Berkshire Theatre Group Announces
Unicorn and Colonial Schedule
By: BTG - Mar 20, 2015
At the Unicorn
In revealing the additional plans (she announced the main stage shows in February) Maguire says “We are teaming up with some of the most exciting voices in American Theatre: director Jackson Gay, BTG artist Keira Naughton and playwright Suzanne Heathcote to present the world premiere, I Saw My Neighbor On The Train And I Didn’t Even Smile. We are delighted to partner with New Neighborhood on this funny and insightful look on a very contemporary, dysfunctional American family.
Last year, we presented the great literary figure, Poe, and this year, we are presenting the great American philosopher, Henry Thoreau. Written by and starring the remarkable David Adkins, Thoreau or, Return to Walden honors an incredible dramatist who had a significant impact on the way Americans think. Eric Hill will be directing this world premiere where we’ll all have the chance to return to Thoreau’s utopia—Walden.
Eric Hill has successfully directed Pinter for us before (The Caretaker), and this fall, he will be directing Pinter’s The Homecoming. This piece is one of the great plays of modern theatre, and we are lucky to have an array incredible artists involved with this production, including the master actor, Rocco Sisto and gifted BTG Alum, Tara Franklin.”
At the Colonial
Berkshire Theatre Group’s 2015 season also brings legendary rock and folk musicians, famed artists and fun community events to the Berkshires.
Music performances on the Colonial stage include American folk music icons The Kingston Trio, timeless rock legends America and folk legend Arlo Guthrie’s Alice’s Restaurant: 50th Anniversary Tour which was previously announced without a date. Arlo will play the Colonial on Columbus Day weekend; October 11 at 7pm.
Comedy on the Colonial stage includes Last Comic Standing comedian, Ralphie May and mixed media comedian, McQueen.
At The Garage
Comedy at The Garage features a brand new Wednesday Night Comedy Series. Wednesdays at The Garage will often feature evenings of knee-slapping comedy. Comedians scheduled to perform at the Wednesday Night Comedy Series will be announced at a later date. Music at The Garage features American Idol contestant and Berkshire native, Katherine Winston.
New this year
Debuting this year at The Colonial Theatre is the On The Stage Series. This special Series gives audiences the opportunity to see their favorite artists, such as pianist and composer, Robin Spielberg, up close and personal, on the historic Colonial stage. Berkshire Theatre Group Programmer, Simon Shaw, says, “Sitting on the Colonial stage, looking out at the beautiful theatre as you watch the artist performing right in front of you is an unforgettable and amazing experience.” A full lineup of artist scheduled to perform at the On The Stage Series will be announced at a later date.
Community events at The Colonial Theatre include BTG’s second annual Encore! An Evening to Celebrate High School Musicals directed by Travis G. Daly. This special performance features ten-minute encore performances from this year’s Berkshire County high school musicals. A brand new music review, Metamorphosis presents: Evolution of Music, from the Producers of Romance, Soul & Rock N’ Roll. The 11th annual Pittsfield CityJazz Festival featuring Greg Hopkins Jazz Orchestra, with guest soloist Randy Brecker on trumpet.
This fall marks the 5th anniversary of Berkshire Theatre Group’s festival of new works, Made in the Berkshires, celebrating the talents of Berkshire County with a juried selection of events that present the best in the local arts.
Many events in BTG’s 2015 Season were previously announced in mid-February, including, Bells Are Ringing, Deathtrap, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune, Mary Poppins, BoDeans, Natalie MacMaster and Robert Klein.
Tickets are now on sale. Summer season passes are available for purchase at $125 for a four-show pass, and $175 for a six-show pass, $100 for a four-show preview pass, $120 for a six-show preview pass.
Youth outreach
BTGy is a youth outreach initiative for theatre-goers 25 years of age and younger to experience the joy and wonder of live theatre and the performing arts on our stages. Tickets to BTG’s summer theatre productions for ½ of a regular priced ticket and 10% off BTG’s presented shows (some restrictions apply). To join BTGy please contact the BTG Ticket Office at 111 South Street, Pittsfield by calling 413-997-4444. Tickets for BTGy are subject to availability and proof of age.
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-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.
THE UNICORN THEATRE 2015 OVERVIEW IN DATE ORDER
Masha’s Seagull
based on Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull
written by Justin Scheuer
directed by Eric Hill
featuring Virginia Scheuer
at The Unicorn Theatre, Stockbridge
The Larry Vaber Stage
Performances: Friday, May 22 through Sunday, May 24
Tickets: $25
Performance Dates
Friday, May 22 at 7pm
Saturday, May 23 at 2pm and 7pm
Sunday, May 24 at 2pm
Inspired by incomparable dramatist Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull, Justin Scheuer, Artistic Director of The Classical Edge Theatre, explores new territory in, Masha’s Seagull. Directed by BTG artist Eric Hill, this production takes on Chekhov’s classic work, and examines a minor, yet intriguing, character in the original story, Masha, played by Virginia Scheuer. This insightful production premiered at The Classical Edge Theatre last fall.
