Church and State

The Berkshire Theatre Group is celebrating its 90th season with diverse and interesting productions. One of these is Church and State at the Unicorn Theatre until June 30th. This  ninety minute play is followed each performance, Monday through Saturday, with a talk-back led by an individual or individuals who can make unique contributions to the discussion because of their relationship to the theme of the play.

Besides being an absorbing play, this production is a valuable community contribution. The intimate Unicorn Theatre is particularly well suited to such discussions. Bob and I were impressed by the play which discusses an important contemporary issue and the talk-back which followed.

Click below for our discussion of the play.

Church and State Discussion

Then go to Berkshire Theatre Group’s web site for tickets or call 413-997-4444. There is a list of talk-back leaders there as well.

Berkshire Theatre Group

To read reviews of the play, click on

Berkshire Theatre Critics Association

Mothers and Sons The Dorset Players

The Dorset Players is a vital community theatre which presents first-rate productions during the fall, winter and spring. They rent their theatre to the Dorset Theatre Festival in the summer. This offers Dorset and the surrounding area quality theatre all year round. The Dorset Players schedule includes, comedy, drama, musicals, one act plays and children’s theatre.  Bob and I have enjoyed their productions over the years. We also enjoy talking with the casts and directors about their work since they provide a unique perspective on the value of community theatre.

For their  upcoming production of Mothers and Sons,  we spoke with the producer Cheryl Gushee, the director Sherry Kratzer and the cast of the play with the exception of the two boys who share the role of Bud, the young son of Cal and Mike, played by Paul Michael Brinker and Mike Cutler. Lynne Marcus plays the mother of Andre, Cal’s deceased lover. Once again we were treated to an insightful discussion of the process of putting on a play. Sherry Kratzer talked about the process of directing helping us understand and appreciate how the magic of theatre happens.

Click below to listen to the cast, director and producer. It will enhance your enjoyment of the play which you should not miss.

Mothers and Sons interview

The play opens on March 2nd. To order tickets, click on the link to their website below.

The Dorset Players

 

Long Day’s Journey Into Night

Long Day’s Journey Into Night runs at the Weston Playhouse until September 3.  This the the third in  Weston’s Celebrating the  Classics series.  Bob and I saw the original production of Long Day’s Journey…  on Broadway and have seen several productions since. However, as with Weston’s production last year of All My Sons, we gained new insight and appreciation of this masterwork by Eugene O’Neil.  No one should think because they once saw a play, that they don’t have to  see a different production of it. Each cast and director brings a fresh approach to the work, particularly if it is a play of the quality of this one. There will be a week of matinee performances for students who will be lucky  for their first encounter with this play to be with this cast.

Bob and I were fortunate enough to interview Derek Smith who plays James Tyrone, the father of this tormented family. Derek generously saw us between the matinee and evening performances. Listen to our talk with him by clicking below.

Interview with Derek Smith

Then go to the Weston Playhouse website to order tickets.

Weston Playhouse website

 

Click below on Weston 101 for more background information about the play and an interview with the director.

Weston 101

This

This plays at Barrington Stage’s St. Germain Theatre until August  27.  This should not be missed. The audience drops in on a group of old friends who like to play games. That is what they are doing when the play opens. In some ways this is a metaphor for their relationships throughout the rest of the play. An outsider enters the picture and provides some perspective. What looks like an episode of  Friends morphs into something quite different.

Bob and I had the pleasure of interviewing the entire cast. Their discussion of their work and the actor’s life is worth sharing. To hear it, click on the links below

This Part 1

This Part 2

For tickets and information about the rest of Barrington Stage’s season, click on their website below

Barrington Stage

Erika Dorfler, Paris Remillard, Eddie Boroevich and Mark Dold

 

Mark Dold and Julia Coffey