The Williamstown Theatre Festival, which has been around for 55 summers, has managed the neat trick of upholding tradition while staying contemporary and relevant. Under the leadership of Nicholas Martin (left, onstage center), WTF opened its season on July 2 with theatrical comfort food: A.R. Gurney's Children (through July 12), which was first produced in 1974. The story of a WASP family confronting repressed truths at their shingled summer "cottage" on a New England island, the one-act play features a breathtaking performance by Judith Light, who plays the steely, blue-blooded matriarch with conviction and surprising pathos. She is well served by her co-stars: Mary Bacon, Katie Finneran, and James Waterston. Before the play, WTF supporters and benefactors gathered under a tent on the lawn of the 62 Center for a cocktail picnic with mini burgers and hot dogs cleverly served in concession-stand style cardboard containers by Mezze Catering. After the show, the entire audience was invited for dessert (which is an opening night tradition for every show at WTF). There was watermelon, scooter pies, Champagne, and a long line for the soft-serve cones served from an old-fashioned ice-cream truck parked just outside the theater.
WTF Artistic Associate Justin Waldman, who is directing What is the Cause of Thunder (July 22 - August 2), with Jessica Hecht, who is in The Torch-Bearers (July 29 - August 9); director Adam Bernstein with Stacy Cochran.
WTF board vice president Michelle Moeller Chandler with trustee Joseph Finnegan; Molly and A.R. ("Pete") Gurney, the playwright, who was graduated from Williams College in 1952.
Wendie Malick, who will star in What is the Cause of Thunder? (July 22 - August 2) with Matt Harris, president of the WTF board of trustees, who was graduated from Williams College in 1994.
Kevin O'Rourke, who runs the Williams Summer Theater Lab, with his wife, Edith Thurber; Harold Wolpert and lighting designer Rui Rita.
Wendy Philbrick & Edward Baptiste; legendary actress Polly Bergen with director Gabriel Marantz and his grandmother, Marge Champion, a WTF trustee emeritus.
WTF general manager Gilbert Medina with Susan Pourfar who's in the world premiere of Jonathan Marc Sherman's Knickerbocker (July 8 - 19) and WTF trustee Chip Elitzer.
Sandra Thomas, executive director of Images Cinema in Williamstown, with Ellen Bernstein; What Is the Cause of Thunder? playwright Noah Haidle with WTF marketing manager Jane Mayer.
MASS MoCA's John McAlister with his wife, Chris McAlister; Brooks Ashmanskas, who's appearing in Knickerbocker (July 8 - 19), with Daniel Goldstein, who is directing True West (July 15 - 26).
Mezze Catering's picnic fare was user-friendly and delicious.
Corrina Gitterman and Janine Hethering enjoying their post-show ice cream cones.
The legendary Broadway critic John Simon with his wife, Pat Simon, a professor of theater at Marymount College; WTF literary associate Sarah Slight with literary intern Clare Drobot.
WTF artistic & development intern Rachel Seklecki with audience services supervisor Corissa Bryant.
Jid Sprague, treasurer of the WTF board of trustees, and her husband, John Sprague.
Written by
Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
