preview: $65

Tickets: A: $75 B: $25

Based on Studs Terkel's best-selling book of interviews with American workers, Working: A Musical paints a vivid portrait of the men and women that the world so often takes for granted: the schoolteacher, the phone operator, the waitress, the millworker, the mason and the housewife, just to name a few. Nominated for six Tony Awards, this classic has been updated for a modern age, featuring songs by Tony Award-Winning Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, In the Heights), as well as favorites by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Godspell), Craig Carnelia and Berkshire beloved and multi Grammy Award-Winner James Taylor.

Directed by James Barry (Broadway: Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson; BTG: Million Dollar Quartet), Working: A Musical is a timeless musical exploration of 26 people from all walks of life and how people's relationships to their work ultimately reveal key aspects of their humanity.

What The Jews Believe

by Mark Harelik

directed Mark Harelik

In association with The American National Theatre

at The Unicorn Theatre

The Larry Vaber Stage

BTG's Stockbridge Campus, 6 East Street

Previews: Thursday, September 26 at 7pm and Friday, September 27 at 7pm

Opening Night: Saturday, September 28 at 7pm

Closing: Sunday, October 20 at 2pm

Tickets: Preview: $45

Tickets: $52

About:
Dave and his family still live in the old home built by his father in rural Central Texas, and they are still the only Jewish family in town. His son Nathan feels isolated attempting to understand the family's beliefs, while his wife Rachel faces an even greater crisis of faith. Meanwhile, Dave struggles to maintain a sense of normalcy for his searching family. Written and directed by Mark Harelik (The Immigrant; TV: The Big Bang Theory), What the Jews Believe is a poignant story about the loss of faith and the journey to find it.

The Colonial Theatre:

Rock and Roll Man: The Alan Freed Story
book by Gary Kupper, Larry Marshak and Rose Caiola
original music and lyrics by Gary Kupper

directed by Randal Myler

music direction by Dave Keyes

at The Colonial Theatre

BTG's Pittsfield Campus, 111 South Street

Previews: Thursday, June 27 at 7pm and Friday, June 28 at 8pm

Opening Night: Saturday, June 29 at 8pm

Closing: Sunday, July 21 at 2pm

Tickets: Preview: $45

Tickets: A: $75 B: $50

Opening Night (June 29 at 8pm): All tickets are $75 and include a post-show reception

About:

In the summer of 1954, in a small radio station in Cleveland, an unknown disc jockey heard the sound that would change America. And the rest is music history.

Rock and Roll Man is the new musical about the incredible rise and fall of Alan Freed, the man who coined the phrase rock and roll and brought its sound to the world. He discovered black artists-and got them record deals. He traveled the country-and got them heard from coast to coast. He spoke to the younger generation-and brought them to their feet. By the dawn of the '60s, he was the biggest name in music-until scandal made him the biggest target in America.

This high energy musical highlights the greatest rock and roll legends of all time such as Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Lavern Baker, Bill Haley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Screamin' Jay, just to name a few. Also, featuring original songs and some of the biggest hits of a decade, including "Why Do Fools Fall in Love," "Tutti Frutti," "Great Balls of Fire," "Roll Over Beethoven," "Ain't That a Shame" and many more, Rock and Roll Man takes you behind the scenes and behind the music of one of the most influential-and controversial-figures in pop music history.

Shrek The Musical
based on the Dreamworks Animation Motion Picture and the book by William Steig
music by Jeanine Tesori

book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire

originally produced on Broadway by DreamWorks Theatricals and
Neal Street Productions

original production directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford

directed by Travis Daly

music direction by Mark Gionfriddo

choreography by Avital Asuleen

Running August 1 through August 17

at The Colonial Theatre

BTG's Pittsfield Campus, 111 South Street
Special Note: There is no press night for Shrek The Musical

Tickets: Adult A: $45; Adult B: $35 • Child A: $30; Child B: $25

About:
Based on the Oscar-Winning Dreamworks Animation film, Shrek The Musical is a Tony Award-Winning fairy tale adventure, featuring all new songs from Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie; Caroline, or Change) and a side-splitting book by David Lindsay-Abaire. Shrek brings all the beloved characters you know from the film to life on stage and proves there's more to the story than meets the ears.

"Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek..." And so begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you've got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there's one on hand, and his name is Shrek.

Directed by Travis Daly (Tarzan, The Music Man, Beauty and the Beast), with music direction by Mark Gionfriddo and choreography by Avital Asuleen, this charming musical features over 100 talented Berkshire youth. Irreverently fun for the whole family, Shrek proves that beauty is truly in the eye of the ogre.

George Gershwin Alone
music and lyrics by George & Ira Gershwin

book by Hershey Felder

directed by Joel Zwick

at The Colonial Theatre

BTG's Pittsfield Campus, 111 South Street

Opening Night: Saturday, August 24 at 8pm

Closing: Saturday, August 31 at 8pm

Tickets: $50

About:
This celebrated one-man play features acclaimed actor, playwright and accomplished pianist, Hershey Felder rendering an intimate portrait of George Gershwin's personal life and artistic genius. Widely regarded as the man who brought jazz into the concert hall, Gershwin changed the musical landscape forever.

Packed with Gershwin's legendary songbook, George Gershwin Alone features delightful classics such as "I Got Rhythm," "Someone to Watch Over Me," songs from Porgy and Bess and An American in Paris, and a complete performance of "Rhapsody in Blue." Directed by Joel Zwick (Broadway: George Gershwin Alone, Dance With Me; Film: My Big Fat Greek Wedding; TV: Laverne & Shirley, Full House, Perfect Strangers, Family Matters).

Additional highlights of BTG's 91st Season include:

Disney's Aladdin JR.

music by Alan Menken

lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin

book by Chad Beguelin

based on the Disney film written by Ron Clements, John Musker, Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio and directed & produced by Ron Clements & John Musker

directed by Travis Daly

music direction by Erin M. White

choreography by Kathy Jo Grover

Running April 26 through April 28
at The Colonial Theatre

BTG's Pittsfield Campus, 111 South Street
Special Note: There is no press night for Disney's Aladdin JR.

Tickets: Adult: $15 • Child: $10

About:
Disney's Aladdin JR. is based on the 1992 Academy Award-Winning film and the 2014 hit Broadway show. Aladdin and his three friends, Babkak, Omar and Kassim, are down on their luck until Aladdin discovers a magic lamp and a wisecracking Genie who has the power to grant three wishes. Aladdin embarks on a magic carpet ride adventure where he faces the evil sorcerer, Jafar and ultimately, himself. With favorite songs such as "Friend Like Me," "One Jump Ahead" and "Prince Ali," along with original songs and thrills, this new adaptation of the beloved story will open up "A Whole New World" for the entire family!

Encore! An Evening to Celebrate High School Musicals

directed by Travis Daly

Sunday, May 5

at The Colonial Theatre

BTG's Pittsfield Campus, 111 South Street

Tickets: Adult: $15 • Children 16 and under: $10

This special performance features highlights from some of this year's Berkshire County high school musicals. This event will also showcase the talents of local students with songs, dance, improv, poetry, scenes and more in a cabaret style format. Ticket proceeds benefit BTG PLAYS!, Berkshire Theatre Group's year-round education program.

Director Travis Daly says, "I'm excited that this year's event will combine Encore! An Evening to Celebrate High School Musicals with our High School Student Cabaret, for one special day of performances to showcase all of the incredible talent in Berkshire County at the Colonial Theatre!"

Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka KIDS
lyrics and music by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley

adapted for the Stage by Leslie Bricusse and Timothy Allen McDonald

based on the book, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl

directed by Travis Daly

Running October 26 through October 27

at The Colonial Theatre

BTG's Pittsfield Campus, 111 South Street
Special Note: There is no press night for Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka KIDS

Tickets: Adult: $15 • Child: $10

About:

Charlie Bucket experiences delicious adventures after winning a golden ticket to visit Willy Wonka's mysterious and fantastic chocolate factory. Featuring the enchanting songs from the 1971 film starring Gene Wilder, in addition to a host of fun new songs, Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka KIDS is a scrumdidilyumptious musical guaranteed to delight everyone's sweet tooth. Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka KIDS features 1st through 6th grade elementary students.

