Great Barrington Public Theater Rolls Out 2022 Summer Season

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — In summer 2022, from early June to mid-August, Great Barrington Public Theater is expanding its season to introduce a new Solo Festival with four premiere, full-length, single-actor plays, followed by two new ensemble plays on the main stage. 
 
The Solo Festival lineup includes premiere works featuring Berkshire resident, and writer/comedienne Alison Larkin, multiple Emmy-nominated actress Sharon Lawrence, as well as new works by actor/writers Will LeBow and James Morrison. The ensemble plays will include a brand-new comedy by Mark St Germain, as well as a new drama.
 
"After last season's ringing success, we decided to widen our lens celebrating the concept of new work," Artistic Director Jim Frangione said. "We're very excited about these new works, all of which revolve around themes of humanity that we hope will resonate with audiences as we emerge from months of isolation."
 
Great Barrington Public Theater will bring this run of new plays to the Liebowitz Black Box Theater and the McConnell Theater in the Daniel Arts Center at Bard College at Simon's Rock, Great Barrington. Tickets will be priced between $20 and $50.
 
"We invite every theater lover here in the Berkshires, Boston, the Hudson Valley, New York City and beyond to be with us for an especially lively summer," Deann Simmons Halper, Executive Director added. "We're thrilled to present new comedies and dramas with superb writers, actors and designers as we look forward to lighting up the summer on two separate stages."
 
The Public's season opens in the Daniel Arts Center's Liebowitz Black Box Theatre with the Great Barrington Public Solo Fest running June 3 – July 10. This four-show series begins with "Grief," the Musical…a Comedy, written and performed by Alison Larkin, with music by Gary Schreiner and directed by James Warwick (June 3 – 12). 
 
Next in the Great Barrington Public Solo Fest (June 16 – 19), is Robin Gerber's new play, "The Shot," based on the life of Katherine Graham, the Pulitzer Prize-winning publisher of The Washington Post. "The Shot" is directed by local writer and director Michelle Joyner and stars Emmy-nominated and award-winning actress Sharon Lawrence in the role of Katherine Graham.
 
"Leave Your Fears Here" (June 30 – July 10) is a memoir written and performed by stage and screen actor James Morrison. The play will be directed by Housatonic resident Robert Egan, Artistic Director of the internationally renowned Ojai Playwright's Conference, where this piece was developed. 
 
The final play in the Great Barrington Public Solo Fest is "The Bard The Beat The Blues." This piece will run in rotation throughout the Solo Fest (June 8 – July 8). 
 
On July 14 with "Public Speaking 101," a brand-new comedy by Berkshire playwright Mark St. Germain, will run at the McConnell Theater mainstage. It will run through July 24. Jim Frangione will direct.
 
From Aug 4 to Aug. 14 "Things I Know to Be True," by award-winning playwright Andrew Bovell (Broadway–When the Rain Stops Falling) will run. Great Barrington Public will present the East Coast premiere of this new play. Judy Braha will direct.
 
More information on the ten-week, two-stage season can be found in the coming weeks as plans roll out on the Great Barrington Public Theater site and on Facebook. Tickets will go on sale on April 1, but seating is limited, especially in the case of the Berkshire Solo Series. Early purchase is encouraged.
 

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Lt. Governor Driscoll Visits Great Barrington Businesses

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Housing Secretary Ed Augustus and state Rep. Leigh Davis are ready to chop wood out back of Pleasant and Main. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll did some holiday shopping on Main Street last week after announcing millions of federal Community Development Block Grant funds

She was glad to see an array of small-business owners thriving, and the eclectic items that Great Barrington has to offer. 

"We know that the vibrancy of communities can often be defined by what's happening on Main Street," she said. 

"It's great to be here in Great Barrington and see so many independent entrepreneurs who are running really, not only fun, but businesses that are doing well, and we want to try and find ways to uplift and support that work moving forward." 

State Rep. Leigh Davis coordinated a business tour with Pleasant and Main Cafe and General Store, Robbie's Community Market, and Butternut Ski Mountain. While downtown, Driscoll also stopped at Coco's Candy and Rob's Records and Audio. 

Earlier that day, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $33.5 million in federal CDBG funds at the Housatonic Community Center. Great Barrington, in conjunction with Egremont and Stockbridge, has been allocated $ 1.25 million to rehabilitate approximately 14 housing units.  A new Rural and Small Town Housing Choice Community designation for its Housing Choice Initiative was also launched. 

Davis emphasized the significance of the state announcing these dollars in the small village of Housatonic.  

Craig Bero, founder of Pleasant and Main, prepared desserts and hors d'oeuvres for the group at his cozy cafe across the street from the Housatonic Community Center. Bero opened more than a decade ago after migrating from New York City, and Pleasant and Main offers sustainable, organic meals for an affordable price while enjoying the museum of antiques that is the restaurant. 

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