Berkshire Theatre Group 2019
Performances on Three Stages
By: Charles Giuliano - Feb 14, 2019
The Berkshire Theatre Group schedule for 2019.
The Skin of Our Teeth
by
directed by David Auburn
at The Fitzpatrick Main Stage
BTG’s Stockbridge Campus,
Previews: Thursday, July 11 at 7pm and Friday, July 12 at 8pm
Press Opening/Opening Night: Saturday, July 13 at 8pm
Closing: Saturday, August 3 at 8pm
Tickets: Preview: $45
Tickets: $66
About:
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,
Previews: Thursday, August 8 at 7pm and Friday, August 9 at 8pm
Press Opening/Opening Night: Saturday, August 10 at 8pm
Closing: Saturday, August 31 at 8pm
Tickets: Preview: $45
Tickets: $66
About:
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
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,
Previews: Friday, May 24 at 8pm
Press Opening/Opening Night: Saturday, May 25 at 8pm
Closing: Saturday, June 15 at 2pm
Tickets: Preview: $47
Tickets: $56
About:
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:
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,
Previews: Wednesday, June 19 at 7pm; Thursday, June 20 at 7pm; and
Friday, June 21 at 8pm
Press Opening/Opening Night: Saturday, June 22 at 8pm
Closing: Saturday, July 13 at 8pm
Tickets: Preview: $47
Tickets: $56
About:
From the Pulitzer, Tony and Oscar Award-Winning author of Doubt and Moonstruck comes a romantic comedy set in rural
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,
Previews: Thursday, July 18 at 7pm and Friday, July 19 at 8pm
Press Opening/Opening Night: Saturday, July 20 at 8pm
Closing: Saturday, August 24 at 8pm
Tickets: Preview: $65
Tickets: A: $75 B: $25
About:
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,
Previews: Thursday, September 26 at 7pm and Friday, September 27 at 7pm
Press Opening/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,
Previews: Thursday, June 27 at 7pm and Friday, June 28 at 8pm
Press Opening/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
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
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,
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
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,
Press Opening/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
Additional Highlights
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,
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,
Tickets: Adult: $15 • Children 16 and under: $10
This special performance features highlights from some of this year’s
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,
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.