PERFORMANCE DATES OVERVIEW (In Calendar Order)

Disney's Aladdin JR.

music by Alan Menken

lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin

book by Chad Beguelin

based on the Disney film written by Ron Clements, John Musker, Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio and directed & produced by Ron Clements & John Musker

directed by Travis Daly

at The Colonial Theatre

BTG's Pittsfield Campus, 111 South Street

Performance Dates:
Friday, April 26 at 7pm

Saturday, April 27 at 11am and 2pm

Sunday, April 28 at 2pm and 5pm

Encore! An Evening to Celebrate High School Musicals

directed by Travis Daly

at The Colonial Theatre

BTG's Pittsfield Campus, 111 South Street

Performance Date:

Sunday, May 5 at 2pm

The Goat or, Who is Sylvia?
by Edward Albee
directed by Eric Hill

at The Unicorn Theatre

The Larry Vaber Stage

BTG's Stockbridge Campus, 6 East Street

Performance Dates:
Friday, May 24 at 8pm (Preview)

Saturday, May 25 at 8pm (Press Night/Opening)

Sunday, May 26 at 2pm

Thursday, May 30 at 7pm

Friday, May 31 at 8pm

Saturday, June 1 at 2pm

Saturday, June 1 at 8pm

Sunday, June 2 at 2pm

Thursday, June 6 at 7pm

Friday, June 7 at 8pm

Saturday, June 8 at 2pm

Saturday, June 8 at 8pm

Sunday, June 9 at 2pm

Wednesday, June 12 at 7pm

Thursday, June 13 at 7pm

Friday, June 14 at 8pm

Saturday, June 15 at 2pm (Closing)

Outside Mullingar

by John Patrick Shanley

directed by Karen Allen

at The Unicorn Theatre

The Larry Vaber Stage

BTG's Stockbridge Campus, 6 East Street

Performance Dates:
Wednesday, June 19 at 7pm (Preview)

Thursday, June 20 at 7pm (Preview)

Friday, June 21 at 8pm (Preview)

Saturday, June 22 at 2pm

Saturday, June 22 at 8pm (Press Night/Opening)

Monday, June 24 at 7pm

Tuesday, June 25 at 7pm

Wednesday, June 26 at 2pm

Wednesday, June 26 at 7pm

Thursday, June 27 at 7pm

Friday, June 28 at 8pm

Saturday, June 29 at 2pm

Saturday, June 29 at 8pm

Monday, July 1 at 7pm

Tuesday, July 2 at 7pm

Wednesday, July 3 at 2pm

Wednesday, July 3 at 7pm

Thursday, July 4 at 7pm

Friday, July 5 at 8pm

Saturday, July 6 at 2pm

Saturday, July 6 at 8pm

Monday, July 8 at 7pm

Tuesday, July 9 at 7pm

Wednesday, July 10 at 2pm

Wednesday, July 10 at 7pm

Thursday, July 11 at 7pm

Friday, July 12 at 8pm

Saturday, July 13 at 2pm

Saturday, July 13 at 8pm (Closing)

Rock and Roll Man: The Alan Freed Story
book by Gary Kupper, Larry Marshak, and Rose Caiola
original music and lyrics by Gary Kupper
directed by Randal Myler

at The Colonial Theatre

BTG's Pittsfield Campus, 111 South Street

Performance Dates:
Thursday, June 27 at 7pm (Preview)

Friday, June 28 at 8pm (Preview)

Saturday, June 29 at 8pm (Press Night/Opening)

Sunday, June 30 at 2pm

Tuesday, July 2 at 7pm

Wednesday, July 3 at 2pm

Wednesday, July 3 at 7pm

Friday, July 5 at 2pm

Friday, July 5 at 8pm

Saturday, July 6 at 2pm

Saturday, July 6 at 8pm

Sunday, July 7 at 2pm

Tuesday, July 9 at 7pm

Wednesday, July 10 at 2pm

Wednesday, July 10 at 7pm

Thursday, July 11 at 7pm

Friday, July 12 at 8pm

Saturday, July 13 at 2pm

Saturday, July 13 at 8pm

Sunday, July 14 at 2pm

Tuesday, July 16 at 7pm

Wednesday, July 17 at 2pm

Wednesday, July 17 at 7pm

Thursday, July 18 at 7p

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