CASTING AND CREATIVE TEAMS FOR BOEING BOEING NEXT TO NORMAL A TENDER THING FORGIVENESS

MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday, June 6, 2024

BARRINGTON STAGE COMPANY ANNOUNCES CASTING AND CREATIVE TEAMS FOR BOEING BOEING, NEXT TO NORMAL, A TENDER THING, AND FORGIVENESS

(Pittsfield, MA – June 6, 2024) – Barrington Stage Company (BSC), under the leadership of Artistic Director Alan Paul, is pleased to announce casting for four of the company’s 30th anniversary season productions.

“As we launch Barrington Stage Company’s 30th anniversary, we are so proud to welcome a range of extraordinary talent to the Berkshires, both old friends and others making their first appearance on our stages,” said Alan Paul. “From the uproarious comedy of Boeing Boeing to the poignant depths of Next to Normal, the heartrending exploration of timeless love in A Tender Thing to the profound journey of Forgiveness, BSC audiences will encounter unforgettable stories that will resonate with them.”

BOYD QUINSON STAGE, 30 Union Street

BOEING BOEING
Marc Camoletti’s hilarious 1960 French farce, Boeing Boeing (July 17-August 3), translated by Beverley Cross & Francis Evans, won a new generation of fans with a critically acclaimed, award-winning Broadway production in 2008. In Paris in the swinging ’60s, playboy Bernard, with help from his housekeeper Berthe, keeps a rotating group of flight attendants on standby. But with the arrival of long-lost friend Robert and the new Boeing jet, Bernard’s plans hit some turbulence.

Joining previously announced BSC Associate Artists Mark H. Dold (BSC: Waiting for Godot, Harry Clarke, Freud’s Last Session) as Robert, Christopher Innvar (BSC: The Importance of Being Earnest; A Doll’s House, Part 2; Private Lives, Faith Healer) as Bernard, and Debra Jo Rupp (BSC: Dr. Ruth, All the Way, Ring ‘Round the Moon, To Kill A Mockingbird and The Laramie Project) as Berthe, will be Gisela Chípe (BSC: 10×10 New Play Festival 2024; Broadway: POTUS) as Gloria, Stephanie Jean Lane (BSC debut; Off-Broadway: Sleep No More) as Gabriella and Kate MacCluggage (BSC: Gertrude and Claudius; Broadway: The Farnsworth Invention) as Gretchen. BSC Founding Artistic Director Julianne Boyd will direct Boeing Boeing.

The production will feature scenic design by Kristen Robinson, costume design by Sarah Jean Tosetti, lighting design by David Lander and sound design by Fabian Obispo. Intimacy director is Leigh Zimmerman, dialect coach is Amanda Quaid, clowning consultant is Michael F. Toomey. Production Stage Manager is Ryan Goshman. Assistant Stage Manager is Merit Glover.

NEXT TO NORMAL

BSC Artistic Director Alan Paul directs Next to Normal (August 13-September 8), in a co-production with Round House Theatre in Washington, DC, where it was hailed as an “impeccable, vibrant musical revival” by the Washington Post. Next to Normal, which will close the Boyd-Quinson Stage season, features music by Tom Kitt (Broadway: Bring It On, If/Then), and book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey (Broadway: If/Then, The Last Ship).

BSC’s production will star Natalie Joy Johnson (Broadway: Lempicka, Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde) as Diana and BSC Associate Artist Alan H. Green (BSC: Who Could Ask for Anything More? The Songs of George Gershwin, The Hills are Alive with Rodgers & Hammerstein; Broadway: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, School of Rock) as Dan, with Adante Carter (National Tour: Mean Girls) as Gabe, Madison McBride (TV: “Full Circle” (Max); Regional: Chicken & Biscuits) as Natalie, Ben Clark (Regional: Next to Normal, Elegies: A Song Cycle) as Henry and Joseph Morales (National: Hamilton, In the Heights) as Dr. Madden.

The production will feature choreography by Eamon John Foley, scenic design by Wilson Chin, costume design by Helen Huang, lighting design by Cory Pattak, sound design by Ken Travis, projections design by Nick Hussong, and musical direction by Angela Steiner. Production Stage Manager is Jason Brouillard.