“My experience with Justin and Virginia, when I directed this piece at The Classical Edge, was a remarkable journey,” says Hill. “This voyage continues in the transfer of our work from The Classical Edge to The Unicorn Theatre. This is a truly beautiful and challenging piece.”
WORLD PREMIERE
Thoreau or, Return to Walden
written by David Adkins
directed by Eric Hill
featuring David Adkins
at The Unicorn Theatre, Stockbridge
The Larry Vaber Stage
Previews: Thursday, June 18 and Friday, June 19
Press Opening/Opening Night: Saturday, June 20 at 8pm
Talkback: Monday, June 22 after 7pm performance
Closing: Saturday, July 11at 8pm
Tickets: Preview: $42
Tickets: A: $50
Sponsored by: Leah and Benjamin Barber
Performance Dates
Thursday, June 18 at 7pm (Preview)
Friday, June 19 at 8pm (Preview)
Saturday, June 20 at 8pm (Opening)
Monday, June 22 at 7pm (Talkback)
Tuesday, June 23 at 7pm
Wednesday, June 24 at 7pm
Thursday, June 25 at 7pm
Friday, June 26 at 8pm
Saturday, June 27 at 2pm and 8pm
Monday, June 29 at 7pm
Tuesday, June 30 at 7pm
Wednesday, July 1 at 7pm
Thursday, July 2 at 2pm and 7pm
Friday, July 3 at 8pm
Saturday, July 4 at 2pm
Monday, July 6 at 7pm
Tuesday, July 7 at 7pm
Wednesday, July 8 at 7pm
Thursday, July 9 at 2pm and 7pm
Friday, July 10 at 8pm
Saturday, July 11 at 2pm and 8pm (Closing)
New England Transcendentalist, poet, and philosopher, Henry David Thoreau, built his life around the idea of simplicity and love. The enlightened thinker’s reflections come to life in the world premiere of David Adkins’ one-man play, Thoreau or, Return to Walden. With 22 seasons at Berkshire Theatre Group under his belt, Adkins has been in BTG productions including: Poe, Benefactors, Same Time, Next Year; Homestead Crossing; Sylvia and Faith Healer. Long-time BTG Artist, Eric Hill, who most recently wrote and directed Adkins in the wildly well-received Poe, will direct this production. Hill has directed numerous shows at BTG, including: The Who’s Tommy, A Chorus Line, Oklahoma! and the annual classic, A Christmas Carol.
“Thoreau was a great lover! He fell in love as a young man, and wrote in his journal, ‘There is no remedy for love but to love more,’” says Adkins. “Henry was enamored with the natural world and humanity—so he gave his life to each. By withdrawing from society, for a time, he was able to see it more clearly, and care for it and his fellow man more deeply. He came away from Walden saying: ‘Love must be as much a light as a flame.’”
WORLD PREMIERE
I Saw My Neighbor On the Train and I Didn’t Even Smile
written by Suzanne Heathcote
directed by Jackson Gay
featuring Keira Naughton, Linda Gehringer, and Adam O’Byrne
A co-production with New Neighborhood
at The Unicorn Theatre, Stockbridge
The Larry Vaber Stage
Previews: Wednesday, July 15 through Friday, July 17
Press Opening/Opening Night: Saturday, July 18 at 8pm
Talkback: Monday, July 20 after 7pm performance
Closing: Saturday, August 15 at 8pm
Tickets: Preview: $42
Tickets: A: $50
Sponsored By: Natalie and Howard Shawn
Performance Dates:
Wednesday, July 15 at 7pm (Preview)
Thursday, July 16 at 7pm (Preview)
Friday, July 17 at 8pm (Preview)
Saturday, July 18 at 2pm and 8pm (Opening Night)
Monday, July 20 at 7pm (Talkback)
Tuesday, July 21 at 7pm
Wednesday, July 22 at 7pm
Thursday, July 23 at 7pm
Friday, July 24 at 8pm
Saturday, July 25 at 2pm and 8pm
Monday, July 27 at 7pm
Tuesday, July 28 at 7pm
Wednesday, July 29 at 7pm
Thursday, July 30 at 7pm
Friday, July 31 at 8pm
Saturday, August 1 at 2pm and 8pm
Monday, August 3 at 7pm
Tuesday, August 4 at 7pm
Wednesday, August 5 at 7pm
Thursday, August 6 at 7pm
Friday, August 7 at 8pm
Saturday, August 8 at 2pm and 8pm
Monday, August 10 at 7pm
Tuesday, August 11 at 7pm
Wednesday, August 12 at 7pm
Thursday, August 13 at 7pm
Friday, August 14 at 8pm
Saturday, August 15 at 2pm and 8pm (Closing)
How do you find genuine human connections in today’s ever-changing, technology-driven culture? This question sets the tone in, I Saw My Neighbor On the Train and I Didn’t Even Smile, a new play by Suzanne Heathcote, directed by Jackson Gay, making their BTG debuts. The world premiere, co-produced by New Neighborhood, features longtime BTG artist Keira Naughton, who most recently directed the world premiere of Cedars, starring her father James Naughton; Linda Gehringer and Adam O’Byrne, making his BTG debut.
