Lisa Green reports from Stockbridge. The final sold-out performance of Motherhood Out Loud at the Unicorn Theatre on Saturday, March 29, started off with a hitch that seemed to delight everybody. Technical difficulties had the production’s director, Jayne Atkinson, filling time by talking about her role on House of Cards. Finally, sound was restored, and the production, a benefit for the Berkshire Festival of Women Writers and WAM Theatre, delivered an evening of monologues exploring the experience of motherhood in all its phases. Premiered in New York by award-winning producer Susan Rose, Motherhood Out Loud has had successful productions all over the country. The Berkshires cast featured some familiar names from stage and screen including Jane Kaczmarek and Michel Gill, but there were just as many talented writers, actors and activists in the audience to match the wattage on stage. At the end of the show, champagne appeared, and like a quick scene change, the stage was transformed into a party space with drinks and hors d’oeuvres, and a lot of high energy. Above, the Festival’s director, Jennifer Browdy de Hernandez, and Kristin van Ginhoven, director of WAM.
Writer Sonia Pilcer and Barbara Newman, a creative strategist and writer who was the "matchmaker" between the production and WAM; Cast member Tammy Denease and Paul Solovay, a photographer.
Playwright Marsha Norman with Susan Rose and Alan Lafer.
Kari Harendorf, Rachel Siegel, a cast member, and Elisa Kammeyer; Samantha Laferand Michael Irwin.
Jane Kaczmarek and Kristin van Ginhoven.
Cast member Barbara Sims and Hilary Somers Deely, who are co-curators of Made in the Berkshires; Jim Sexton, Jim Finnerty and Donna Hassler, executive director at Chesterwood.
Jeanie Hackett, an actor, author, director and teacher, with Susan Rose.
Jennifer Browdy de Hernandez and Lisa Rafel, a sound and healing educator; Amber Chand, a cast member, with Anni Crofut, a playwright and jewelry designer, who performed a piece of her own at the Saturday matinee.
Jayne Atkinson serves champagne; the stage is set for a celebration.
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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
