Williamstown Theatre Festival Announces Special Events
WILLIAMSTOWN - The Williamstown Theatre Festival will host two very special events the next two Sundays. These events, which will feature Festival participants, are free and open to the public.This Sunday, July 20 at 7:30 p.m., former WTF apprentice Nate Corddry ("Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip"), who will appear in this summer's Not Waving by Ellen Melaver (August 6-17), and his real-life brother, Rob Corddry ("The Daily Show", Harold & Kumar) will read the squabbling siblings in Sam Sheppard's Pulitzer Prize winning play, True West, on the WTF Main Stage. This modern classic is an explosive exploration of family rivalry as two very different brothers attempt to sell Hollywood their version of the great American Western. The brothers Corddry will be joined by Debra Jo Rupp ("That 70s Show"), who will appear in the Festival's Main Stage production of A Flea in Her Ear (July 30-August 10).
Next Sunday, July 27 at 4 p.m., Theresa Rebeck (Mauritius, The Water's Edge), playwright of The Understudy (on the Nikos Stage from July 23-August 3), will read from and sign copies of her debut novel, Three Girls and Their Brother, after the 2 p.m. matinee performance of her play. Rebeck's novel offers a clear-eyed look at celebrity culture—and it's not all parties, photo shoots, and champagne. For anyone who's ever wanted a glimpse inside the celebrity fast lane or secretly wished to be the next "It" girl, Three Girls and Their Brother (Shaye Areheart Books) is a must-read. The event, co-hosted by Williamstown Theatre Festival and Water Street Books, will offer patrons the chance to ask questions of the author and to purchase copies of Rebeck's novel in the theatre lobby.
On Friday August 1 at 3 p.m., a reading of Jonathan Marc Sherman's Knickerbocker will complete the Williamstown Theatre Festival's Fridays @ 3 reading series. Sherman (Sophistry, Evolution) will join writers Charles Evered, John Shea, Beau Willimon, Noah Haidle and Tracey Scott Wilson in visiting Williamstown for a reading of his new play. Fridays @ 3 invites writers to work on their scripts with Festival artists and guests, and includes a reading of 2007 Weissberger Award winner Tracey Scott Wilson's play The Good Negro. Readings take place Friday afternoons from July 4 to August 8 at 3 p.m. at the Paresky Center on the Williams College campus.
August 1: Knickerbocker by Jonathan Marc Sherman
Directed by Justin Waldman
"Are you ready?" The question looms over Jerry as the months tick by and his unborn son grows from the size of a peach to the size of, well, a baby. As the birth date creeps ever nearer, will the advice, encouragement and warnings of friends and family make Jerry more or less ready? The awe and terror of becoming a new parent shine through Jonathan Marc Sherman's newest play as he examines whether one can ever truly be ready for parenthood.
The other remaining Fridays @ 3 readings are:
July 18: War Story by Beau Willimon
Directed by Amanda Charlton
A friendship forged over a blackjack table has surprising ramifications for Shaun, an army truck driver serving his tour of duty in Iraq. Worlds away from Shaun's battle zone, the enterprising young Jeff is blazing a trail through the business world. Deftly weaving these young men's stories, Beau Willimon's play examines the choices people make to get ahead—or to just save their own skins.
July 25: What is the Cause of Thunder? by Noah Haidle
Directed by Justin Waldman
After 27 years on the same soap opera, Ada is starting to confuse her art and her life. But after so many years of acting, her art is her life. Noah Haidle's poignant comedy brings us the hilarity of day-time drama alongside the harsher, but often equally funny, realities of life.
August 8: The Good Negro by Tracey Scott Wilson
2007 Weissberger Award for Playwriting Winner
Directed by Liesl Tommy
Tracey Scott Wilson takes us into the heart of the 1960's Civil Rights Movement in Alabama. Against a constantly shifting landscape and under the ever-watchful eye of the FBI, a trio of emerging Black leaders must conquer their individual demons, everyday Black men and women must overcome their fears, and the local Ku Klux Klan fights for its old way of life.
These events are free and open to the public. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling 413-597-3400 or by sending an email to: tickets@wtfestival.org. The Williamstown Main Stage and Nikos Stage are located at the '62 Center for Theatre and Dance, 1000 Main St, Williamstown, MA 01267. Information about and tickets for the rest of the 2008 Williamstown Theatre Festival Season can be obtained by calling 413-597-3400 or by logging on to www.wtfestival.org.