After yet another incident at school, Sadie, a clever teenager with a hard exterior, is sent to stay with her estranged father, Jamie, a struggling music producer. Already weighed down with personal matters, Jamie guilts his neurotic, naïve sister, Rebecca, played by Keira Naughton (Birthday Boy, Macbeth, Faith Healer, The Book Club Play) into watching Sadie. Plagued by her overwhelming, cynical mother, Daphne, played by Linda Gehringer (The Crowd You’re With, How to Write a New Book for the Bible), Rebecca reluctantly invites Sadie into her secluded life. As each character’s carefully constructed layers unfurl, they are forced to step out of their comfort zone, and embrace life’s blemishes.
“Suzanne’s wonderful play is full of funny and flawed people,” says Gay. “She perfectly captures the utter loneliness of modern existence with humor and heart and reminds us that sometimes you just have to look at the person standing right next to you to find what you’ve been looking for all along.”
About New Neighborhood: Born out of the Low Brow/Hi Fi 2014 Yale Rep production of These Paper Bullets! and the unintended financial backing of Rupert Murdoch, New Neighborhood is a theater and television company whose sincerity and authenticity are so combustible, it cannot be housed under one roof for too long without doing severe structural damage. With new work, bruised work, all-singing, all-dancing, foul-mouthed musical work, New Neighborhood seeks to harvest the organs of its audience and sell them back to their owners within the time houselights dim and houselights rise. Founded in 2015 by a collective of artists scattered across the country, New Neighborhood is a particular ordinance of Actors, Designers, Directors, Dramaturgs (all the hot D’s!), Musicians, Graphic Novelists, Producers, Writers, Widows, Widowers (all the lousy W’s) and bad, browned-on-both-sides Balladeers. New Neighborhood finds a show, produces the sh*t outta it, and disappears into a cloud of train smoke.
Searching For The Moon: A Heroine’s Journey
written by Amber Chand
directed by Jayne Atkinson
featuring Amber Chand
at The Unicorn Theatre, Stockbridge
The Larry Vaber Stage
Performances: Thursday, August 27 through Saturday, August 29
Tickets: $25
Performance Dates:
Thursday, August 27 at 7pm
Friday, August 28 at 7pm
Saturday, August 29 at 2pm and 7pm
Searching For The Moon: A Heroine’s Journey is a one woman show written and performed by Amber Chand. This powerful show depicts acts and tales of love, despair, faith and forgiveness. Director Jayne Atkinson and Amber Chand promise to create an unforgettable evening of one woman’s global journey of heroism.
The Homecoming
written by Harold Pinter
directed by Eric Hill
featuring Rocco Sisto
at The Unicorn Theatre, Stockbridge
The Larry Vaber Stage
Previews: Thursday, October 1 and Friday, October 2
Press Opening/Opening Night: Saturday, October 3 at 7pm
Closing: Sunday, October 25 at 2pm
Tickets: Preview: $42
Tickets: A: $48
Performance Dates:
Thursday, October 1 at 7pm (Preview)
Friday, October 2 at 7pm (Preview)
Saturday, October 3 at 7pm (Opening)
Sunday, October 4 at 2pm
Thursday, October 8 at 7pm
Friday, October 9 at 7pm
Saturday, October 10 at 7pm
Sunday, October 11 at 2pm and 7pm
Monday, October 12 at 2pm
Thursday, October 15 at 7pm
Friday, October 16 at 7pm
Saturday, October 17 at 2pm and 7pm
Sunday, October 18 at 2pm
Thursday, October 22 at 7pm
Friday, October 23 at 7pm
Saturday, October 24 at 7pm
Sunday, October 25 at 2pm (Closing)
Written by Nobel Prize-Winning British playwright, Harold Pinter, The Homecoming, is a thought provoking, noteworthy piece of theatre. Eric Hill, respected BTG artist—who so diligently directed Benefactors last year—directs this Tony Award-winning play. This production features three-time OBIE Award-Winning television, film and stage actor, Rocco Sisto and notable BTG Alum, Tara Franklin. The Homecoming invites audiences to delve deep into hidden crevices of the human condition.
Philosophy teacher, Teddy, brings his wife of six years, Ruth, played by Tara Franklin (Lion in Winter, Equus, The Einstein Project), to his childhood home in North London to meet his family after a long estrangement. Without warning of their visit, Teddy and Ruth are greeted by Teddy’s domineering family; Teddy’s aggressive father, Max, played by Rocco Sisto (Quills, Seminar, Amadeaus) Max’s younger, incompetent brother, Sam; and Teddy’s two brothers—Joey, an aspiring boxer and Lenny, an amateur hustler. Teddy and Ruth’s homecoming instigates a power struggle for the ages, and family ties begin to unravel.
Pioneering British dramatist, poet and actor of the late 20th century, Harold Pinter’s influential career spanned more than 50 years. With his one-of-a-kind storytelling style, Pinter’s texts are marked with abrupt dialogue and significant pauses. Pinter was a passionate, outspoken writer, whose works include: The Room, The Birthday Party, The Caretaker and One for the Road. The ground-breaking writer passed in 2008, leaving a legacy of unforgettable works behind.Berkshire Theatre