Rachel Louchen reports from Lenox. A packed crowd of cast members, crew and friends turned out to celebrate the opening night of WAM Theatre's newest production, In Darfur, on Saturday, November 1 at Haven in Lenox. Founder, Artistic Director and play director Kristin van Ginhoven addressed the guests with a champagne toast and talked about the intense process of producing the play, which tells the story of three lives that intersect in a camp for internally displaced persons. Van Ginhoven acknowledged the “In Darfur Army" of individuals who have been invaluable along the way. A crucial member of the army has been the playwright, Winter Miller (left, with van Ginhovan far left), who has “been quick to respond to many late night emails and made herself always accessible," which often necessitated trips to the Berkshires. The show, with two additional matinee performances added due to ticket demand, runs through November 16.
Hosts David Schecker and Vicki Bonnington (wearing a dress custom made from African textiles) with David Librizzi.
Cast members marcus d. harvey and Warren Jackson; Director of Communications at Shakespeare & CompanyElizabeth Aspenlieder with Thomas W. Barrett.
Ben Merrihew with Assistant Director Molly Clancy; WAM supporters Kristin and James Hatt flank Nick Webb, husband of van Ginhoven and board secretary.
Cast member Christina Gordon, WAM Board President Ashley Berridge and her husband, Brad Berridge, who wears many hats for WAM: sound, projection design and composer.
Stage manager Laura Gomez with her husband, Joe Suerchek; Corky Miller, mother of the playwright with Jessica Provenz, coordinating producer.
Cast member Sipiwe Moyo with the costume designer Govane Lohbaur and Douglas Seldin, who directed the fight scene in the play; Assistant Stage Manager Melissa Rao and Cory Colasessano.
Susie Weekes, here with cast member Tricia Alexandro, serves as the connection to the Housemothers of Mother of Peace Orphanage in Illovo, South Africa, which will receive profits from In Darfur.
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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