The original Broadway production, produced by David Stone, James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, Patrick Catullo, and Second Stage Theatre, won three 2009 Tony Awards including Best Score and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The show recently received its London premiere in a critically acclaimed production that is transferring to the West End. Next to Normal is licensed by Music Theatre International.
GERMAIN STAGE, 36 Linden Street

A TENDER THING

The St. Germain Stage season opens with the regional premiere of A Tender Thing (June 25-July 20) by Ben Power (Broadway: The Lehman Trilogy), which will be directed by Alan Paul.

Originally staged by the Royal Shakespeare Company, this charming and elegiac two-character play imagines what would have happened if Romeo and Juliet had not died as teenagers but had instead lived to old age.

BSC’s production will star Derek Smith (Broadway: Ring Round the Moon, The Lion King) as Romeo and Candy Buckley (BSC: Cabaret; Broadway: Cabaret, Thoroughly Modern Millie) as Juliet.

A Tender Thing will feature scenic design by Marsha Ginsberg, costume design by Ricky Reynoso, lighting design by Robert Weizel and sound design and music by Fabian Obispo. Movement is by Mayte Natalio. Voice and text consultant is Lisa Beley. Production Stage Manager is Jason Brouillard.

FORGIVENESS

Forgiveness (July 30-August 25) is a world premiere play by Mark St. Germain (BSC: Eleanor; Dr. Ruth, All the Way; Freud’s Last Session; The Happiest Man on Earth) and directed by Ron Lagomarsino (BSC: Chester Bailey, The Happiest Man on Earth). The play is set in Minnesota where prisoners are allowed to plead their case in front of the Governor, in a bid to be returned to society. In this interactive production, audiences will help determine who is worthy of forgiveness.

The cast of Forgiveness will feature Joey Collins (BSC: Scott & Hem; Broadway: Rock ’n’ Roll, The Glass Menagerie), Darlene Hope (Off-Broadway: Sistas: the Musical, Normalcy), Caesar Samayoa (Broadway: Come From Away, How to Dance in Ohio) and Peggy Pharr Wilson (BSC: 10×10 New Play Festival, Boca, Gaslight).

Scenic design is by Brian Prather, costume design by Dina El-Aziz, lighting design by Reza Behjat and sound design by Brendan Aanes. Production Stage Manager is Leslie Sears. Forgiveness is commissioned BSC’s Sydelle Blatt New Works Fund.

The St. Germain Stage season will conclude with the regional premiere of Primary Trust (September 18-October 13), winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, by actress/playwright Eboni Booth and directed by Jennifer Chang. This play, about a bookstore worker who loses his job and must find a new way forward for himself, delighted Off-Broadway audiences last year at Roundabout Theatre Company. Casting for Primary Trust will be announced in coming weeks.

Casting for BSC is by McCorkle Casting LTD.

THE BARRINGTON STAGE COMPANY 2024 SEASON

Boyd-Quinson Stage

30 Union Street, Pittsfield, MA.

La Cage aux Folles

Book by Harvey Fierstein

Based on the play La Cage Aux Folles by Jean Poiret

Music & Lyrics by Jerry Herman

Choreographed by Paul McGill

Directed by Mike Donahue

June 11-July 6

Opening Night: Sunday, June 16 at 3:00 PM

Sponsored by Berkshire Money Management

“The best of times is now!” Come join the party at the hottest nightclub in St. Tropez, home to Jerry Herman & Harvey Fierstein’s hit musical comedy. This spectacular show about love and acceptance is as heartwarming as it is hilarious, and it has so much to say about what it means to be a family.

Boeing Boeing

By Marc Camoletti

Translated by Beverley Cross & Francis Evans

Directed by Julianne Boyd

Starring Mark H. Dold, Christopher Innvar, and Debra Jo Rupp

July 17-August 3

Opening Night: Sunday, July 21 at 5:00 PM

Fly to Paris in the swinging ’60s and meet playboy Bernard. With help from his housekeeper Bertha who plays flight control, Bernard keeps a rotating group of flight attendants on standby. But with the arrival of a long-lost friend and the new Boeing jet, Bernard’s plans hit some turbulence. Fasten your seatbelts for a “deliciously, deliriously innocent sex comedy.” (The New York Times)

Next to Normal

Music by Tom Kitt

Book & Lyrics by Brian Yorkey

Choreography by Eamon Foley

Directed by Alan Paul

Co-Production with Round House Theatre, Bethesda, MD.

