Berkshire Theatre Group Adds 'Post-Hurricane Parties'
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That's why it is such a great idea for the Berkshire Theatre Group to plan a series of "Post-Hurricane Parties" as part of the final week of summer performances on the Berkshire Theatre Festival campus, and everyone is invited! With two comedies on the Fitzpatrick and Unicorn stages, there will be laughs, high spirits and a chance for neighbors to compare notes on how they fared with Irene.
Choose from either the "serious" comedy "Period of Adjustment" by Tennessee Williams (and directed by David Auburn at the Fitzpatrick Main Stage) or the brand-new play "Birthday Boy" (by Chris Newbound and directed by Wes Grantom at the Unicorn Theatre).
At intermission of the shows, the Berkshire Theatre Group will be providing everyone in the audience with a free drink and a chance to be glad we survived the hurricane and its cleanup and are finally able to enjoy life again.
Says Artistic Director and CEO Kate Maguire, "It has obviously been a difficult time for all of us. We want to offer everyone a chance to escape from the challenges of the cleanup and celebrate the end of another great summer."
To get your tickets for the show, which includes the complimentary drink, call the BTG ticket office at 413298-5576 or go to BerkshireTheatre.org. Tickets can also be purchase in person at the ticket office at 83 East Main St. in Stockbridge. Ticket office hours are 10 a.m. to showtime, Monday through Saturday.
About "Period of Adjustment," iBerkshires critic Larry Murray called it, "A sly and whacky comedy with a belly full of laughs in which Tennessee Williams reveals his lighter side." It tells the comedic story of Ralph Bates, a Korean War hero facing problems with his in-laws. His former comrade George has just married the beautiful but naive Isabel, but he's suffering with the shakes. They meet up on a snowy Christmas Eve in Tennessee where all of their problems come to a head. A self-described "serious comedy," Williams has once again filled the stage with compelling characters dealing with the most difficult of problems in real ways.
"Birthday Boy" (officially opening Wednesday) is written by local playwright Chris Newbound. It is about Matt who as he nears his 40th birthday and finds himself at a crossroads in his life. His wife, Arianne, wants to take a mud-season vacation to Vermont. His job is safe, though far from stimulating. When he begins a flirtation with a comely colleague he finds himself discovering just how absurd everyday life can be. This world premiere work provides a comic look at marriage, life and growing older.
Performances for "Period" only are Wednesday at 7 p.m. and Thursday at 2 p.m.; performances for both are Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 8.
Larry Murray is a contributor to iBerkshires.com and offers reviews and arts news from around the region at Berkshire On Stage.
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