The out-of-town tryout is a tried-and-true Broadway convention, and in the good old days shows played Philadelphia or New Haven before heading to New York City. This summer, Great Barrington is getting to play that part. The Broadway bound production of Lombardi—a play about the fabled Green Bay Packers coach that is being co-produced by the National Football League in its first Broadway venture—will have a pre-season run at The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center July 22 - 28. Starring Dan Lauria (above left) as the coach and Judith Light (above right, who gave a tour de force performance last summer in A.R. Gurney's Children at Williamstown Theatre Festival) as his wife, Marie, Lombardi is scheduled to begin performances at Circle in the Square in New York City on September 23. Written by Academy Award winner Eric Simonson and based on the book When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi by Pulitzer Prize winning author David Maraniss, the play will officially open on October 21. With all tickets at Circle in the Square costing $115, Lombardi at The Mahaiwe is a bargain with tickets at $42 - $65. There's a definite Broadway vibe at the Mahaiwe this summer: the diva Patti Lupone will be performing there on July 11 and the legendary Elaine Stritch on August 15. Lombardi at The Mahaiwe: July 22 - 28 Great Barrington, MA Tickets go on sale Friday, May 14