August 13 – September 8
Opening Night: Saturday, August 17 at 8:00 pm

“Impeccable,” proclaimed The Washington Post—a “vibrant musical revival.” Director Alan Paul infuses his production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical with live video and multimedia, capturing the psychology and inner life of the musical’s six characters in ways both intimate and epic. Centered around a family’s ongoing struggles to overcome issues from their past and the underpinnings of suburban life, Paul’s all-new production blew DC audiences away. And now it’s coming to Barrington Stage.

St. Germain Stage

36 Linden Street, Pittsfield, MA

Regional Premiere

A Tender Thing

By Ben Power

Directed by Alan Paul

June 25-July 20

Opening Night: Friday, June 28 at 8:00 pm

What if Romeo and Juliet did not die as teenagers, but lived on into old age? Ben Power has brilliantly taken Shakespeare’s words, rearranged and reimagined the play’s scenes, and the result is a provocative tale of lasting love and commitment. First staged by the Royal Shakespeare Company, this Romeo and Juliet is about the deep, caring relationship that can only be forged by time.

World Premiere

Forgiveness

By Mark St. Germain
Directed by Ron Lagomarsino

July 30-August 25

Opening Night: Saturday, August 3 at 8:00 pm
In Minnesota, a convict who has served time for anything from drug dealing to murder is allowed to seek forgiveness from the Governor. They have 10 minutes to plead their case. It’s a dramatic, pressurized process where convicted criminals plead to be accepted back into the fold or be stuck forever on the outskirts of society. In this world premiere and interactive production, you will help decide who is worthy of forgiveness.

Winner! 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Regional Premiere

Primary Trust

By Eboni Booth

Directed by Jennifer Chang

September 18-October 13

Opening Night: Saturday, September 21 at 8:00 pm

Kenneth, a 38-year-old bookstore worker, has a happy life filled with simple pleasures like Mai Tais with his lifelong best friend. But he is shaken from his routines after a sudden layoff. In finding a new job at a local bank, he starts to open up to others while also opening up moments from his past. The Observer says, Primary Trust “will restore your faith in theater’s elemental storytelling powers.”

TICKET INFORMATION

Single tickets for the 2024 season are on sale now. For more information, visit BarringtonStageCo.org.

ABOUT BARRINGTON STAGE COMPANY

Barrington Stage Company (BSC), under the leadership of Artistic Director Alan Paul, is an award-winning theatre located in Pittsfield, MA, in the heart of the Berkshires. Co-founded in 1995 by Julianne Boyd, BSC’s mission is to produce top-notch, compelling work; to develop new plays and musicals; and to engage our community with vibrant, inclusive educational outreach programs. Alan Paul succeeded Ms. Boyd as the company’s Artistic Director in 2022.

BSC attracts over 60,000 patrons annually and has gained national recognition for its superior-quality productions and comprehensive educational programming, including the award-winning Playwright Mentoring Project, the Musical Theatre Conservatory, Youth Theatre, KidsAct! and other initiatives. The company has become integral to the economic revitalization of downtown Pittsfield.

BSC’s reputation for excellence began with a smash revival of Cabaret that moved to Boston in 1997 for an extended run. The theatre’s prominence grew with the world premiere of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee by William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin (BSC 2004; Broadway 2005-2008, winner of two Tony Awards). Other notable productions include the world premiere of Christopher Demos-Brown’s American Son (BSC 2016; Broadway 2018); Mark St. Germain’s Freud’s Last Session (BSC 2009; Off-Broadway 2010-2012); Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden & Adolph Green’s On the Town (BSC 2013; Broadway 2014, four Tony Award nominations); Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Company, starring Aaron Tveit (2017); and West Side Story in honor of Leonard Bernstein and Jerome Robbins’ centenaries (2018).

BSC develops and commissions new work with two programs: PlayWorks, which supports the creation of new plays, and the Musical Theatre Lab, which develops new musicals. Since 1995, BSC has produced 45 new works, 22 of which have moved to New York and major US regional theatres.

BSC is the recipient of 15 Berkshire Theatre Awards for the 2023 season, including Outstanding Production of a Musical for its production of Cabaret, directed by Alan Paul, and the Sally And Robert Sugarman Award for a world premiere of a New Play or Musical for The Happiest Man on Earth, by Mark St. Germain.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA

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