10 Tix Not To Miss: Theater
It’s Summer 2021, and theater is back with a vengeance (take that, COVID-19). But even if last summer’s near-complete shutdown hadn’t happened, we’d still be beyond excited about what our regional theaters are offering. It’s going to be, in large part, a season of drama under the sun, moon or tent, and the lineup looks impossibly intriguing, with lots of world premieres. Here are just 10 picks out of the many productions we don’t want to miss. (If you don’t see your favorite theater here, it may be because not all have released their lineups prior to publication.)
Note: Berkshire-based cultural organizations have developed a CCOVID-19 Code of Courtesy that addresses public safety for all visitors. Before you go, check out the guidelines at each theater to see what their protocols are as there may be updates and show-specific guidelines.
At Barrington Stage Company
1. BSC is going both indoors and outdoors. We know that the snowbirds among us will want to see life come to art, so to speak, in the world premiere of “Boca” by local Jessica Provenz and commissioned through the Sydelle Blatt New Works Commissioning Program. It could only be a comedy, as we follow a group of seniors living it up and going off the rails in the Sunshine State. This is a no-brainer, because if Debra Jo Rupp is in the cast (which she is), we’re there. Location is outdoors at the BSC Production Center in Pittsfield, near the intersection of Merrill Road and Plastics Avenue. July 30-Aug. 22.
2. Local theater goers know and love works by playwright Mark St. Germain, who graces us this summer with a new work, “Eleanor,” referring, of course, to Eleanor Roosevelt. And playing the influential First Lady? Another frequent presence among Berkshires stages, Harriet Harris, who’s currently portraying the same character in the Masterpiece Theatre series “Atlantic Crossing.” (Note: She’s a very good Eleanor.) This will be performed indoors at the Boyd/Quinson Stage. July 16-Aug. 1.
Like BSC, the BTG will offer productions both inside and outside. You can always count on this theater to reprise old favorites, like “The Importance of Being Earnest,” inside on The Fitzpatrick Main Stage (June 18-July 10).
3. But we’re really looking forward to is “Nina Simone: Four Women,” outside in the courtyard at The Unicorn Theatre. This work imagines a conversation, often through music, between Simone and three African-American women, and will feature Tony and Grammy Award Nominee Valisia LeKae as the iconic singer, joined by three other “amazing voices” of Broadway. Aug. 13-Sept. 5.
Chester Theatre’s tagline is “Big Stories. Intimate Setting,” and this year its setting has moved from its Chester Town Hall home to its temporary new location, Chester@Hancock (Shaker Village) in Pittsfield, making its under-the-tent productions so much more accessible to many.
4. The third play in its lineup, “Tiny Beautiful Things” caught our eye. Based on the “Dear Sugar” column written by Cheryl Strayed (author of Wild) and adapted by Nia Vardalos of “My Big Fat Creek Wedding” fame, it’s the story of what we can feel and learn when we open up to each other. Sounds like there might some soulful conversations going on. Aug. 18-29.
5. Ready for some participatory, yet virtual, theater? “The Dark Master,” co-presented with Japan Society NYC, is a humorously dark experimental theater piece in which each audience member gets a virtual reality headset to become the play’s protagonist. It takes place in a traditional Japanese diner, whose owner-chef is “The Master.” That’s you, audience member. Only 14 tickets are offered for each performance, with participants seated in individual “stations” on the PS21 stage. It sounds mind bending. June 17-20.
6. The campus in Lenox has been busy for months preparing its two outdoor theaters, and kicks off the outdoor 2021 season with “King Lear” starring Christopher Lloyd (yes, the “Back to the Future” Christopher Lloyd). It will be the first production in The New Spruce Theatre, an amphitheater situated underneath the towering spruce trees on the campus. July 2- Aug. 28.
7. Over at The Roman Garden Theatre, you can take in “Becoming Othello: A Black Girl’s Journey,” a multimedia production written by and starring Debra Ann Byrd, with songs and the music that shaped the life of a resilient girl growing up in Spanish Harlem. In fact, it’s the actor’s own story. July 16-25.
8. Old-fashioned summer stock is alive and well at The Theater Barn, which is bringing back a summer’s worth of “music, murder and comical mayhem.” Going straight for the laughs, we’re looking forward to “Fully Committed,” which had a run on Broadway in 2016. One brave actor gets to play 40 characters in 90 minutes, starting off as the struggling actor who works as a reservations clerk at a very hot restaurant. A peek at snippets from other productions on YouTube indicates that this is a funny show, and a tour de force for the lucky actor who gets to play the 40 roles.
“Our season relies on the literal architecture of Williamstown to bring it to life,” said Artistic Director Mandy Greenfield. “We’re taking over the town.” And not only will three of its main productions will be in different locations, they'll be in spaces you wouldn't expect.
9. “Row” will take place at The Clark Art Institute. But not inside — outside at the reflecting pool, which becomes the stage for this world premiere musical about one individual as she aims to be the first woman to solo across the Atlantic. Pool as performance space? We like it. July 13-Aug. 8.
10. “Alien/Nation” brings audiences into another immersive world premiere theatrical experience. In this production, you go on a journey through Williamstown by foot or car, your choice. Either way, you’ll find yourself into the center of stories inspired by real events that took place in Western Massachusetts back in the 60s. July 20-Aug. 8
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